With federal and local budget cuts the Women’s Building, the nonprofit that runs programs for immigrant women and children is facing a $200,000 deficit in unplanned costs.
In an effort to continue serving immigrants, the Women’s Building has partnered with the Roxie Theater to host a screening of “No Separate Survival” on July 20 at 1:45 p.m. The documentary tells the stories of asylum seekers, much like the clients that the Women’s Building serves.
Already, these budget cuts and their correlating unplanned costs meant layoffs for nine employees.
The nonprofit will continue to run its programs, although at limited capacity, according to an email from Communications Director Maria Arteaga Villamil.
“No Separate Survival” is a short, participatory documentary centered around the stories of asylum seekers from Mexico and Central America and their reasons for seeking asylum. It talks to immigrants participating in art workshops held at different centers for asylum seekers and migrants across California and Mexico.
A post-film panel will include the film director, producer and professor at San Francisco State University, Shabnam Piryaei along with The Women’s Building executive director Tania Estrada and three of the asylees from the film.
Beyond the screening, The Women’s Building will be selling merchandise and accepting donations to further raise funds at the event.