Building Independence

We attended the world premier of a very inspiring documentary last evening entitled “Building Independence”. The film is the work of local filmmaker Angela Alford who followed the efforts of the Building Independence Project during the previous four years.

The Building Independence Project was formed to build and maintain safe, affordable housing for low-income adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities through a partnership with the residents, their families, funders, and community volunteers. To date this partnership has developed independent living opportunities for 21 individuals.

In the film, Angela highlights four residents and their families as the new residents prepare to move into the new homes and take their first steps toward independence. The film then follows the residents in their first two years of independent living and documents their remarkable and inspiring life changes.

On a personal note I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity on this project so it was satisfying to see the positive results of our efforts. Most of the time volunteers and donors don’t have a chance to see what happens after their generosity. I hope you trust me when I say that this movie shows that your generosity is multiplied many, many times.