Screening of doc "Paper Tigers" [Manitowoc, WI]

To help inform the Manitowoc community about breaking the cycle of poverty, violence and disease that affects families across the United States, a screening of the documentary “Paper Tigers” will be shown for free on Aug. 4 at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc theatre.

The award-winning film tells the story of high school students struggling with truancy, violence, drugs, sexual abuse, bullying and other problems at Lincoln High in Walla Walla, Washington for an entire year.

To take on these long-standing problems, the school principal makes radical changes to disciplining students, which becomes a promising model of helping change the community.

The award-winning film’s director, James Redford, said, “I knew I wanted to make a film about the emerging science of adversity: how high doses of stress during childhood get into our bodies, change our brains, and lead to lifelong social problems – everything from domestic violence and substance abuse to heart disease and cancer.”

After the screening, a panel discussion will be held to begin a local conversation of high-risk behavior and adverse-circumstances affecting Manitowoc youth.

“Our campus is working with the Manitowoc County United Way, UW-Extension, Manitowoc Public Library and the UW-Oshkosh College of Education and Human Services,” said Roxanna Strawn, Executive Director of the UW-Manitowoc Foundation in a news release. “We hope that anyone who is interested – educators, parents and grandparents, mental health professionals, community leaders – will attend this important event.”

Family Living Educator at Manitowoc County UW-Extension, Teri Zuege-Halvorsen, said hosting the screening is a step forward to having a more trauma informed community.

“This is a step towards making the community more resilient and positive,” Zuege-Halvorsen said. “A lot of kids here and around the U.S. are dealing with a wide variety of adverse childhood experiences, and keeping them in school and getting them to graduation has a positive impact on their lives. It is hard to get a job without a high school diploma.”

She said the documentary has broad appeal, as it offers information about how individuals can help others, look differently at situations and ultimately make a difference in the lives of area youth.

“The things we’ve done in the past clearly aren’t working,” Zuege-Halvorsen said. “If things aren’t working, we have to try a different way.”

The screening is being sponsored by members of the Manitowoc County Trauma Informed Communities Coalition, including the United Way, UW-Extension, UW-Manitowoc and the Manitowoc Public Library.

The film begins at 6 p.m., Aug. 4 in the UW-Manitowoc Theatre, 705 Viebahn Street, Manitowoc. Refreshments will be served. Those who will be attending are asked to register through EventBrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/p...-tickets-26042986273. To learn more about Paper Tigers visit, http://kpjrfilms.co/paper-tigers/.

[For more go to http://www.htrnews.com/story/n...-manitowoc/87723984/]