Special Screening & Panel - “Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness"

Explore actionable solutions to one of the most pressing issues of our time—homelessness—at a moment when our local community is reporting the fastest rising rate of homelessness in our history. Sponsored by the University of Michigan School of Social Work ENGAGE, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Poverty Solutions, and the City of Ann Arbor this event features critically-acclaimed director Don Sawyer’s powerful new documentary, , examines the root causes of homelessness and explores comprehensive solutions. Filmed over 40,000 miles, it captures insights from 12 cities and interviews with dozens of service providers and policymakers, all driven by one key question: “How can we solve homelessness in a comprehensive way?”

This event is part of a national campaign by A Bigger Vision Films, which includes a 40-city screening tour featuring post-screening panels, Q&As, and actionable calls to action, along with follow-up activities for audiences and communities. The campaign aims to shift the national discourse on homelessness by addressing both its upstream causes—such as economic instability and systemic barriers—and downstream solutions, which combine stable housing with robust supportive services.

📅 Date: March 11th

🕔 Time: 6:00–9:00 PM (doors open at 5:15pm)

📍 Location: Michigan Theater

The screening will be followed by an engaging panel co-moderated by School of Social Work Dean Beth Angell and City of Ann Arbor Mayor, Christopher Taylor, featuring panelists that include:

• Don Sawyer, the film’s director
• Homelessness and housing public policy experts
• Local community and elected leaders

The panel will address the alarming rise in homelessness locally and nationally, highlighting innovative policy solutions that are being explored in our city and county. This event is free and open to the public and University of Michigan community. Eventbrite link to register is coming soon.

University of Michigan faculty research on poverty, homelessness, and related issues will be showcased in the lobby from 5:15-6 pm prior to the event.

Host or Publisher Ann Arbor Housing Commission