SYNOPSISHealth and educational outcomes in low-income areas across America are staggering low. Stephen Ritz, a Bronx educator, is on a mission to change all that. He developed an incredibly successful indoor gardening curriculum that allows children to grow vegetables in the classroom, helping them eat better, be more engaged with school and give them pathways for jobs. But the question is, would this program work outside of the Bronx? We took the journey of making this film to find out. With the help of Anthem, Green Bronx Machine was given the opportunity to expand around the country, in places like Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia, to children from 3rd grade to high school, from rural to urban, from special needs children to fostered youth. The answer was an emphatic yes, as students from all the schools we followed embraced and thrived with the curriculum, were more engaged in the classroom and had fun doing it. The ambition, for the film and for Stephen, is that the expansion will continue to bring hope, health and opportunity to those communities and students who need it the most. |
Main Subject
STEPHEN RITZ
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Our Schools
Below are the six schools that the documentary follows across the country.
Holy Angels Catholic School
Indianapolis, IN Ms. Cress / 3rd Grade
MLK Jr. Academy for Boys
Toledo, OH Mr. McDaniel & Mr. McKinley / 3rd Grade
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Moores Hill Elementary
Moores Hill, IN Mr. Lee / 5th Grade
P.S. 721X
The Bronx, NY Mr. Kottkamp / Work Study Class
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Marshall STEMM
Toledo, OH Ms. Poland / 6th Grade
Stepping Stones
Wayne County, WV Susan Fry / Executive Director
Lynn Stevens / Care Coordinator |
FILMMAKERS
MU SUN
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BODHI ELFMAN
Bodhi Elfman is the son of acclaimed filmmaker, Richard Elfman and has been involved in the entertainment world his entire life. Growing up in a filmmaking family, he’s produced, written, directed and been involved in almost every area of production. A veteran actor, Bodhi has appeared in over 100 prominent film and television shows.
In 2012, Elfman and his wife, Jenna, started their podcast, Kicking and Screaming which has since become the #1 marriage podcast. |
BEN MILES
Ben Miles was born and raised on the East Coast, and attended Ithaca College's Roy H. Park School of Communications. He moved to Puerto Rico to produce videos on cruise ships and later relocated to Los Angeles in search of dry land and post production opportunities. His editorial work runs the gamut from commercial and branded content to theatrical trailers and non-fiction work. Growing up around music and running a disc jockey business for many years, he has a penchant for audio and sound design which he loves incorporating into his edits. He hopes to continue to create projects that help promote positive change in this current climate.
Website: www.meetbenmiles.com |
COURTNEY QUIRIN
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TERUHISA YOSHIDA
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GAVIN KEESE
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