HSC's Storytelling Initiative

HSC's storytelling initiative uses the experiences of our clients, staff and partners as tools for reflection, learning and advocacy.

We believe that by relating personal anecdotes about community struggles and triumphs, an individual becomes an agent for neighborhood improvement while simultaneously attaining personal empowerment. Honest expression and first-person narrative allow our organization to highlight authentic community needs.

Our current projects include:

• The HSC Story Bank, a collection of stories from members of the community about triumphs and tribulations navigating the health care system, becoming active in the community, advocating for children, etc. These stories may be used in fighting for better health care, tax reform or more funding for human services. We may also share them (with permission) with members of the press so that they may illustrate a need or successful program in the community. Have a story to tell? Contact Gretchen Beesing.
• Collaboration with the 1000 Voices Archive: HSC linked residents of Miami-Dade County with the folks from the Archive to tell their stories about becoming agents of change.
• Storytelling for Social Impact curriculum, developed by HSC's Gretchen Beesing and WLRN's Dan Gretch. This curriculum is taught in local universities.
• Senior financial literacy stories: HSC is working with WPBT to produce television segments for the Nightly Business Report about seniors who have had financial struggles. Have a story to tell? Contact Cal Soto.
• The Voice: in our e-newsletter we frequently feature stories about our clients or program participants who have overcome difficulties or are making a difference. See our News page for the latest issues and our archive.