Voices from Broad Street Ministry: Press Kit

Press Release

Click here to download the Press Release as a pdf.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Emma McClain / 215-760-6848 / emcclain@devinepartners.com

“I Have A Story To Tell”: New, Virtual Film Fest — “Voices From Broad Street Ministry” —

to Premiere Oct. 28

Directed by Philadelphia documentary filmmaker Glenn Holsten, series presents stories of strength, resilience, and creativity in the words of Broad Street Ministry guests

Red-carpet premiere and block party is free and open to the community

PHILADELPHIA (Oct. 11, 2021) – In Philadelphia, the nation’s poorest big city, hundreds of thousands of people live in need of something – shelter, food, clothing, jobs, health care, family, peace. Every one of those people has a story, and for so many, they are stories of hope.  Opening Oct. 28, a new film series, “Voices from Broad Street Ministry,” turns the camera on individuals who share, in their own words, their aspirations, loss, love, and life experiences – the kind of stories that are bound to move, inspire, and provide perspective for audiences everywhere.

In films that are just a few minutes each, viewers learn about David Woods’ one true love; Chris King’s regard for and learnings from the game of chess; David Charles Garvin’s motivational self-talk; and Princess McGeachy’s musicality and family. In all, 11 guests and six volunteers make up the “Voices of Broad Street Ministry.”

The 21-part series is set to debut on Thursday, Oct. 28 at a free community event that is part red-carpet premiere and part block party at Pine and Broad Streets, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

From that point forward, “Voices from Broad Street Ministry” will drop a new film daily during its Virtual Film Fest through November.

Broad Street Ministry is an organization that helps Philadelphians living in deep poverty stabilize their lives through a unique offering of meals and social services.  It partnered with award-winning filmmaker Glenn Holsten and Freshfly, a Philadelphia-based production company that specializes in documentary-style work, to share the stories of Broad Street Ministry guests – guests being an intentional term for the people who access services at the nonprofit social services agency. “Voices from Broad Street Ministry” is the result and is supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage.

“This is a storytelling project about what people have, not about what they don’t have,” said Holsten who worked with Broad Street Ministry guests through a series of creative workshops to capture their stories of strength, resilience, and creativity. “Many guests experience a crisis of invisibility. When you are experiencing homelessness, people don't make eye contact or acknowledge your existence. Regardless, ‘I have a story to tell’ is a universal human cry,” he added.  “By sharing that story through a creative process, people find an outlet to express feelings and thoughts that they wouldn't otherwise have the chance to express. It can be cathartic, and often healing. It was that way for the guests who participated and for us as storytellers.  The process affirms that we do exist and that our stories matter.”

“These films run counter to the dominant, destructive narrative about our country's most marginalized populations. They further Broad Street Ministry’s mission of creating a more compassionate and just city and world,” said Laure Biron, Chief Executive Director of Broad Street Ministry. “The films also establish Broad Street Ministry as a community of love and care and connection, where individuals are welcome to experience our radical hospitality—creating a universal connectedness.”

FILM PREMIERE DETAILS – FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

As part of the “Voices of Broad Street Ministry” premiere on Oct. 28, many of the film series’ stars will be in attendance and have the opportunity to walk the event’s red carpet, if they wish.  They will be joined by Broad Street Ministry staff and supporters as well as neighbors, friends, city officials, including the Center City District, and members of Philadelphia’s film community.  The free event will include a preview of the film series, a gallery of art created by Broad Street Ministry guests, demonstrations of the organization’s new Community Hygiene Truck, and light refreshments.

To learn more about “Voices of Broad Street Ministry” and the people whose stories are featured, visit https://www.broadstreetministryvoices.org/.

About Broad Street Ministry

Broad Street Ministry is an organization that helps Philadelphians living in deep poverty stabilize their lives through a unique offering of meals and social services that is welcoming to everyone. Our long term vision is to meaningfully reduce the trauma and suffering caused by scarcity for Philadelphia's most vulnerable populations. With best-of-class social services and government partners, we are committed to working towards breaking the cycle of poverty, homelessness and hunger in Philadelphia.

About The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage

The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage is a multidisciplinary grantmaker and hub for knowledge-sharing, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, dedicated to fostering a vibrant cultural community in Greater Philadelphia. The Center invests in ambitious, imaginative, and catalytic work that showcases the region’s cultural vitality and enhances public life, and engages in an exchange of ideas concerning artistic and interpretive practice with a broad network of cultural practitioners and leaders.  For more information, visit www.pewcenterarts.org.

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Click here to download the Press Release as a pdf.

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