Broken (former working title: Thrownaway Kids)
Project by Bill Lichtenstein
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Bill Lichtenstein
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Millions of U.S. families lack health care, food and housing. And more than 200,000 kids annually are taken from their homes and put into foster care. But for six in seven, it's not for abuse but for neglect, which all too often stems from poverty. Together we can fix the system - and save lives.
Millions of U.S. families lack health care, food and housing. And more than 200,000 kids annually are taken from their homes and put into foster care. But for six in seven, it's not for abuse but for neglect, which all too often stems from poverty. Together we can fix the system - and save lives.
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Story
Mission Statement
LCMedia Productions is a Peabody Award-winning independent production company that creates public TV and radio programs and documentaries along with community engagement campaigns on human rights and social justice issues, with a particular focus on child welfare and mental health-related issues.About The Project
Thanks to our amazing supporters Broken (formerly working title: Thrownaway Kids) reached 80% of the goal and got the Green Light -- so we can receive the funds that have been pledged and move on to PRODUCTION!
If you donated already -- thank you so very much!You can make a donation toward the production budget remaining to raise, as well as share the campaign with friends, family, and on social media.
Your tax-deductible donation to this non-profit production will give a voice to kids and families in need who are trapped by the broken child welfare, foster care and family court systems -- and help save lives.
Please make your pledge now by clicking here. Thank you very much again.
Bill Lichtenstein, Brooke Lewitas and the Broken documentary team
All children need food, health care, and a safe and stable place to live.
But today, millions of American kids lack these basic needs. And as a result of the pandemic, an increasing number of families have lost health insurance, lack food, and face eviction or foreclosure ending with homelessness.
In the midst of this increasingly dire situation, some children fall victim to physical and sexual abuse by family members. Many more find themselves going without basic needs due to poverty or other circumstances.
In 2020, according to federal HHS statistics, 213,964 children or one in 300 kids, were removed from their home and placed in foster care. However, only one-in-seven of these cases involved abuse.
In six-out-of-seven cases, kids were removed from their homes for neglect, frequently involving circumstances resulting from poverty.
For many children, separation from their families and placement into the often sparsely regulated foster care system, can result in their situations becoming even more dire.
States spend billions of dollars a year on children once they are in foster care, but often only pennies on the dollar to help families that are struggling with poverty to provide sufficient food, health care or shelter for their kids.
In those cases, the solution all too often is to remove these children from their homes.
Families protest removal of children from homes for poverty-related causes.
How can it be that the U.S. child welfare and protection system has been an acknowledged failure for decades when it comes to caring for children in need, protecting them against abuse and neglect, and strengthening families?
How can it be that a state like Massachusetts, home to Harvard University, Children’s Hospital and other world-class institutions brimming with expertise in child wellness and development, has been among the states at the bottom of the barrel for decades when it comes to preventing the abuse and neglect of kids and strengthening families? And why has the state been unable to stop a litany of horrific, high-profile deaths of kids placed in state care for their safety that have dominated the news over the past decade?
How can it be that New Jersey, once among the worst in the nation for child welfare and protection has emerged as a recognized best state in the country following a 20-year renovation of its child welfare system?
What would it take to fix the nation's child welfare system, in order to ensure that all children get the care and protection they need and deserve?
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Documentary team covering demonstration at the Massachusetts State House
An unprecedented reporting team comprised of seasoned journalists with decades of experience covering child welfare nationally, intrepid student journalists doing enterprise reporting on this story, and leading national experts is working to identify and expose the underlying systemic problems in the child welfare system.
This includes the unfair and disproportionate impact of the failed child system on parents who have disabilities, mental health, and substance abuse issues; victims of domestic violence; people of color; and those facing economic hardship.
Finally, this non-profit independent documentary production, slated for festival, theatrical, and public television release, will be accompanied by a deep community and educational outreach campaign to engage the public in seeking changes that can and will help protect and care for children in need and strengthen families. Broken will shed light and propose working solutions -- and by doing so will save lives.
Please make your tax-deductible pledge now -- and then follow the film on Seed and Spark and receive our updates and spread the word through your social media network and emails.
Your pledge is critical to helping the film reach its funding goal, which will allow the team to access the funds pledged here for the Pre-production and Production phases of the film during which the research and filming is taking place. No contribution is too small!
If additional funds are raised in excess of our goal, they will be used for the Post production/editing phase of the film for which we anticipate raising additional funds in the fall of 2022 or early 2023.
Please click here to make your donation now and help us create a national dialogue on the future protection and welfare of American's 73 million children.
All funds are administered by our 501(c)(3) non-profit fiscal sponsor, Filmmaker Collaborative, and all donations are tax-deductible.
Thank you for your kind interest and support for this critical documentary production and outreach effort.
Incentives
$15
Supporter
With your critical donation of $15, you will be thanked as a Donor on the website of the film, and by doing so you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary examination of the nation's child welfare system -- and help save lives. Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you. 
$25
Supporter
With your critical donation of $25, you will be thanked as a Supporter in the film credits -- and you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives.
Additionally, you will receive a digital copy of our original action list "52 Simple Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System." And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" (date and location to be announced.) Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$100
Donor
With your critical donation of $100, you will be thanked as a donor in the film credits -- and you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives. Plus, a copy of our original "52 Simple Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System" action sheet.
Finally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$500
Funder
With your critical donation of $500, you will receive a prominent thank you as an Funder in the film credits and other promotional and outreach materials -- and you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives. Plus, a copy of our original "52 Simple Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System" action sheet. Additionally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for a special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$1,000
Major Funder
With your critical donation of $1,000, you will receive a prominent acknowledgement as an Major Funder in the film credits and other promotional and outreach materials -- and you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives. Plus, a copy of our original "52 Simple Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System" action sheet. Additionally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$5,000
Underwriter
With your critical donation of $5,000, you will receive a prominent acknowledgement as an Underwriter in the film credits and other promotional and outreach materials. By doing so you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives.
Also, a copy of our original "52 Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System" action sheet. Additionally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
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$10,000
Major Underwriter
With your generous donation of $10,000, you will receive a prominent acknowledgement as a Major Underwriter in the film credits and in promotional and outreach materials. By doing so you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives. Plus, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers.
Finally, you or someone you designate, can spend a day working as a volunteer Production Assistant on the documentary film either at our Somerville, MA offices or from home anywhere in the world, and get recognized in the final credits. A great gift for the future documentary filmmaker in your life, or if you've always wanted to be part of a documentary film crew. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
Claimed: 1 of 2
$25,000
Executive Producer
With your generous contribution of $25,000, you can add your name to the documentary as an Executive Producer with a prominent acknowledgement in the main credits of the film.
Your credit as an Executive Producer will also be included in all promotional and outreach material and will be submitted to IMDB (Internet Movie Database). Additionally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
Claimed: 0 of 3
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
Supporter
With your critical donation of $15, you will be thanked as a Donor on the website of the film, and by doing so you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary examination of the nation's child welfare system -- and help save lives. Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you. $25
Supporter
With your critical donation of $25, you will be thanked as a Supporter in the film credits -- and you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives.
Additionally, you will receive a digital copy of our original action list "52 Simple Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System." And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" (date and location to be announced.) Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$100
Donor
With your critical donation of $100, you will be thanked as a donor in the film credits -- and you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives. Plus, a copy of our original "52 Simple Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System" action sheet.
Finally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$500
Funder
With your critical donation of $500, you will receive a prominent thank you as an Funder in the film credits and other promotional and outreach materials -- and you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives. Plus, a copy of our original "52 Simple Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System" action sheet. Additionally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for a special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$1,000
Major Funder
With your critical donation of $1,000, you will receive a prominent acknowledgement as an Major Funder in the film credits and other promotional and outreach materials -- and you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives. Plus, a copy of our original "52 Simple Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System" action sheet. Additionally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$5,000
Underwriter
With your critical donation of $5,000, you will receive a prominent acknowledgement as an Underwriter in the film credits and other promotional and outreach materials. By doing so you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives.
Also, a copy of our original "52 Things You Can Do to Create a More Equitable Child Protection System" action sheet. Additionally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
$10,000
Major Underwriter
With your generous donation of $10,000, you will receive a prominent acknowledgement as a Major Underwriter in the film credits and in promotional and outreach materials. By doing so you will help ensure the production of this critically important documentary -- and save lives. Plus, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers.
Finally, you or someone you designate, can spend a day working as a volunteer Production Assistant on the documentary film either at our Somerville, MA offices or from home anywhere in the world, and get recognized in the final credits. A great gift for the future documentary filmmaker in your life, or if you've always wanted to be part of a documentary film crew. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
Claimed: 1 of 2
$25,000
Executive Producer
With your generous contribution of $25,000, you can add your name to the documentary as an Executive Producer with a prominent acknowledgement in the main credits of the film.
Your credit as an Executive Producer will also be included in all promotional and outreach material and will be submitted to IMDB (Internet Movie Database). Additionally, you will receive invitations to an exclusive on-line film premiere to include a live Q&A with the filmmakers. And two tickets for special screening of LCMedia Production's documentary "West 47th Street" followed by meet-and-greet (date and location to be announced). Plus, be in the running to win by random drawing a signed Peter Simon portrait of Bob Marley or one of three "WBCN and The American Revolution" gift packs. Thank you.
Claimed: 0 of 3
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Producer: Bill Lichtenstein is a Peabody Award-winning print and broadcast journalist and documentary producer who has covered national child welfare issues for more than four decades.
Bill has received more than 60 major journalism honors including a George Foster Peabody Award; United Nations Media Award; three National News Emmy Award nominations; eight National Headliner Awards; and four Gracie Awards from the American Women in Radio and TV, along with other journalism honors.
Bill previously worked for seven years for ABC News producing investigative reports for “20/20,” “World News Tonight” and “Nightline,” and has written extensively for the Huffington Post, Nation, Newsday, New York Times, New York Daily News, Village Voice, Boston Globe, and TV Guide on child welfare, health and media issues.
Bill’s work covering (and uncovering) critical stories about the welfare of children over the past 40 years includes:
* Bill was on the ABC News team that broke the Atlanta child murders story and co-produced a 20/20 report on the deaths of children in state custody in Oklahoma following a nine-month investigation that led to an overhaul of the state’s human services department and the resignation of its long-time director.
* Bill and LCMedia produced "If I Get Out Alive," a one-hour radio documentary narrated by Academy Award-winning actress and child advocate Diane Keaton, which exposed the systematic abuse and brutality faced by juveniles in the adult prison system, as well as diversion programs to keep young offenders from prison. The program was used as part of national educational outreach campaign.
* Bill was a 2005 Guggenheim Fellow and studied the intersection of children's welfare and foster care; children’s mental health; education; and the family court/juvenile justice systems, and the need for coordinated care for youth-at-risk that involves all four areas.
* Bill's groundbreaking article revealed the national practice of locking children at school in seclusion or "time out" rooms and using physical restraints on kids as young as five years old. His reporting was later honored by the Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism and along with Congressman Joe Kennedy III he received a Special Recognition Award from the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health.
* Bill's article "Mass. Problems for Kids" for the Huffington Post exposed a myriad of fatal problems for kids in the Massachusetts state child welfare system including 103 deaths in a three-year period.
* Bill's documentary film West 47th Street followed three years in the lives of four people with serious mental illness and won Best Documentary" at the Atlanta Film Festival, aired on PBS’s documentary series P.O.V., and was called “must see” by Newsweek. Bill's latest film, "WBCN and The American Revolution" and companion book on MIT Press/Penguin Random House, tells the untold story of the early days of the legendary Boston radio station to examine how media can create social change. Both the film, which aired on PBS, and the book received multiple award
Reporter: Brooke Lewitas is a Boston University graduate student investigative journalist. As a student journalist, she has worked as a reporter and editor in local, national, and university newsrooms. Passionate about the intersection of families and social justice, she hopes to change public perception about child welfare systems.
Research Intern: Anya Rao is a journalism student.
The Advisory Board for Thrownaway Kids that will help ensure the precision, accuracy and balance of the documentary includes the following national experts in child welfare and related matters:
Bill Bettencourt, Center for the Study of Social Policy, Caroline (CC) Clauss-Ehlers is an associate professor of psychology at Rutgers University and a member of the Advisory Board of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships in Mental Health Journalism; Alan Dettlaff, Dean of the Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston; Irene Linda Gordon is a University Professor of the Humanities and Florence Kelley Professor of History at New York University; Kate Lowenstein, Multisystem Youth Projects Director, Citizens for Juvenile Justice; Dr. Eli Newberger and Dr. Carolyn Newberger, nationally recognized child development experts; and Richard Wexler, Executive Director, National Coalition for Child Protection Reform.
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