Voices From Broad Street Ministry

This is a film series about what people have, not about what they don't have.

In fact, it's a project about abundance.

Broad Street Ministry (BSM) is a well-regarded human services provider serving vulnerable populations in Philadelphia, the nation's poorest big city. For many BSM guests, encounters with the arts are as nourishing as any meal, helping to restore identity and hope and serving as a critical means of exploring all they are going through.

 Filmmaker Glenn Holsten worked with BSM guests to design and create a series of striking films that tell stories of strength, resilience, and creativity and to share them in innovative ways within the BSM community and with the city of Philadelphia and the world.

 Voices from Broad Street Ministry is a 21-part film series that was created in a series of workshops with BSM guests, Glenn and art therapist Michael Galarraga. Each film creatively presents the thoughts, ideas, and experiences of the BSM community. They include poetic works, musical performances, more traditional "documentary" style interview-based videos, and imaginative uses of text and imagery on screen.

These films run counter the dominant, destructive narrative about our country's most marginalized populations, and further BSM's mission of creating a more compassionate and just city and world.

 "I have a story to tell," is a universal human cry. Voices from Broad Street Ministry presents the undeniable humanity and creativity possessed by every member of our community.