Pennsylvania Legislators and Philadelphia Recovery Activists Bring Film Premiere to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - July 18, 2016 - PRLog -- Gathr Films has partnered with Philadelphia Recovery Activists to bring Generation Found, a second feature collaboration from Jeff Reilly and Greg Williams. From the creators of the award-winning film, The Anonymous People, comes a transformative community story about the people of Houston who are fighting to save young people from the leading cause of death of their generation. With unprecedented access to a never-before-seen hidden community, Generation Found captures both the story of families who have lost their children to addiction, as well as families and young people who have a second chance at life. It is not only a deeply personal story, but one with real world utility for communities struggling with youth addiction worldwide.

In the U.S. alone, addiction to alcohol and other drugs is the most pressing health issue of our time directly impacting 45 million Americans, and claiming more than 135,000 lives every year. This film highlights a massive missing piece to the puzzle – the lack of youth recovery supports in nearly every community around the country, but Houston.

"Addiction to alcohol and other drugs is one of the most urgent issues of our time – especially for young people. GENERATION FOUND is a deeply personal story that also provides real solutions for communities struggling with youth addiction worldwide," said co-director Jeff Reilly. "We're excited to partner with Gathr Films and communities like Philadelphia to ensure the film is seen by audiences in as many communities as possible – coming together in a theater to share this experience."

"Youth recovery supports and programs are imperative for our communities. The addiction crisis is killing 129-people a day in the United States – and we are no stranger to these types of losses all over the Commonwealth. I am thrilled to be able to attend the Philadelphia Premiere of Generation Found, and to bring increased awareness for the needs of Recovery High Schools in our communities," said Representative John Taylor. "With the recent inclusion of my recovery high school pilot program legislation in the Public School Code 1606 signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf on July 13^th, now is the time to highlight what is possible in communities when we come together."

The Philadelphia Premiere of Generation Found is the last of a 10-city premiere schedule. The event is scheduled for August 20^th from 4:30-8:00 PM at the University of Pennsylvania Irvine Auditorium. Tickets, which are required to attend the screening, are available for purchase ($11.00, a special price for Philadelphia) at http://gathr.us/screening/16347. Invited special guests include Representative John Taylor, Senator Pat Browne, Mayor Jim Kenney, Secretary of PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs Gary Tennis, Commissioner Arthur Evans, Director Greg Williams, and Dean John Jackson.

"The time for community change is now – we cannot afford to lose one more child to substance use, due to the lack of supportive services in our communities," says event co-organizer Robert D. Ashford. "Generation Found shows us the framework for success that has been utilized in places like Houston; it's time we brought this model to Philadelphia to save lives."

Organizations which have worked together to bring the film to Philadelphia include: Young People in Recovery, Rights for Recovery, The Bridge Way School,  PRO-ACT, The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania, The Haven, The Collegiate Recovery Community at the University of Pennsylvania, The Flock at Saint Joseph's University, The University of the Sciences Collegiate Recovery Community, the Community College of Philadelphia Drug and Alcohol Studies Program, Minding Your Mind, and the offices of Representative Taylor.

Media Contact: Robert Ashford, robert@rightsforrecovery.org