Facilitating Stories
Being intentional is critical to effective facilitation, especially when guiding storytelling as a tool for social change. The process requires a deep awareness of the needs of both the facilitator and the community, as these needs can vary widely across different settings. What works in one context may not work in another, so facilitators must remain flexible and responsive to the unique dynamics and cultural contexts of each group. While the methods described here can be adapted to any social justice issue, in this context, they are focused on the critical work of reproductive and birth justice.
Basic Steps for Supporting Story-Sharing
Create a Brave Space
Ensure the environment feels welcoming, respectful, and confidential.
Clarify Intentions
Set clear goals for the storytelling process, emphasizing the importance of empowerment and healing.
Invite Participation
Encourage individuals to share their experiences in their own time and words, ensuring they feel supported throughout.
Set Boundaries
Establish guidelines to protect the emotional well-being of participants and facilitate healthy, compassionate engagement.
Encourage Reflection
Allow space for participants to reflect on their stories, including how they connect to larger issues of social justice.
End with Action
Ensure the session concludes with concrete steps or a collective commitment to advancing justice in the community.
In this video, Ada Cuadrado-Medina of Food Culture Collective discusses key components of building a storytelling community, emphasizing the importance of trust, consent, and active listening. Ada's narrative is critical to the ongoing conversations about the power of storytelling and how it can foster deeper connections and meaningful change within communities.
01.
Toolkit on Ethics, Power, Positionality, and Context
This toolkit provides essential guidance on navigating the ethical considerations involved in storytelling. It explores power dynamics, the facilitator’s positionality, and the importance of contextual awareness to ensure the storytelling process is approached with respect, humility, and cultural sensitivity.
03.
Toolkit for Applying the Storytelling Project Model to Reproductive Injustice
This toolkit offers a step-by-step approach for using the Storytelling Project Model in the context of reproductive and birth justice. It provides a structured framework to guide facilitators and participants through the process, ensuring that each story contributes to a broader movement for change.
02.
Toolkit on the Power of Storytelling in Reproductive Justice
In this toolkit, you'll find strategies to harness the power of storytelling as a tool for reproductive justice. It emphasizes how personal narratives can highlight systemic issues, raise awareness, and inspire collective action to challenge reproductive injustices.
