ARLINGTON — The Arlington Common will host a special screening of the documentary, “Gone Guys,” which confronts the quiet crisis of disengagement, isolation, and struggle facing boys and young men in Vermont and across the nation.
The screening will take place on Sunday, Jan. 11, at 4 p.m. in the Arlington Common Performance Hall, 3938 Historic Route 7A. Following the 45-minute film, a panel of local community members will lead a discussion on how these trends manifest in the greater Arlington area and potential local solutions. The event is sponsored by the Keelan Foundation.
The film and the crisis
Over the past 50 years, boys and young men have steadily disengaged from school, work, and broader society. They’re falling behind academically, struggling with loneliness and isolation, and facing rising rates of substance abuse and suicide. “Gone Guys,” a 45-minute documentary, draws on the influential work of Richard V. Reeves’ “Of Boys and Men,” illuminating these challenges through powerful data and compelling personal stories. Set in rural Vermont, the film brings national data to life through engaging animation that accompanies lived experience, featuring young men, educators, mentors, and trailblazing programs working to re-engage boys and young men in their communities and reshape their futures.
About the panel
The post-screening panel will ground the national issue in the local context, featuring a diverse group of community members dedicated to youth well-being.
The panel participants will include Sergeant Todd Wilkins, Arlington School Board Chair, Vermont State Police, and youth soccer coach; Nick Albert of Albert Construction, business owner; Thom Powers, Arlington School District School Psychologist; and students and teachers from local schools. The discussion will be moderated by Nicol Whalen, an Arlington School Board member.
“As a community member who teaches yoga at an area high school, I believe in connection and recognizing our shared challenges,” said local resident and documentary enthusiast Anandaroopa Nguyen. “That’s why I’m so glad the Arlington Common is hosting ‘Gone Guys.’ It’s a beautifully honest look at the isolation and challenges facing boys. I hope everyone comes to see it, because only by watching and discussing it together, this film gives us the data and the personal stories to build a more supportive, engaged community for all boys.”
“As a parent of three boys and a local board member, I see these challenges reflected in our schools and community every day,” said panel moderator Nicol Whalen. “This screening gives us a vital opportunity to stop talking around the problem and start talking about tangible steps we can take in Southern Vermont to support our young men.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.reformer.com ’
