Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness
Community Open Forum
Join us for the Beyond the Bridge Community Open Forum on Tuesday, March 10, at 5:00 p.m. at Connection Point Church (location pending confirmation). This forum brings together attendees of the Beyond the Bridge film and key community stakeholders to explore the history of homeless services in Tippecanoe County, review current programs, and engage in a guided Q&A. Participants will have the opportunity to take meaningful action by joining the Community Pledge, connecting with the task force, and enjoying pizza and bottled water.
Community Call to Action to End Homelessness in Greater Lafayette
The Moment – The Proposal – The Key Next Steps
The Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness screening made something unmistakably clear: homelessness in Greater Lafayette is urgent—and our community is ready to act.
The powerful film, the thoughtful panel discussion, and the public expressions of empathy and commitment from local mayors created real momentum. What emerged was more than concern; it was a shared desire to move from awareness to coordinated, long-term action. This moment presents a rare opportunity to align leadership, resources, and responsibility around solutions that don’t just manage homelessness—but work to end it.
To revisit the event that brought us together, check out the photos and panel video.
To view PHOTOS from the film screening, click HERE.
To watch the VIDEO of the panel discussion, click HERE.
If you would like to stay informed and become more engaged, click HERE to stay in the loop.
The Challenge — and What We Know Works
Greater Lafayette benefits from dedicated service providers, housing initiatives, faith communities, health care and behavioral health partners, and public agencies working every day. Yet homelessness persists and is growing more complex.
Housing costs continue to rise. Affordable units remain limited. Systems often operate in silos. Funding is fragile and vulnerable to economic shocks and policy changes. Proposed legislation that criminalizes homelessness risks increasing public costs while undermining evidence-based solutions.
The good news is that we know what works. Communities that successfully reduce homelessness share common elements:
- A long-term, sustainable plan
- Strong, visible cross-sector leadership
- Clear, shared goals with measurable outcomes
- Alignment across housing, health care, behavioral health, services, prevention, and policy
- Sustainable funding and accountability
Homelessness is solvable—but only when communities act together with focus and shared responsibility.
A Key Next Steps — Forum, Proposal & Invitation
Community Open Forum – Early March
To build on the momentum from the film event, the Beyond the Bridge Steering Committee will host a Community Open Forum in early March. This forum will bring together housing providers, service agencies, health care and behavioral health partners, faith leaders, business leaders, and public officials to share perspectives and help shape a coordinated, long-term approach. Stay tuned for more details.
A Proposal – Local Task Force on Homelessness
The Open Forum will also introduce a proposed Greater Lafayette Task Force on Homelessness, designed to provide sustained, cross-sector leadership focused on long-term solutions. The Task Force would align efforts, identify gaps and priorities, strengthen system resilience, and track progress transparently—without replacing existing agencies or managing day-to-day operations.
Community Event with James Mathy
Looking ahead, a second community meeting is planned in conjunction with a visit from James Mathy, Administrator of Milwaukee County Housing Services, who was featured in the Beyond the Bridge film. His consultation will help inform local strategy, funding approaches, and policy recommendations based on proven models. Stayed tuned for more details.
An Invitation – Attend, Endorse, Participate
The Greater Lafayette Beyond the Bridge Steering Committee invites you to:
- Attend and participate in the Community Open Forum & Meeting
- Endorse the Greater Lafayette Task Force on Homelessness
- Help identify leadership, expertise, and sustainable funding strategies
Greater Lafayette has the compassion and capacity to end homelessness. Now is the time to align our efforts—and act.
Hope for a Future Without Homelessness
Historic Gathering Sparks Bold Action Locally
On November 13, hundreds of community leaders united for an afternoon of film, conversation, and solutions-focused dialogue on homelessness in Greater Lafayette.
After viewing the film, Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness, the room was electric, filled with energy and hope from faith leaders, university leaders, business leaders, social and healthcare providers, and law and judicial professionals, including Magistrate Sarah Wyatt, Representatives Chris Campbell and Sheila Klinker, Senator Spencer Deery, and Mayors Erin Easter and Tony Roswarski.
Attendees were inspired by the film followed by remarks from filmmakers, Don Sawyer & Tim Hashko, and Chelsea Haring-Cozzi, CEO of CHIP Indy; and a dynamic panel moderated by Wes Tillett (LUM), featuring Representative Campbell, Magistrate Wyatt, Jennifer Layton (LTHC Homeless Services), and Dawn Baldwin, former unhoused resident and advocate. Closing remarks from Mayor Erin Easter (West Lafayette), Mayor Tony Roswarski (Lafayette) reinforced a shared commitment to bold, actionable solutions.
This landmark event energized the community, building momentum, collaboration, and hope for a future without homelessness. Stay tuned in 2026 for the next steps.
Film Screening & Community Conversation for Change
In Conjunction with National Homelessness Awareness Month
Ending Homelessness Starts With You
Homelessness affects every part of our community, and ending it requires a collective response. Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness brings together national, state, and local leaders, experts, and individuals with lived experience to share evidence-based solutions and practical insights. Attendees will learn how coordinated collaboration across legal, governmental, business, religious, university, health, and nonprofit sectors can provide stable housing, deliver comprehensive support services, and ultimately end homelessness in Greater Lafayette.
Beyond the Bridge – Schedule & Highlights
This event features a screening of the powerful documentary Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness. More than a film, this is a professional development opportunity and the start of a movement. Engage with panels, Q&A sessions, and community resources to take meaningful action on ending homelessness in Greater Lafayette.
Beyond the Bridge EVENT details:
- DATE – TODAY – Thursday, November 13, 2025
- TIME – 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- PLACE – Connection Point Church, 2541 Cumberland Avenue, West Lafayette, IN
- FREE – Must RSVP
- REFRESHMENTS
- Capacity: Up to 700 Guests
Beyond the Bridge Event SCHEDULE
- 1:00 p.m. — Welcome
- 1:15 p.m. — FILM Screening – Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness
- 2:40 p.m. — REMARKS – Filmmakers
- 2:55 p.m.
- PANEL Discussion featuring state & local leaders
- QUESTION / ANSWER Session
- 3:45 p.m. COMMUNITY Dialogue – Pizza, Conversation Networking & Resource Tables
- FEATURED SPEAKERS
- Don Sawyer & Tim Hashko, Filmmakers – Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness
- PANELIST DISCUSSION
- Chelsea Haring-Cozzi – CEO, CHIP Indy (Coalition for Homelessness Intervention & Prevention of Indianapolis)
- Chris Campbell, IN State Representative
- Judge Sarah Wyatt, Magistrate for Tippecanoe County
- Jennifer Layton, CEO/President, LTHC Homeless Services
- Dawn Baldwin & Steven Marbley, Former Unhoused in Greater Lafayette
- MODERATOR – Wes Tillett, Lafayette Urban Ministry executive director
- CLOSING REMARKS
- Mayor Erin Easter, Mayor Tony Roswarski & Commissioner Tom Murtaugh
- RESOURCE Tables – Area IV Agency, Drug-Free Coalition of Tippecanoe County, Greater Lafayette Family Shelter, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LTHC Homeless Services & Valley Oaks Health
RSVP Now to Secure Your Spot and Be Part of the Conversation!
The Filmmakers
Don Sawyer – Producer/Director
Don Sawyer co-produced and wrote, “UNCHARTED: The Truth Behind Homelessness,” which was used to lobby the Indianapolis City County Council to pass three pieces of homeless legislation. Don produced and directed “UNDER THE BRIDGE: The Criminalization of Homelessness” which won Best Hoosier Lens award at the 2016 Indy Film Fest. “UNDER THE BRIDGE” was also an official selection of the Chicago International Social Change Film Festival. Don was a coordinating producer on the 2020 film “HOW TO SURVIVE A MURDER.” Don was co-producer on the 2020 REELZ Network film “HOW TO SURVIVE A MURDER,” and is the producer, director and writer for the PBS Independent Lens film “TROUBLE AT LAKE MONROE.”
Tim Hashko – Cinematographer
Tim Hashko is the cinematographer and editor for a Bigger Vision Films. Tim shot both drone and ground footage used in the 2016 film “UNDER THE BRIDGE: The Criminalization of Homelessness.” In addition, he was the cinematographer on the 2018 film “MY FRIEND MICKEY: Common Decency and the American Dream,” as well as director of photography on the 2020 film “HOW TO SURVIVE A MURDER.” Tim was the cinematographer and editor for the 2021 PBS Independent Lens short film “TROUBLE AT LAKE MONROE.”
About the Event
Inspired by the momentum already building in Indianapolis after a similar screening, our goal is to spark a whole-community response here in Greater Lafayette. Ending homelessness requires all of us—service providers, business leaders, landlords, public officials, healthcare institutions, educators, faith communities, and neighbors.
This event features a screening of the powerful documentary Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness, which highlights Milwaukee’s remarkable success in reducing homelessness through permanent supportive housing and a housing-first approach.
Why Attend?
- Engage in a powerful professional development experience for you, your team, and your board.
- Be part of a community-wide movement to explore and implement proven solutions.
- Network with leaders, partners, and advocates working to strengthen our community.
- We want you to “Be in the Room Where It Happens!“
The Steering Committee
The Greater Lafayette Homelessness Steering Committee—Area IV Agency, Greater Lafayette Family Shelter, Lafayette Housing Authority, City of Lafayette, Lafayette Urban Ministry, LTHC Homeless Services, Purdue University, Tippecanoe Senior Services, Valley Oaks Health, City of West Lafayette, and YWCA.
Beyond the Bridge – Sponsors
Lead Sponsor ($2500+)
Supporting Sponsor ($1,000–$2,499)
Community Sponsor ($500–$999)
First Christian Church
- Our Saviour Lutheran Church
- Trinity United Methodist Church
Sponsorship Opportunities
Your sponsorship makes this event possible and demonstrates your commitment to real solutions. Sponsors are also encouraged to invite colleagues and community members who should be part of this critical conversation. {Please note that this is a FREE event that has been made possible by generous sponsors (see below for a list of sponsor). Individual donations are welcome, but not required to simply attend. If you wish to attend, we ask that you RSVP. To RSVP, click HERE or the RSVP buttons on this page.} If you have any questions, please email pmalavenda@LUMserve.org.
Lead Sponsor ($2,500+)
Supporting Sponsor ($1,000–$2,499)
Community Sponsor ($500–$999)
Friend of the Event (up to $499)
- If you wish to pay by check, please make it payable to Lafayette Urban Ministry with Beyond the Bridge event on the memo line. Check may be mailed or dropped off to the LUM Office, 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901.
- All Sponsors: Acknowledgment in press releases, social media, and post-event communications.
- Any surplus funds will be used to support local homeless services and events.
- Questions about sponsoring or to learn more? Email Pablo at pmalavenda@LUMserve.org.
