Building Community through Stories
In hard times and joyous ones, we can rely on the strength and healing power of sharing our stories in caring community. The Stories that Save Us is an event dedicated to setting aside time to reflect and create together.
At The Stories That Saves Us workshop, we offer time to listen, share, and create new narratives through oral storytelling, writing, and visual art. No experience is necessary and no judgment is welcome as we gather with new friends to create freely and learn from one another.
A virtual gathering for reflection and renewal
Because stories are what make us feel whole: That good feeling of finishing a well-written book or settling in on a cozy couch with a friend, even spilling hard truths in an essay, all of these things give us the fuel and emotional freedom to keep going when going seems impossible. Being honest can feel like pain for a moment but before too long it begins to feel like freedom.
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Upcoming Dates:
September 19, 2026
&
December 12, 2026
〰️ Upcoming Dates: September 19, 2026 & December 12, 2026
Our Stories in Three Parts
Part One: Chaos & Calm
The world is chaotic, how do we stay (or get) calm and focus on the places and space where we can have genuine impact? Using the comfort of cozy conversation, guided by Bellamy Shoffner, we'll discuss this rather unique time in human existence and how we can be revolutionary examples of focused calm and intention amidst the fray.
With a focus on Oral Storytelling through prepared prompts.
We begin by leaning into vulnerability, laughter, and surprise as we share brief tales of who we are.
Part Two: Cultivating Courage
What does it take to go against the grain and stand up for your values? We'll muse on cultivating a culture of courage in your home, school, or institution. Connect with other gatherers on the ways we find courage, rage productively, and live to fight another day against harmful systems.
With a focus on Written Narratives through time for journaling and optional reading of your own writing.
Through a guided journaling exercise, you'll reignite your relationship with the written word and embrace the power of documenting your story.
Part Three: Better than Before
Celebrate your strengths and rely on the truth of your experiences to create a lovely, tangible piece of art. Leave our virtual studio with a creative visual that emphasizes your specific goals for the one-day story of your future.
With a focus on storytelling through visual arts.
Together we'll workshop hindrances to creating visual art and low barrier ways to tell your story through building a creative practice. Our guest artist shares a personal piece, the story it tells, and why it was created. We’ll answer a few questions about art as narrative.
What to Expect:
What Do I Need?
For virtual sessions, we will email you a short supply list of everyday items that will help you make the most of Stories. In most cases, you won’t need to buy anything special but you may want to have a few printed photos for the art portion.
For in person sessions (TBD), all supplies are provided, although you are welcome to bring photos or specific collage materials that may speak to you.
Cost to attend is $100. No one is turned away due to inability to pay, reach out via our contact page.
Who Can Join Us?
Our workshops and events are open to kind-hearted leftists of all genders and specifically designed for women and femmes.
Upcoming Date(s)
All times are 10am - 1pm ET, 9am - 12pm CT unless otherwise noted.
Virtual: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Virtual: Friday, October 23, 2026
Virtual: Monday, November 16, 2026 at 6 PM ET
Virtual: December 12, 2026
Schedule includes breaks.
Embracing personal storytelling as a path to radical progress.
The Stories that Save Us is a virtual workshop to embrace personal storytelling as a path to radical progress both personally and for our communities. During this event we will chat about some of our most impactful stories and the ways we have been and continue to be changed by them. We'll celebrate the healing power of sharing and write some new stories through guided journal prompts. During the second half of this three part workshop we’ll include a discussion of using collage to tell a story and we'll engage in prompted collage-making and inquisition tailored to attendees.
Your Registration includes:
Admission to the virtual event which takes place in one 3-hour session, with scheduled breaks.
An exclusive downloadable PDF guide to embracing the power of story.
Access to a living Story Keeper that grows over time with participation from host and attendees
An invitation to join a complimentary secondary writing session to be scheduled within 3 months of the event.
Sample Schedule
Welcome & Check-in
Session: Chaos & Calm
Presentation and Discussion and Oral Storytelling
-Quick Break
Session: Cultivating Courage
-Longer Break &
Journaling session
-Quick Break
Session: Better than Before
Collaging/mixed media arts
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and grab your spot using the Register button below.
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Our space is intentionally inclusive and centered around women, femmes, and nonbinary folks.
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Hosted by Revolutionary Humans’ Bellamy Shoffner
Bellamy Shoffner (she/they) is a personal essayist specializing in true stories that confront and expand upon the complexity of human emotions. Bellamy is a Black, queer, single parent with chronic illness, all of which make Bellamy an emphatic truth teller about society’s failures and tools of oppression. When not writing or creating, Bellamy can be found seeking both literal and figurative sunshine while making a dollar out of 15 cents.
Bellamy’s work can be found in publications such as HuffPost, Narratively, and Scary Mommy, as well as in interviews with NPR’s With Good Reason, CBC’s Out In The Open, and local print and TV news. Bellamy joins inspirational change makers quoted in the coffee table book Words of Change: Antiracism by Kenrya Rankin. Bellamy has also orchestrated community movements and events including a successful fresh foods drive, retreats, and fundraising for notable causes.
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Yes, each session will be unique, even if there’s slight overlap in some of the introductory content. Join one, join them all, we’d love to have you!
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Bonus materials will be emailed to you the week before your chosen session.
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We won’t turn anyone away because of inability to pay. Please reach out via our contact page and we’ll help you get registered.
