Peace Builders A Documentary In-Production 2022-2025 Palestinian and Israeli teenagers from the Middle East forge relationships in the midst of the most devastating violence the region has experienced since 1948. Support our Film Project Introducing the Peace Builders In 2022/2023, they shared their visions for the future. The Teenagers These individuals were selected by their openness to find solutions and willingness to appear on camera. We hope we can learn from their stories. In 2024, captured the realities of life in Palestine/Israel and their efforts to chart a path forward amidst the war. Nama (left) and Shahd (right) Thekra "Since I was a kid [my mom] holds my hand, sits me down, and tells me 'You are strong. You have your own opinion, don't let anybody step on that." Following the Journey The documentary project spans the course of 4 years from 2022-2025 , as we witness these teenagers grow up, form bonds with each other, strengthen their resolve for peace, and confront the uncertain realities of their future. "I'm torn between not wanting to leave home, and a home that is toxic and violent." Tidhar "We're gonna miss The States but now is the important part, the part when you move what you learned here to your home. To your community." The documentary follows only the words expressed and actions taken by these teenagers. We understand these personal accounts do not make up the entirety of experiences of those suffering in the region. Our Approach "I feel like I really need to do something about this because I was born to stand for what's right and take action, and I don't want to be a bystander to what's happening." Coming Together We begin the film in Navasota, Texas in 2022 which is where these teenagers first meet as part of an annual peace-building institute. 2023, they return to deepen their commitment for peace . The film continues production in Nov 2024 in Palestine/Israel to have an up-close look of their peace efforts in a post-October 7 reality. Nama Shahd "You grow up feeling that there is this very big battle between one another and there is very distinct stuff that they blame each other for." Elon Jerusalem Peacebuilders Jerusalem Peacebuilders (JPB) is an interfaith, non-profit organization with a mission to create a better future for humanity across religions, cultures, and nationalities. Integral to that mission is the belief that the future of Jerusalem is the future of the world. To that end, JPB promotes transformational, person-to-person encounters among the peoples of Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, and the United States. This film was not commissioned nor has any financial affiliation with The Jerusalem Peacebuilders institute. The Organization in Focus Learn about JPB Support our Film Help us complete the production of this documentary in 2024-2025. Your contribution supports: • Production Equipment • Production Assistant • Plane flight Palestine/Israel • Lodging in Palestine/Israel • Travel inside Palestine/Israel Your tax-deductible donation helps tell the stories of these young people finding solutions amidst the ongoing conflict. Supporters: Krista Calaway, Matt Heath, Chris King, Aliza Porat, Lavanya Rajagopalan, Kenneth Richstad, Barbara Richstad

Filmmaking classes teach students the skills of filmmaking which includes brainstorming initial concepts, outlining, scriptwriting, storyboarding, camera operation, lighting, green screen editing, and final premiere. Students are active participants in every aspect of the creation process. Bienvenido a Gordon Education Initiatives para las artes escénicas Educando a los niños a través de las artes. Book your residency now Wharton Afterschool Sign up 2026 Wharton Registration Form Esta es su página Acerca de. Este espacio es una gran oportunidad para brindar información completa sobre quién es usted, qué hace y qué tiene para ofrecer su sitio. Tus usuarios están realmente interesados en aprender más sobre ti, así que no tengas miedo de compartir anécdotas personales para crear una calidad más amigable. Cada sitio web tiene una historia y sus visitantes quieren escuchar la suya. Este espacio es una gran oportunidad para brindar cualquier dato personal que quieras compartir con tus seguidores. Incluye anécdotas y hechos interesantes para mantener a los lectores interesados. Haga doble clic en el cuadro de texto para comenzar a editar su contenido y asegúrese de agregar todos los detalles relevantes que desea que los visitantes del sitio conozcan. Si tienes una empresa, habla sobre cómo empezaste y comparte tu trayectoria profesional. Explique sus valores fundamentales, su compromiso con los clientes y cómo se destaca entre la multitud. Agregue una foto, una galería o un video para lograr aún más participación. The Filmmaking Residency With media accessible at every student's fingertips in this tech-driven age, this residency provides a fun, thoughtful, and practical approach for children who desire to create their own media content. The thematic topics of the student films are relatable, topical, sometimes serious, and often hilarious. On the final day, the class has a screening of the films with a question & answer format featuring the young filmmakers. Parents, invited guests and the school community is invited. Filmmaking residencies to choose from: Narrative Fiction Documentary Production Music Video Production Historical Reenactment Spanish Language Sketch Comedy Podcast and Radio Play 10-12 one-hour classes per residency All film residencies are aligned with academic and arts curriculum standards Affordable Access: Funding options can be combined with grant opportunities. Engaging Content: Our residencies are designed to captivate young minds. Nurturing Creativity: We foster creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking skills that build lifelong ingenuity. Supportive Community: We instill inclusive values to build understanding and trust. Educational Partners: Wharton Dual Language Academy, Reynolds Elementary School, Fondren Elementary School, Shearn Elementary School, Attucks Middle School, Holland Middle School, Young Women's College Preparatory Academy, Young Women's Leadership Academy, Gateway Academy, River Oaks Baptist School, Silambam Houston, Heritage Society, St. Stephen's Episcopal, and Asia Society Texas Center. Meet Our Teachers Our Filmmaking Residencies program features a dedicated team of talented professionals, devoted to equipping our students with the knowledge and skills essential for success in the continually evolving film industry. Our team comprises experts in diverse filmmaking domains, including directing, producing, and writing. Their experience enables us to offer a comprehensive and all-encompassing curriculum. Explore their bios below to delve into their backgrounds and extensive expertise. Ashley Jones Art Director Dan Gordon Executive Director and Teaching Artist About Me Don Francis Tech Lead Gladys Ortiz Education Manager and Teaching Artist About Me Alexa Young Product Manager Bri Guerrero Teaching Artist About Me Robert Rose Product Designer Johnny Maloney Teaching Artist About Me Ashley Jones Art Director Deante' Gray Teaching Artist About Me Link to Residency Email: info@misitio.com Reserva una residencia cinematográfica Teléfono: 123-456-7890 Primer nombre Apellido Correo electrónico School Name Nivel de grado Duración deseada para la residencia Háganos saber si usted tiene alguna pregunta: ¡Gracias por enviar! Enviar

Closer to the Sun Dan talks about juvenile justice residencies. Anchor 1 Back to Juvenile Justice Residencies In Summer 2022, the teenagers at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department conceptualized, wrote, acted and produced an autobiographical film entitled “Closer to the Sun” which was inspired by Tupac Shakur’s “The Rose that Grew from Concrete”. St. Philip Presbyterian Church’s Foundation provided a substantial grant for this filmmaking project along with Texas Commission on the Arts. Pastor John Wurster spoke to the congregation about the impact of this residency. And, Dan Gordon gave a presentation about this filmmaking residency and screened the film at St. Philip Presbyterian Church on October 2nd, 2022. He has returned to St. Philip's to give talks in 2023 and 2024.

Empowering teenagers in the juvenile justice system through the art of filmmaking. Justicia juvenil Filmmaking as an intervention strategy for teens in the juvenile justice system. Filmmaking workshops in: Teens in the juvenile justice system tell their story Filmmaking is a powerful intervention strategy for youth who have had a challenging path because film allows for free expression and skill-building in an otherwise regimented and structured school or correctional facility environment. Free expression through art is vitally important as it allows young people the space to explore their emotions in a supportive environment that encourages creativity. This opportunity allows the teens in the juvenile justice system to see themselves as full of potential instead of full of doubt. And the technical skill-building allows them to explore possible career paths in the future. Inaugural Summer 2022 at Harris County Juvenile Probation Department Over five weeks, the teens at HCJPD made an entire film scored by their original poetry and inspired by Tupac Shakur's writings . The teens told their collective autobiographical story. The premise of their film entitled, "Closer to the Sun”, was about a 13-year-old boy growing up without a father, a mother addicted to drugs, an older brother in jail. And, this main character has to figure out how to be a positive role model to his younger sister even though he never had a positive role model of his own. The film was a meditation on breaking the cycle with ray of hope at the end where the younger sister achieves academic success says: “But at least I know nothing is impossible, you’ll be unstoppable and live on.” Tupac Shakur's poetry was inspiration for the film A few instances of how filmmaking made a difference: ● One young man who realized that he had a natural talent for writing poetry in this class, was so inspired that he wrote three and a half pages of poetry at home and brought it to class the next day. He shared his writing with the teaching artist, full of pride from his accomplishment. ● One young woman who wore a hoodie far over her head and didn’t talk much, became animated and engaged when she had an opportunity to record her voice rapping (her hidden talent) in the class. She even became a lead actress in the film. At the film premiere, she asked if the program would continue in the fall because she wanted to learn more about filmmaking. ● One young man was rigid in class, talking low and not moving much. But, when he wore a theater mask in a class acting exercise, he opened up and was free and open with his movements. Another side of his personality was revealed through theater mask work. This goes to show the power of art and how it can help crack the shell that teens sometimes build around themselves. Student Experiences Long-term Community Impact When one thinks of filmmaking programs like this, it’s important to realize the compounded impact that this program will continue to have in the community. When one teenager is inspired and positively transformed, that teenager has the power to influence everyone around them: friends, family, teachers, new acquaintances. The teenagers consequently make smarter life choices which raises the bar for everyone around them. Click this link to watch a presentation about this residency Watch Ret urning for a 2nd residency, the students wrote a fictional narrative film entitled “Border Life” based on their familial experiences crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. In the film, a young man struggles with the trauma of being separated from his family by immigration officers 15 years prior. Now in his mid-20's and working at a taqueria in Texas, he is offered the opportunity to become a border agent - a high salary plus benefits. Accepting the job, he encounters the man responsible for separating him and his parents, which sets him on a new life path. The film written , acted, and produced by the teens depicts the dire struggles of immigrants that grow up between two cultures. The residual positive impact of this filmmaking program will be felt for years to come. Spring 2023 at Harris County Juvenile Probation Department Looking to the future The juvenile justice program has grown substantially since its launch in 2022 and now operates out of two facilities in the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (Opportunity Center and Youth Village) and Juvenile Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York (Crossroads). In addition, a new filmmaker teaching artist has been brought on to deliver these high impact programs to justice-involved youth. In 2025, we are setting up internships with major TV stations once the justice-involved youth graduate with their GED. Funders St. Philip's Central Mission Endowment Fund Harris County Department of Education Texas Commission on the Arts Cameron Foundation Looking to the future... Primer nombre Apellido Correo electrónico Facility Nivel de grado Duración deseada para la residencia Háganos saber si usted tiene alguna pregunta: ¡Gracias por enviar! Enviar Nuestro Historia

Accessibility Policy Our nonprofit arts organization is committed to providing equal access and opportunities for all children, regardless of their abilities. We ensure inclusivity in all our programs and activities as we remove barriers that may prevent individuals with disabilities from fully participating in our programs and activities. There is no barrier for entry in the filmmaking process, and requires a number of positions from script writer, camera operator, gaffer, audio mixer, editor, production assistant, color grader and the list goes on. A student will always have a place in our educational programs. We comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations regarding accessibility regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Our staff oversees implementing accessibility measures including physical accessibility providing ramps, elevators, accessible parking spaces, and accessible restrooms. We provide clear and visible signage when we are on set and when we are rehearsing throughout our facilities to assist individuals with visual impairments. Braille signage is offered at our office at 3400 Main Street. We strive to design our programs in a way that accommodates children with a range of abilities. This include providing alternative formats for learning materials, modifying activities, and providing additional support staff. We also accommodate students who only speak Spanish by providing a Spanish-speaking teacher. All of our Take the Stage content on PBS LearningMedia is accessible to individuals with visual impairment by including closed captions and photos and text that can be read by a screen reader. All Gordon Education staff members, including volunteers and instructors, will receive training on accessibility awareness and best practices. This training will include understanding different types of disabilities, effective communication strategies, and how to provide accommodations. We invite feedback for accessibility concerns and we seek feedback from student participants, parents, and school staff. We will make necessary adjustments and updates to ensure an inclusive and accessible environment. By implementing this Accessibility Policy, our nonprofit arts organization aims to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to engage in and benefit from our programs.

Donate to bring Take the Stage educational media to under-resourced elementary classrooms across the country, fund filmmaking programs for students, and support the production of inspiring youth-led documentaries. Please consider making a contribution today. Donate $25 - Covers material costs for one child to participate in a single filmmaking class or workshop. $50 - Covers the cost of equipment and software for a student's hands-on filmmaking experience in a workshop. $100 - Covers the costumes and props for one filmmaking residency. $450 - Covers the instructor and admin costs for one child or teen to receive a filmmaking program for a school year. Checks can be made payable to: Gordon Education 3400 Main Street #2 Houston, TX 77002 Major Contributors Arts Connect Houston, The Baxter Trust, The Burk Family, BNSF Railway Foundation, The Brown Foundation Inc. of Houston, Cameron Foundation, Central Mission Endowment Fund at St. Philip, Fondren Foundation, Harris County Department of Education, Houck Family Foundation, Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Endowment, Mid-America Arts Alliance, National Endowment of the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts Thank You to Our Individual Contributors Philamena Baird, Jason Bernal, James Calaway, Krista Calaway, Daniel Cohen, Jessica Fuentes, Kristen Golden, Steven Hempel, Victor Kendall, Cindy Leong-Wu, Janice Martindale, Georgia McBride, Juliet McBride, Chuck Still, Penny Warga, Sesh Bala, Sheetal Bedi, Angel D'Crus, Ali Dhanani, Ben Felleman, Sarah Fenoglio, Andrew Gordon, James Gordon, Rebecca Gordon, Robert Gruman, Dean Haddock, Matt Heath, Ira and Eve Jacobs, Amy & TJ Jones, Medha Karve, Alyssa Kirsten, Sunil Maini, Pat Moser, Shaila Patel, George & Grace Thomas, Michelle Ordonez, Heather Westendarp, Rob Shaw, Radhika Inamdar - Aundh Private Foundation