Russell Storytelling Project

BACKGROUND:

The Russell Storytelling Project is an innovative grassroots initiative in Louisville, Kentucky which utilizes personal narratives to foster and strengthen community cohesion. By providing a platform for individuals to share their experiences, the initiative promotes empathy, resilience and a shared sense of community pride.

THE NEWS: 

In a recent display of community solidarity, the Russell Storytelling Project convened a group of more than 100 people – seniors, neighbors and local artists – for a unique storytelling exhibit. The event showcased the distinctive stories and shared experiences of the Russell neighborhood.

WHY IT MATTERS:

• The project created opportunities for families and neighbors of diverse backgrounds to connect through shared experiences within the Russell community. It also sparked future engagement by transforming shared stories into a catalyst for neighborhood development.

• The storytelling exhibit promoted a sense of togetherness among residents, reducing social isolation and loneliness, particularly among seniors and individuals with disabilities.

IMPACT AREAS:

This program addressed the Humana Foundation’s focus areas of creating healthy emotional connections (senior population) by using storytelling to reduce social isolation, particularly among seniors, and health equity, promoting equity in mental health services by using a community-based approach to tackle common mental health concerns like loneliness and distress. 

WHAT’S NEXT:

Project has inspired collective efforts to enhance the quality of life in Russell. As one member of the neighborhood said, “This project helped me grow closer to my community and artists that were involved. I was able to visually see how we all were different but had the same similarities going through phases and hardships we encounter in life.”