In addition to our Key Initiatives, Story Tapestries offers Named Initiatives that address a specific set of challenges facing our community. Explore them all below!
Discover the Power of the Written Word
From the beginning of time, writing has had the ability to empower, anger, hurt, encourage, or excite someone. Through a series of writing experiences (performances and workshops), the audience discovers the power of their words to tell a story, teach someone about a topic or persuade someone to feel a particular emotion. A presentation, be it a reading of a published piece or a performance gives an opportunity for Story Tapestries to highlight our large network of literary artists. A writing residency creates an atmosphere where students will use strategies to redefine and/or polish their written voice.
Experience this program through:
Performances: Experience a literary artist performing for a small audience or a large assembly of children, families or adults.
Readings: Experiencing the joy of a Visiting Author presenting their work:
Workshop or a Residency: Take one of Story Tapestries’ Workshops or Produce your writers-in-residence experience with Story Tapestries’ Writers
Write Your Story
Write Your Story (WYS – pronounced “wise”) is ST’s approach to promoting accessibility and inclusivity in learning environments to support youth and adults at every level of development. of the writing skills. Led by professional literary artists, Write Your Story centers storytelling, writing, and narrative performance as tools for learning, accessibility, and voice development. WYS aims to reach young people directly in their learning environment, during and out of school time, with arts experiences including performances by literary artists and artist-in-residencies. Following our belief that to sustainably impact youth you must also impact the adults who interact with them daily, WYS includes Professional Development workshops for educators and family engagement experiences that share tools and tips with parents so they can better support their children at home. Art Kits that include supplies and guided lessons further support at-home learning and the honoring of literary artists. Program design is responsive to needs that are identified collaboratively with the community, including supporting literacy, social-emotional learning (SEL), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and 21st century skills development. This approach is particularly beneficial for students who are behind their peers in academic achievement, who live in households in or near poverty, speak English as a second language, and/or have identified special needs.
Click to learn more, view reports and watch videos about Write Your Story.
Write Your Story for Early Childhood
Sage Stories
Sage Stories
Sage Stories is a literary arts–centered initiative that engages older adults through storytelling, writing, poetry, spoken word, movement, music and visual arts honoring lived experience as a source of creative expression and community connection. Led by professional artists, the program centers story as both an artistic practice and a way of making meaning across a lifetime.
Sage Stories engages seniors through interactive storytelling performances and artist-led workshops that support participants in telling, shaping, and sharing their own stories. Programs may incorporate writing, spoken word, photography, and digital tools as accessible forms of narrative expression—supporting creativity, reflection, and voice in ways that meet older adults where they are.
For older adults who are homebound or prefer independent engagement, Sage Stories also includes Art Kits—curated materials paired with guided activities that support creativity, dexterity, and ongoing connection to story. Together, these offerings support older adults to age with dignity, creativity, and connection, while remaining active contributors to cultural memory and community life.
Digital Solutions that Bridge the Divide
CHART a Path to Positive Mental Health
CHART creates healthy arts experiences that support social-emotional development. It is an intensive program with a special focus on how to support their mental health and social emotional development. Led by professional artists, the program uses storytelling, writing, songwriting, dance and narrative-based arts practices to help children and adults process experiences, build emotional awareness, and strengthen resilience. Our program approach works with all aspects of an individual’s network including caregivers and educators to set them on a positive trajectory.he presentation of literary artists focused on mental health creates an environment where everyone feels their voice is valued. The workshops integrating the arts promotes accessibility and equity in learning, therefore closing the gap for individuals with limited access to resources, which in turn improves their health outlook.Children and families are experiencing great mental health challenges as well as economic hardship. Many children have fallen behind their peers in academic achievement. In addition, many adults who were struggling to improve their economic situation long before the pandemic now are set back even further by stress, burnout, feelings of isolation, and other mental health struggles. Story Tapestries has the tools and community connections to be able to reach these individuals, their educators, their caregivers and family members with a unique set of resources and services that boost their learning, overcoming barriers such as access and language, while also increasing an important ingredient in their daily lives – JOY!
Learning Full STEAM Ahead
Learning Full STEAM Ahead is how Story Tapestries uses the arts as a tool to develop high-impact programs that build 21st-century skills such as problem solving and critical thinking. Applying the arts to Science, Math, Engineering and Technology unlocks students’ ability to engage in more complex reasoning while boosting social-emotional development. Our program approach works with all aspects of a child’s network including caregivers and educators to set them on a positive trajectory for a lifelong love of learning.
Learn more about how you can support these Named Initiatives through our Scholarship Program, or make a general Donation to bring free programs and services to the community members who need them most.