[COMM-ORG] Film Recommendation

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From:     joanminieri at aol.com

Hi...I wanted to share some information about a useful film I showed in 
two organizing classes last semester, that the filmmakers Kathy Leichter 
and Jonathan Skurnik are re-publicizing.  Kathy and Jonathan documented 
campaigns led by Community Voices Heard (where I am a co-founder and 
former Board member) and NY ACORN in the late 1990's to win legislation 
for transitional jobs and a grievance procedure for workfare workers. I 
wanted to bring a campaign to life for my graduate students in social 
work and public service and the film really did that.  The students also 
responded deeply to the development of the leaders and an organizer 
featured in the film, and we were able use their experiences as a 
ongoing point of reference.  Kathy and Jonathan have trained community 
leaders to show the film and lead discussions about it.  Information 
from the filmmakers follows below....Joan Minieri


An Award-Winning Documentary About
Economic Justice, Community Organizing and Workers’ Rights
< /SPAN>

" *** Recommended! A well-shot, nicely edited piece of documentary 
journalism that effectively manages to convey both the frustrations of 
individuals caught in the web of welfare and their growing political 
empowerment through grassroots activism." –VIDEO LIBRARIAN

A DAY’S WORK, A DAY’S PAY
Three welfare recipients fight for just and effective welfare reform.

Perfect for classes in Law, Community Organizing,
Social Movements, Labor Studies, Urban Studies,
Political Science, Social Policy, Social Work,
Urban Studies, Welfare Studies.
“A DAY’S WORK, A DAY’S PAY features workfare participants who refused to 
take the brutality of welfare reform lying down. Drawin g almost 
exclusively on the typically unheard voices of recipients, this 
beautiful film offers an amazingly authentic picture of workfare and the 
people that struggle against it. This compelling story of brave 
low–income individuals organizing effectively for social change should 
not be missed.”
—Mimi Abramovitz, Professor, Hunter College School of Social Work
“A brilliant film about poverty, welfare reform, and the spirit of the 
people who suffer both. We will become a better country with better 
policies if every American sees this.”
—Frances Fox Piven, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and 
Sociology, City University of New York Graduate School

A DAY’S WORK, A DAY’S PAY follows three welfare recipients in New York 
City from 1997 to 2000 as they participate in one of the largest and 
most aggressive workfare programs in the nation, the Work Experience 
Program. They face major obstacles such as laws that classify them as 
non-workers, a mayor and general public that is unsympathetic to their 
plight, and a national anti-welfare sentiment that stigmatizes them 
further. When faced with the injustices of workfare, these welfare 
recipients become leaders, demanding jobs creation, health and safety 
protections and a grievance procedure for workfare workers. This film 
captures the impact of historic changes in the American social safety 
net and the heroism these changes inspire. A DAY’S WORK, A DAY’S PAY was 
broadcast on PBS in 2001 and won the prestigious Harry Chapin Media Award.
TO PURCHASE A COPY PLEASE CLICK HERE
or call New Day Films at 888.367.9154

The filmmakers and individuals from the film are also available to speak 
to your class or at conferences. If interested, or if you need sliding 
scale pricing, please contact Kathy Leichter at 917-842-5388 or 
kathy at mintleafproductions.com.

"This powerful film dramatically portrays the real-life impact that law 
has on human beings. It shows how welfare recipients can be organized to 
stand up for their rights, and in the process transform themselves from 
victims of the system to citizens who take control of their lives and 
futures." —Stephen Wizner, Professor of Law, Yale Law School

To learn more about the film go to: www.mintleafproductions.com/adw.html
Filmmakers Jonathan Skurnik and Kathy Leichter are award-winning 
filmmakers whose films have been broadcast internationally and have 
screened in hundreds of classrooms, film festivals and community 
settings across the globe.

Joan Minieri

"Tools for Radical Democracy:
How to Organize for Power in Your Community"
by Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos
(Jossey-Bass, 2007)
http://www.toolsforradicaldemocracy.com

<http://www.toolsforradicaldem%20%20ocracy.com/>