Dear Friend, 

This month, we celebrate educators doing extraordinary work in their communities—from Illinois and New York in the United States to key cities in Kenya, the United Kingdom and beyond—educators are using N4 programs to build connections and help young people feel seen and heard.

Because of our innovative work and supporters like you, young people are finding their voice and using it to drive change.

This is the power of turning hope into action. 

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”      

Emily Dickinson    

Connecting Generations

📍 Illinois, United States

Clay County, Illinois is considered a resource desert for local youth, meaning higher poverty rates, limited services and fewer opportunities. After-school program Beyond the Bell provides a safe, supportive space for these young people to learn, connect and grow.

Beyond the Bell equips youth to make positive changes in their community by incorporating N4 Story Exchanges into their weekly programming. One of their programs, “Adopt-a-Grandparent”, creates links between students and older people in Clay County. 

Many of the program participants are middle and high school students facing barriers like limited access to basic resources and major family responsibilities. Beyond the Bell gives participants the tools and support they need to feel confident, grounded and understood.

This year, Beyond the Bell was named a Program of Distinction by Generations United—a highly selective annual recognition of intergenerational programs doing outstanding work. Read our interview with Teen REACH Program Coordinator Kat Holstlaw below. 

📍 Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya

As part of the global Unique & United Project, sponsored by Creative Visions, Narrative 4 Kenya is equipping the next generation with the skills to become compassionate community leaders. In Nairobi, the program has reached 400 students in 20 schools to date, with a further 300 students participating in Mombasa. Take a look at the video below for a glimpse into how the program is growing! 

 📍London and Brighton, England

Narrative 4 England is gaining momentum! We recently trained 20 new Story Exchange facilitators in London and Brighton, with plans to bring N4 programs to youth peace advocacy projects, schools and university classrooms in the coming months.

Check out the video to hear what newly-trained facilitator Manasi Barmecha from project UOK took from her Story Exchange experience!

If you’re in the United Kingdom and want to bring the power of story to your community, contact julia@narrative4.com to learn more. 

Award-Winning Research on Narrative 4
📍University of Limerick, Ireland

Congratulations to Jade Gill, winner of the Ignite National PhD Excellence Awards!  

Jade’s research focuses on how N4 programs can promote well-being and connection in young people from migrant backgrounds in the school community. We’re excited to see where Jade’s work leads!

Bridging the Gap: A Faculty and Student Story Exchange
📍NYU, New York (NY), United States

Last month, NYU students and faculty braved near blizzard conditions to join us for a Story Exchange workshop, which was part of the acclaimed "Part of A Mile in My Shoes" exhibition from the Empathy Museum. The workshop fostered a profound sense of connection and understanding and we look forward to the "next steps"!  

Celebrating a One-Year “UNIVersary”
📍 Marist University, Poughkeepsie (NY), United States

Marist University recently celebrated its one-year “UNIVersary” as hundreds of students, faculty and alumni gathered for a block party on campus to connect with one another and enjoy food, music, games and festivities. Staff and students took part in a Story Exchange, reflecting on their experiences at Marist and planning for the future.

Check out our blog post below to learn more about how colleges and universities have been using Narrative 4 programs to bring their campus communities closer together.

Help Us Reach More Youth:

Consider making a gift to Narrative 4 in support of our mission!