Coulee Homelessness and Housing Coalition and Community Partners to Host Screening of Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness on October 14
La Crosse, WI — On Tuesday, October 14, the Coulee Homelessness and Housing Coalition, in collaboration with Viterbo University, La Crosse Area Community Foundation, Marine Credit Union, Mayo Clinic Health System, Great Rivers United Way, Great Rivers 211, Richard H. Masrud Charitable Trust, La Crosse Public Library, Lamar Advertising, Mathy Construction, City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, and La Crosse Distilling Co., will host a community screening of the acclaimed documentary Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness. This powerful film explores innovative approaches to one of the most urgent issues of our time, asking the critical question: How can we solve homelessness comprehensively?
Filmmakers Don Sawyer and Tim Hashko shine a light on the transformative “Housing First” approach—showing how true progress emerges when communities, policymakers, law enforcement, nonprofits, and local leaders unite under one coordinated system. This film challenges us to recognize that we can criminalize homelessness, ignore it, or embrace a third idea: solutions that are already working in communities across the country. Beyond the Bridge isn’t just about shadowing despair—it’s a call to action, offering hope through solidarity, innovation, compassion, and evidence-based solutions.
Locally, this event supports the Pathways Home plan, La Crosse County’s roadmap for addressing homelessness through coordinated, housing-focused solutions. Beyond the Bridge illustrates how other communities have successfully implemented similar strategies, offering both inspiration and practical examples to strengthen La Crosse’s ongoing work.
The screening will feature a panel discussion with the filmmakers, and a special appearance by James Mathy, Housing Administrator for Milwaukee County and a La Crosse native. Under his leadership, Milwaukee County has achieved the lowest unsheltered homeless population per capita in the nation—a model of success now drawing national attention.
More than a documentary, Beyond the Bridge is a call to action. It sheds light on stories of resilience and hope, inspiring audiences to see homelessness not as an unsolvable crisis, but as a challenge we can overcome together.
Event Details:
What: Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness film screening & discussion
When: Tuesday, October 14, 6-8pm
Where: Weber Center for the Performing Arts, 428 Front Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
Admission: Free and open to the public. Ticket required. Reserve a seat at https://ci.ovationtix.com/34592/production/1250450?performanceId=11688727.
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