Categories: Member News
09.16.2016
Conversations recorded at StoryCorps’ flagship booth at Foley Square.
In 2016, we continued our thriving collaboration with StoryCorps, the widely honored nonprofit that describes itself as “America’s oral history project,” and had the opportunity to record, preserve, and share the stories of 30 supportive housing tenants and staff members from Bailey House, Brooklyn Community Housing and Services (BCHS), Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS), Community Access, Housing and Services, Inc. (HSI), Housing Plus Solutions, Project Renewal, Services for the UnderServed (SUS), The Door, The Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, St. Francis Friends of the Poor, Urban Pathways, and Volunteers of America – Greater New York.
Here are highlights from a few of these conversations - the audio links are typically just 3-5 minutes.
Dina Zempsky, Managing Director of StoryBooths, StoryCorps said “The Network - StoryCorps collaboration was an organic example of how storytelling supports the development of personal growth and self-efficacy. StoryCorps was honored to participate in this unique project and to develop a treasure trove of recordings for the supportive housing community.” Sylvie Lubow, Associate Director, Community Engagement, of StoryCorps’ Military Voices initiative continued: “While the stories ranged in topic and theme, many participants spoke about how their quality of life dramatically improved after being placed in supportive housing. It was a pleasure to work with the Network and to celebrate New York's vibrant supportive housing community through storytelling.”
Community Access tenant Shannon Landy said, "Sharing my story brought sunshine to me and to the many other other victims and advocates in the universe, giving us hope, inspiration and empowerment for our journey ahead. I represent a voice for all the victims who lost their battle to find a safe place to reside."
And here are some final thoughts from James Martin, Senior Housing Outreach Specialist for Downtown Goddard Riverside Outreach, who shared a conversation with Alexander Griffin, a veteran who spent decades homeless and living on the street, “It’s not often that we as people get the chance to sit down and replay stories of our past, and it can end up being very therapeutic when we do get that chance. Especially for people who have lived through the inherently traumatic event of having to sleep on the street. Reflecting back on those stories and experiences can help people move past those experiences and begin anew. Alexander’s story is remarkable. He spent thirty years sleeping on the street and is now doing amazing in his own apartment. That’s not an easy transition to make for anyone, and that’s often one of the biggest struggles we see people having. StoryCorps was able to further provide him with a chance to reflect on and assess the past events of his life. Recording his story, and others like his, might provide someone out there with hope for their own lives.”
A heartfelt thanks to StoryCorps, and to all our nonprofit providers, staff members, and tenants who shared their stories as part of our partnership!