Join BU Metropolitan College's Criminal Justice and Food Studies Programs for a screening and panel discussion of the documentary film Building Momentum. Building Momentum is a 50-minute documentary featuring an in-depth look at the Momentum model for youth justice that started in 2015 with Café Momentum, an award-winning restaurant and culinary training facility with a paid post-release one-year internship program that provides employment, life skills training and wraparound care to justice-involved youth. This documentary tells the story of founder Chad Houser's efforts to provide resources to justice-involved youth in his hometown of Dallas, TX. To support the program's national expansion, the documentary will explore the Café Momentum ecosystem of support, including employment, education, community, and mental health services, as well as the life-changing impact of the Momentum model on Dallas' most at-risk youth. In 2022, Café Momentum launched programming in Nashville and Pittsburgh, and they are currently exploring five additional cities. Following the screening, a discussion will commence led by panelists: Dr. Danielle Rousseau - Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice Dr. Megan Elias - Director, Food Studies Programs; Associate Professor, Food Studies & Gastronomy Chef Chris Douglass - Lead Culinary Instructor, Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts; Lecturer, Food Studies & Gastronomy