Organization: Creative Narrations

Devon and Ramón express how they got a second chance at their education through the Facilities Maintenance Program offered through the Boston Private Industry Council. This story was produced in a workshop offered to grantees of Commonwealth Corporation's B.E.S.T. initiative for older youth.

Sidmarie created this piece as part of her TeachBoston internship in the summer of 2006. In it, she talks about how seeing injustice in the schools fueled her passion for becoming a teacher. TeachBoston works with Boston youth to support them in becoming educators in the Boston Public Schools.

Lucia made this story for a series of workshops on education sponsored by the Boston YWCA. She uses the piece frequently in her work as a community organizer to stimulate dialogue among parents about participation in the school system.

"We need hardship like nature needs fire". As a firefighter on the Tohono O'odham reservation, Anthony learned some important lessons about life and overcoming struggles. He shares some of those lessons in this story.

"I never knew how powerful this song was going to be". In this story, Gertie, a local musician on the Tohono O'odham reservation near Tucson, reveals the inspiration behind one of her most requested songs.

In Whose Hands explores issues of international maternal and child health, development, and research in the context of the producer's experiences in rural India.

Jeff provides a compelling look at why youth and adults ignore the problem of domestic violence and teen dating violence. He, along with a group of youth, created these stories in the winter of 2006 and have screened them as part of Close to Home's ongoing community organizing work with local youth and families. To learn more, visit Close to Home's website.

Travis made this story as part of an effort by the Spartanburg County Foundation to learn more about the issue of youth criminal justice through digital storytelling. He and his peers showed their stories in public events and workshops with local youth to have them consider the choices they make and the consequences of bad decisions.