Mayors' Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness AND Area Premiere of ''Among the Discarded''

The Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness

              On Tuesday, May 19, officials from all Okaloosa County municipalities will be invited to join in the Okaloosa/Walton Homeless Continuum of Care “Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness.” 

In July 2014, First Lady Michelle Obama announced the call to action for the Mayors Challenges.  This initiative—supported by  HUD, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and several other  federal agencies—calls on Mayors and local leaders to commit to ending veteran homelessness by the end of the year. 

              Sarah Yelverton, Executive Director of the Okaloosa Walton Homeless Continuum of Care, and Opportunity, Inc., said, “We are excited to have the support of our community leaders and of HUD in our efforts to end veteran homelessness in our area, and we’re making great progress by opening One Hopeful Place in the Fall.   We invite the public to join us on May 19 as we formally kick off this joint venture with the federal government.”  

              The ceremonies will be held at the Fort Walton Beach City Auditorium, 109 Miracle Strip Parkway, SW, on Tuesday, May 19, at 5:30 pm.  They will be followed by the area premiere of a new documentary on homelessness: 

AMONG THE DISCARDED     a homeless journey…..

Artist Trent Dion Soto sacrifices his safety and sanity as he lives for 30 days on LA's notorious Skid Row.

On his 44th birthday, artist Trent Dion Soto voluntarily joined the homeless population on L.A.’s notorious Skid Row for 30 days in an attempt to foster positive change upon the community. Trent’s goal was total immersion, as he wanted to live as they did, with zero outside assistance. To accomplish this, Trent only brought basic toiletries, art supplies and his trusty GoPro camera, to capture the experience. Through Trent’s eyes, and personal interactions, you will experience, first-hand, the cheers, tears, struggles and dangers of the homeless epidemic via this raw, emotional expose.

When:                 Tuesday, May 19 5:30-7:30PM  

Where:               Fort Walton Beach Municipal Auditorium

                             107 Miracle Strip Pkwy, SW

Sponsored by:   Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Community Solutions

Additional Sponsors:  Conexion Media Group and Ramada Plaza Beach Resort

How Much:        No charge—All public invited

(*This film has a powerful message with real-life, never-before-seen footage.  It may not be suitable for 12 and under.)

For information, contact Ted Corcoran (Ted@FWBChamber.org) at the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce – 850-244-8191.

A trailer for the film can be viewed here.