Jessica Thomasson, CEO of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota and Lutheran Social Services Housing, will moderate the panel discussion “Homelessness in North Dakota”. The discussion will take place Wednesday, January 9, at 6 p.m. at the Empire Arts Center, after the Grand Forks premiere of first episode of “Home. The Homelessness Crisis in North Dakota.”

“Home.” is a 12-part limit-series documenting the homelessness crisis in North Dakota. The series examines causes of homelessness, and the individuals affected. The premiere of “Home.” explores the myths surrounding homelessness, and the right to housing. The premiere also introduces some of the organizations working to combat homelessness in North Dakota. The rest of the series is scheduled to be released early in 2019.

The series aims to raise the visibility of what Louis McLeod, Executive Director of the Minot Area Homeless Coalition, calls the “invisible crisis” in North Dakota.

As CEO, Thomasson manages two non-profit corporations that, together with their partners, help people and communities across the state of North Dakota thrive through their efforts related to affordable housing, child care, mental health, disaster response, senior services, and support for young families. LSS currently owns or manages thirty projects (totaling over 900 units) in communities all across the state. As part of that mission, LSS offers income-based, affordable, and market-rate housing that meets the unique needs of a community.

The Grand Forks premiere of the first episode of “Home.” will take place on Wednesday, January 9, at 6 p.m. at the Empire Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public. Seats may be reserved online on Eventbrite. Prior to the event, the public is invited to join the Human Family and Northlands Rescue Mission from 4 to 5 p.m. The Mission will offer free hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the shelter. Northlands Rescue Mission is a an emergency homeless shelter located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. In 2017, the emergency shelter served 526 clients. The Mission empowers homeless men and women to rebuild their lives. Learn more about the program via the event page.

The Grand Forks screening of “Home.” is funded in part by Humanities North Dakota, a nonprofit, independent state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily reflect those of Humanities North Dakota or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“Home.” is produced by The Human Family, a non-profit organization promoting human rights through film and art. For more information about “Home.” or The Human Family, visit www.human-family.org.

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