Blue Baby: A Fight for America's Youth

The Horizons of Hope Film Series will take place on Feb 11, 18, and 25 with screenings at 2PM and 7PM. Only the 7PM screenings will be followed by a Q&A with members of each film's creative team and subject matter experts. All screenings are free, but we hope you choose to make a $20 suggested donation!

Diana Lauritson is a Senior Marketing and Business Development Executive with over 20 years of experience, including 13 years specializing in the legal industry. She is known for her expertise in developing and executing strategic marketing initiatives that enhance brand awareness, drive market positioning, and accelerate revenue growth for law firms.

As a Boys Town alum, she has firsthand experience with the adversity many face and uses her resilience journey to inspire others. Her passion for mentorship drives her to support individuals in achieving their goals, particularly those who have faced significant hardships.

Diana holds a Master of Science in Negotiation & Dispute Resolution from Creighton University School of Law and an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. Diana is also an active member of the Legal Marketing Association, currently serving as secretary on its International Board of Directors.

Tyler Simmons is a strength and conditioning specialist with 10 years of experience in athletic performance and physical education. Currently, he serves as a founding Middle School Grade Team Lead and Physical Education Teacher in the South Bronx, focusing on building confidence through progressive skill development, physical literacy, and sport exposure for children in under-resourced communities. In addition to his work in education, Tyler coaches strength & conditioning for a college athletics program and contributes to a non-profit organization in New York City dedicated to bridging the
opportunity gap for student-athletes from youth through their academic and athletic careers. 

As an alum of a Boys Town, Tyler has firsthand experience navigating adversity, which has fueled his passion for mentorship and community impact. His work extends beyond coaching, as he continues to support and volunteer with organizations dedicated to youth development, mental health, and education equity. Many of the struggles that Boys Town youth face due issues regarding mental health, poverty, and quality of education resonate with Tyler in his own story which has given him the drive for helping others.

Tyler holds a Master’s degree in Applied Exercise Science from Concordia University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Black Hills State University, along with multiple certifications in strength and conditioning, speed training, and sports performance. His expertise includes developing training programs, coaching at elite showcases, and mentoring athletes to achieve their highest potential. Passionate about fostering growth and resilience, he embodies his personal mantra, "FEED THE BEAST," as a driving force behind his coaching philosophy.

Dr. Joseph “Jose” Silva has been an advocate for youth, education, and the
community for over 29 years. Dr. Jose Silva graduated from the University of Colorado Denver in 2019. In 2023. Dr. Jose Silva was named Vice President of Equity Initiatives for Generation Schools Network. In 2022, Dr. Jose Silva joined the Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers as their inaugural Chief Engagement Officer. In this role, Dr. Silva led the Engagement Division and a $6 Million dollar budget. The departments consisted of Membership/Chapter, Convention/Events and Philanthropy and Major Giving. In 2019, Dr. Silva became the first Chief Executive Officer for the Colorado Association for Infant Mental Health. Prior to CoAIMH, Dr. Silva is the Founder/Principal of Metrix Consulting-
Political and Education Group. In this role, Jose has helped to develop College
Readiness, Leadership Development and School & Home Safety curriculums, Entry to Exit School Safety Curriculum and is a National Leader in Restorative Practices.

Dr. Patrick Tyler, Ph.D., LIMHP, LPC, is the Senior Director of the Child and Family Translational Research Center at Boys Town in Nebraska. He has 30 years of clinical, administrative, and research experience in residential, school, and family-based treatment services for children and families. He earned his doctorate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in Education with an emphasis in emotional and behavioral disorders and is an Independently Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Nebraska. As a researcher and clinician, his focus is on translating research into practice to improve the design, implementation, and dissemination of effective treatment interventions for children and families, with a specialization in trauma, violence, and resilience.

Kichelle L. Coleman is a dedicated Advocacy and Policy Advisor for Boys Town, drawing on over 30 years of diverse experience in child welfare. Before assuming her current role, she served as the Executive Director of the Boys Town Washington DC, where she honed her leadership skills in nonprofit organizations, residential care, foster care, behavioral health, and community-based programming.

As a clinically licensed social worker, Kichelle holds a master’s degree in social work from Howard University and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminology from Rutgers University. Her educational background complements her extensive hands-on experience in the field.

A native of Paterson, New Jersey, Kichelle has always been passionate about working with vulnerable populations and communities similar to her own upbringing. She skillfully leverages both her lived experiences and professional background to advocate for policies that prioritize the safety, well-being, and future of young people. Through her work, Kichelle continues to make a significant impact in the lives of those she serves.

Are people inherently bad? Or are they victims of their circumstances?

Can people who disagree on deeply divisive issues find a way to respect each other? Protect each other?

In our lowest moments, how do we resist isolation and despair to instead choose connection, community, and healing?

These are questions we can frame squarely within the context of faith and spirituality, but they are also the most human of questions to grapple with. What do we do when confronted with our own fallibility, our vulnerability, and our need to love and be loved?

This powerful collection of narratives on film offers a poignant look at the very human faces beneath the sound bites, headlines, and talking points. As each of these individuals face their struggles, we are invited to bear witness to the extraordinary resilience and grace that emerges in the pursuit of healing and hope.

Read More About the Series