About

Gaining Ground follows the activities of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative for three years in the depths of the Great Recession. Having successfully fought in the 1980s and 90s for a community voice in decisions about the Dudley Street neighborhood, DSNI is now an established force, with many of its current leaders having worked in the organization since they were teenagers. The film follows the organization’s leaders, from directors to youth volunteers, as they run for office, protect hundreds of families from foreclosure through a community land trust, figure out new ways to empower the next generation of youth, and navigate tricky waters with a powerful new partner, The Salvation Army.