Through private consultations with research-based organizations, a rough cut of THE SWEETEST LAND was presented to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s Injury Prevention Center. In a rare and brave statement, the Center’s Director, Gary Lapidus wrote the following:
“Your Documentary brings to light some of the many issues that comprise this complex problem. The Injury Prevention Center at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center supports and endorses this work.”
“Communities like Hartford have no organized or unified response to violence that involves public health, medicine, law enforcement, mental health services, social work, judiciary, corrections, community organizations, state agencies and local activists. While many mean well, often efforts undertaken to reduce violence are not proven and outcomes are not measured. ”
Gary Lapidus PA-C, MPH – Director Injury Prevention Center – Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health, University of Connecticut’s School of Medici
On behalf of all those we filmed, THE SWEETEST LAND, thank you for your courage and honesty with the above statement. We can be THE SWEETEST LAND
Dr. Linda Degutis, a national leader in injury prevention and recent Executive Director for the Center’s For Disease Control’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, formally endorses THE SWEETEST LAND.
Dr. Degutis invited a private excerpt presentation to the CDC for their GRAND ROUNDS series in 2014. Thereafter, Dr. Degutis recognized the film for “humanizing the issue behind the numbers and the news reports.” Degutis also reiterates the challenge of finding strong advocates in violence prevention and the need to use our resources more effectively.
With her endorsement, Degutis’ position not only removes the politics from violence, but more importantly recognizes the need for evidence based approaches to save lives.
We can be, THE SWEETEST LAND.
Currently, the film is in post production and we hope to have more information soon.
On behalf of the cast and crew of THE SWEETEST LAND, are pleased to announce, Newtown Action Alliance, has formally voted and endorsed THE SWEETETST LAND, a documentary film. In an effort to gain partners in prevention, the film’s rough cut was presented to the board of directors, who unanimously voted to endorse our message of violence prevention.
“Excerpts of your film reveals a less known and understood problem that is also of deep concern: the shameful ineffectiveness of programs intended to interrupt the cycle of violence among urban youth, and the many families that are unable to escape this daily threat. We endorse the idea of a national violence prevention strategy, which is based in evidence, quality care, equality and outcome.” NEWTOWN ACTION ALLIANCE.
Currently, the film is in post production and we hope to have more information soon.