November/December 2007

Vision 2020: The Movie

Dozens of participants, seven cities, six state and local elected officials, a five-person film crew and a congressman. No, it’s not our version of the Christmas carol about “a partridge in a pear tree.” It’s part of what was involved with the filming of the video for the Vision 2020 Campaign (www.2020wi.org). The video, premiering in January 2008, will be a key outreach tool for the campaign and will be used as part of presentations to statewide audiences, helping to build political will to end child poverty.

If you’re thinking that this video will be nothing more than the typical bleak and depressing rant about child poverty, think again. The script, written by WCCF staff, aims to remind all of us that change is possible, that we already know what policy solutions will help us achieve the goal of ending child poverty, and that actually achieving that goal is simply a matter of building that groundswell of support and momentum throughout the state.

In late September, producer Bob Trondson led his crew around the state in a whirlwind filming tour. From Menomonee Falls to Menasha, Bob and his crew had the daunting task of capturing images and interviews that not only explain what the campaign is about and demonstrate why tackling poverty is so important, but do it in a way that doesn’t leave people so overwhelmed by statistics or by the complex realities of poverty that they feel like there’s nothing that can be done.

The video highlights success stories of Wisconsin advocates and programs whose work is making a difference in the fight against poverty. Michelle Bryant, aide to State Senator Lena Taylor, shares how a quality early childhood program made a world of difference to her and her son and why we have to ensure that every child in Wisconsin has access to these programs. Paula Morgen and Nancy Heykes, two of the organizers of Project Promise Fox Cities, discuss the amazing success of their community-wide poverty focus. Nicole Harrison and Cetra Reed discuss how the CAP Services Skills Enhancement Program is transforming the lives (and earnings) of low-wage workers. And Mike Soika, Bethany Sanchez and Steve Adams describe their phenomenal legislative victory that created a local affordable housing trust fund, generating millions of dollars for affordable housing initiatives at the local level.

More than the interviews with these articulate and impassioned advocates, the video illustrates with humor and powerful, uplifting imagery the transformation we could make if we created a statewide network of effective poverty advocates.

The video will be premiered in January at three events in Appleton, Madison and Milwaukee. More information is coming soon – watch your email for an invitation! An edited version of the video, as well as discussion guides, will also be available on the Vision 2020 website in January. If you’d like to sponsor a showing of the video and discussion about poverty in your community, please contact Vicky Selkowe at vselkowe@wccf.org or (608) 284-0580, ext. 326.