Thriving Communities Films

Thriving Communities embarked on a journey of discovery and learning with the Fountain Fund. The Fountain Fund is a non-profit organization based in Charlottesville, VA that provides low-interest micro-loans and financial coaching to formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them overcome the economic obstacles that often arise after incarceration. This film showcases the organization's inspiring work and its impact on the lives of those it serves. The Fountain Fund has already extended over 350 low-interest microloans, totaling more than $1.5 million, and has helped 86% of its client partners establish or improve their credit scores as of the date of this posting. Furthermore, 92% of client partners have reported significant improvements in their lives facilitated by the Fountain Fund, such as securing transportation, employment, housing, or paying off court debt. This film highlights the Fountain Fund's unique approach and how it is making a real difference in the lives of formerly incarcerated people, promoting economic opportunity and reducing the likelihood of incarceration. VIDEOGRAPHY AND EDITING // Ross Monagle April 19, 2023

There are five million formerly incarcerated people living in the United States. People who have been incarcerated at some point in their lives face often-permanent barriers to securing transportation, housing, employment, and capital for building their own businesses. When individuals are released from jail or prison, they are further burdened by court-ordered debt. Most are ineligible for traditional bank loans and lines of credit or are subject to prohibitively high-interest rates. These combined hurdles limit the economic opportunity of formerly incarcerated people and prevent them from reaching their potential. As a result, some return to criminal behavior, increasing the likelihood of re-incarceration and damaging the stability of their families and communities.

This short documentary celebrates the untold story of four women who mounted an all-out civil rights campaign to create a movement establishing the first-ever disability rights law in the United States, WA HB 90.

Carillon Community, Richmond VA — This documentary reveals how an integrated community began in the late 1960s and exists today in spite of the challenges of racial inequity, redlining, and segregation. This is a film for any community seeking opportunities to grow in an equitable and fair manner. This is a story of another way a community came together despite their challenges and remains so today.

What happens when our vets walk out the door after their service in the military? Some resume their lives in a normal fashion. Many do not. Where is the safety net? Island County, Washington has more veterans than any other in the State of Washington. This is a story of support, care, and coming home that makes a difference to men and women who have served our country.

Highlighting Common People Doing Uncommon Work for the Common Good

El Centro de la Raza (The Center for All Races) started in 1972 with a non-violent occupation of an abandoned school building in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood. Fifty years later, the El Centro community is successfully building & supporting affordable housing, thriving small businesses, child care, and other essential services. El Centro's values, relationships, and practical inspiration could provide a template for thriving community-based institutions around the country. Learn what it takes: the essential wisdom and know-how, from people who have first-hand experience. COPYWRITE DISCLAIMER: This video is for educational purposes only. This video is under Fair Use Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976: Allowance is made for fair use for purposes such as criticism, comment, news, reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit educational or personal, use tips the balance in favor of fair use. All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners who are El Centro de LA Raza. No copyright infringement intended. No segments or partial use of this film are allowed. No alteration of this film is permitted.