2026 Collaborative Conversations: "Gone Guys" Film Screening & Discussion Panel

When young people lose their path, whole communities feel it.

Gone Guys is a 45-minute documentary inspired by Richard V. Reeves’ Of Boys and Men. Set in rural Vermont, the film brings national data to life through personal stories of young men, educators, mentors, and innovative programs working to re-engage boys and young men in their communities. The film tackles difficult but important questions about “disconnected youth,” while reinforcing that caring more about boys and men does not mean caring less about women and girls.

Following the screening, we will host a panel discussion focused on how our region can better support and engage disconnected youth, drawing on lived experience, education, workforce pathways, and community-based solutions.

For the Chamber, this conversation is about helping more young people see a future for themselves here as connected community members with purpose, opportunity, and pathways into meaningful work.

Panelists:

• Donald L Birx, PhD, President of Plymouth State University and Keene State College Interim President
• Gina Pasquale, PsyD, Executive Director of Maps Counseling
• Sarah Jenness, Director at Jobs for the Future, who cowrote a paper titled “Design and Implementation of College and Career Pathways on Rural Communities.”
• Evenor Pineda, CPSS Intervention Services Director, Manchester Police Athletic League

About Collaborative Conversations

GMC's Collaborative Conversations brings together regional leaders, nonprofit professionals, educators, public officials, and community members to explore issues shaping the Monadnock Region. The focus is on education and informed dialogue around topics that influence leadership, community well-being, civic responsibility, and regional opportunity.

Programs may take the form of leadership workshops, documentary screenings, panel discussions, or facilitated presentations led by subject-matter experts. Each event is designed to deepen understanding, strengthen regional awareness, and encourage thoughtful engagement across sectors.