Mission, WPBS-TV to Host Screening Followed by Live Panel Discussion
(Watertown, NY – June 2013) The Watertown Urban Mission and WPBS-TV have joined together to help prevent future tragedies caused by driving while intoxicated by producing a one-hour documentary titled “Suffering the Consequences: Stop DWI New York,” for which the broadcast premiere will be Tuesday, June 11 at 8 p.m. on WPBS-TV.
“DWI is a serious issue in our community and this video will be an excellent tool in helping to prevent future tragedies,” said Erika Flint, Watertown Urban Mission executive director. “The families who shared their stories to make this possible have shown tremendous bravery in telling their stories. They have one goal: to save other families from experiencing the pain and heartache caused by losing a loved one to a DWI. We are so grateful to WPBS-TV for giving us this opportunity to take their stories to new audiences.”
“Suffering the Consequences” presents the Mission’s April 6th STOP DWI Victims’ Impact Panel in a one-hour format featuring the stories of families who have suffered loss and law enforcement officials to drive home the true human consequences of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The documentary’s broadcast premiere will be June 11, with airings also on Monday, June 17 at 10 p.m. and on Sunday, June 23 at 1 p.m.
The documentary will be available online at wpbstv.org for on-demand viewing following the broadcast and copies will also be available to schools and groups looking to raise awareness and help prevent DWI.
“This documentary presents a great opportunity to bring these families’ stories to a larger audience,” said Lynn Brown, WPBS-TV Executive Vice President. “The stories told at these Victims’ Impact Panels are truly compelling and to put these stories into this short and accessible format means that we can touch more people to help them make the right decision not to drive under the influence. The Watertown Urban Mission has given these families an opportunity to save lives for more than a decade now and we’re glad to be a part of this next step.”
The two nonprofits will host a 6 p.m. reception on the night of the premiere at the Watertown Urban Mission, with a screening of the documentary at 7 p.m. and a panel discussion afterward at 8 p.m.