I became interested in creating
relationships and working with people with disabilities about four years ago.
When the Tikkun Olam Project was proposed to our San Francisco Diller Teen
Fellows group, I immediately knew what I was going to do for my project. I
created “Movie-ing Forward.” This is a group that integrates members of the community I had been
working with (no matter if they had disabilities or not) by attending Movie Nights with social time before and after the
movie, as well as other interactive events. The periodic movie nights and
events are held at different theaters and locations throughout Marin. I created
Movie-ing Forward to attempt to break the social barrier between these
community members who really aren’t all that different. Anyone is welcome!
At the first Movie Night, I
really enjoyed visiting with old friends from Cedar’s of Marin, which is an
assisted living program for adults with disabilities. I volunteered for Cedar’s
for two years, and it was very nice to see everyone again. I also enjoyed
making a new friend from Cedar’s. I had the pleasure of sitting next to him in
the movie called “Free Birds” and hearing his frequent laughs. Additionally, it
was really amazing to have some of my Diller friends and leader, Gabi, attend
my Movie Night. That is the kind of Diller support that I always really
appreciate.
I plan to hold the next movie
or event very soon, and I hope to expand it to an even broader range of the
community. As I did so before, I will invite organizations for people with
disabilities such as Cedar’s of Marin, Rec Inc., Oak Hill School, and groups
from local schools. I will also spread the word again to other community
members by posting flyers, sending emails, and creating a Facebook group. This
process of planning and executing these events, inspired by the Tikkun Olam
Project, applies to my life in the fact that it has encouraged me to enhance my
professional and leadership skills. It also allows me to stay in touch with old
Cedar’s of Marin friends as well as make new friends both with and without
disabilities, which is an example of how Movie-ing Forward is already beginning
to achieve its goal.
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