AM at The Grand – Meaningful Stories Shared
by Kayla Kim, AM Development Associate
Associated Ministries and the Meaningful Movies Project hosted their first community movie screening and panel discussion this past Sunday.
“AM at The Grand” took place on May 21st, 2023. The aim of this event was to meet and engage with community members around the issue of homelessness. We filled the theater with 60+ new and old friends to watch the powerful documentary, “Stories of Us: Camp Second Chance”, followed by a panel discussion with the director and several guest speakers.
We began the afternoon event with a live performance from Dain Norman (of the Chrysalis Effect). Michael Yoder (Executive Director of Associated Ministries) and Melinda Raebyne (“Stories of Us: Camp Second Chance” filmmaker) opened the program with introductions to AM and the film, along with a land acknowledgement and several movie trailers. Stories were shared and tears were shed as the audience was transported to and immersed in the lived experiences/realities of those residing at Camp Second Chance, an encampment founded by the homeless in Seattle. Following the movie, the audience asked several questions and listened as the moderator (Melinda) facilitated a discussion with our panelists (Dain, Dakoda, and Sherry). The night ended with Michael Yoder discussing AM programs/services, thanking sponsors and partners, and inviting people into different partnership opportunities.
We are so grateful for this one-of-a-kind experience that was filled with acknowledgement, education, and heartfelt moments that we will never forget. We are looking forward to more opportunities to engage and mobilize our community around the issue of homelessness and hope to host many more special events like this one!
A very special thank you to our sponsors and partners that made this event possible: Mary Sudar – Appraisals and Estate Sales, BACS – Bill Acker Consulting Services, Poppin’ Notary, The Grand Cinema, The Meaningful Movies Project-Tacoma, the Meaningful Movies Project, Melinda Raebyne films, and Súi Productions.