Porchlight and the
Madison Public Library
Press Release
click here for pdf version
For Immediate Release: March 4, 2010
Media Contact: Katherine Davey
phone: 608.257.2534
email: kdavey@porchlinginc.org
Community Read Will Educate and Inspire
Porchlight and the Madison Public Library team up for a Community Read of the The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship and the Redemptive Power of Music by Steve Lopez
Porchlight joins forces with the Madison Public Library to present a Community Read of The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship and the Redemptive Power of Music by Steve Lopez. The Soloist is the remarkable story of the bond between a journalist and a mentally ill, homeless, classically trained musician in Los Angeles.
The Soloist is an engaging read which illuminates the problems faced by mentally ill homeless people and those who are working to support them. Porchlight has partnered with the Madison Public Library for the Community Read in order to educate people on the complex issues of mental health and homelessness.
This Community Read celebrates of the launch of Madison Cares, an initiative from Porchlight to raise funds to build housing and provide services for homeless people with mental illness.
"The Soloist is a great read" says Porchlight executive director Steve Schooler. "More importantly, the main characters, Nathanial and Steve, help us understand the intertwined issues of homelessness and mental health and inspire us to care more about the people who live in our midst."
Liz Amundson, Madison Public Library Librarian says "When Porchlight recommended this book, I knew then that they were giving their stamp of approval... saying that this man's experience is Los Angeles is unique, yet universal. So often in book group discussions, readers wonder whether the situation presented in the book is accurate, or whether it is similar to our local experience. Madisonians are already interested in this book, as it is well known and widely praised. Now we can go to the next level of engagement by discussing it, and the issues it raises, as a community."
The Soloist is available both as a book and as a major motion picture starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx. Community members can get involved by either reading or viewing The Soloist. Porchlight and Madison Public Library have developed an online Community Read Tool Kit that is available to all book clubs and individuals. Member of the community are invited to read the book or see the movie, and join a discussion - either at home with friends or via the library's events.
In addition to checking out the book or movie from the library, community members can join library sponsored discussion groups at 6 different locations, check out book discussion kits to use with their book clubs, and come to a public screening of the movie. A full list of Library events can be found on the libraries' webpage and at the end of this release.
More information can be found online at:
www.porchlightinc.org/soloist
www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/calendar/soloist.html
About Porchlight
Porchlight provides emergency shelter, food, employment services, counseling, and affordable transitional and permanent housing to homeless people in the Dane County area. Porchlight's services are designed to foster independence and the transition into permanent housing and employment.
For more information visit: www.porchlightinc.org
Madison Public Library Events for the Community Read of "The Soloist" by Steve Lopez
Book Discussions:
South Madison Branch
2222 S. Park St. - 266-6395
April 17th, 1:30PMPinney Branch
204 Cottage Grove Rd. - 224-7170
May 25th, 7PMMeadowridge Branch
5740 Raymond Rd. - 288-6160
June 2nd, 6:30PMCentral Library
201 W. Mifflin St. - 266-6350
July 14th, 7PMHawthorne Branch
2707 E. Washington Ave - 246-4548
July 21st, 6PM
Film Showing with Porchlight - Led Discussion Afterward:
Alicia Ashman Branch
733 North High Point Road - 824-1780
May 14th, 6:30 pm
Madison Public Library schedule of events for
The Soloist Community Read is also available online: www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/calendar/soloist.html
Community Read Tool Kit and information on
the Madison Cares campaign is available online at:
www.porchlightinc.org/soloist