Community Conversation about the documentary film US&THEM and the complex paths that lead to homelessness, with a deep dive into the root causes of homelessness specific to our Seattle region

Presented by: Meaningful Movies at First Church Seattle 

Filmed over a decade, US&THEM is a deeply visceral film about transformation through human connection, by filmmaker Krista Loughton.

It all begins when filmmaker Krista Loughton is questioned by addiction expert Dr. Gabor Maté about her need to relieve pain in the world. This takes her back in time when she befriended four chronically homeless people to help them heal their lives.

In the film, the four charismatic people reveal the heartrending realities of their lives. The severe challenges of life on the street are portrayed with an unapologetic openness, in both emotive and humorous ways. All are struggling with addiction issues rooted in their painful childhood histories. […]  They display an extraordinary empathy and wisdom no one could have anticipated.

Loughton writes: “I found a mentor in Reverend Allen Tysick, a street minister who dedicated his life to serving the poorest of the poor. Watching him build a new facility for the street community inspired me to create change in my own way.”

Watch the documentary trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSCZogP4cM8

Register for a link to the documentary and to join the October 3 event:

https://firstchurchseattle.org/events/root-causes-of-homelessness-in-seattle/

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link to join the October 3 event.  Then, on September 20, you will receive an email with a link to watch the film at no cost to you and at your convenience any time from September 20 through October 3.

Guest Speaker for the October 3 event (pre-recorded lecture):

Dr. Gregg Colburn is an assistant professor of real estate in the University of Washington’s College of Built Environments. He has research interests in housing policy, housing markets, housing affordability, and homelessness, and he is the author of the forthcoming book, Homelessness is a Housing Problem (University of California Press).

Gregg entered academia after spending the first seventeen years of his professional life in the private sector. During this time, Gregg worked as an investment banker and private equity professional for leading firms such as Goldman Sachs and Citadel Investment Group. He earned his Ph.D. in Public Affairs at Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. Gregg’s additional academic training includes an M.S.W. from the University of Minnesota, an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, and a B.A. in Economics and Management from Albion College. Gregg enjoys teaching courses in housing, economics, and finance at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.