Building Community Through Words

We recognize that the world may feel heavy right now. So many of us are feeling scared, facing the unknown, and witnessing actions that are dividing us even further.

In conversations with friends, family, and co-workers, we are asking ourselves, what can we do to help? To make a difference? To heal and connect rather than divide?

For us, one answer is: story. We need to be sharing our personal stories and experiences. And we need to be sharing these stories in supportive, inclusive spaces that allow us to process what our stories really mean. That deepen meaningful connections with one another. That build and strengthen community.

Stories connect us by reminding us of our shared humanity. When we hear someone else’s story, we can begin to understand life outside of our own experiences. Our perspectives shift. Empathy is born. Kindness is activated. 

Last week at our Firefly: Stories Out Loud event at the Two River Theater, we heard stories from three featured storytellers and five people whose names were pulled randomly from a hat. One woman shared how she was motivated after a health issue to commit to running races, building to a triathlon. She shared how her brother had passed but she still felt his spirit supporting her as she trained. She recalled how, as children, their beach was covered with starfish. She would capture these starfish and bring them home. One summer she returned to the beach and there were no starfish. Her brother joked that she had caused them to disappear. Years later, when she crossed the finish line of her first triathlon, she was given a medal … of a starfish! When she shared this part of the story, the audience gasped. In awe of the magic of the story. In awe of being present together for this moment.

Recently, writers gathered virtually in our Zoom Open Mic. Threads quickly showed themselves as original words were shared and organic themes began to emerge—stories about family, about nature, about identity. Some writers just heard each other’s voices for the first time and were so touched that they reached out privately to continue the connection offline. Sharing stories moved beyond screens to deeper human interaction.

At Red Bank Middle School, our 7th and 8th grade AVID students recently wrote about first-time experiences. One student began sharing a memory of a class trip to a local university. This lit up the room as other students began remembering things from their own experiences throughout that same trip. Hands and arms waved: “I remember that! The school was so big I was afraid I’d get lost!” “That was the best day!” What started as one student sharing a story turned into a classroom conversation—a bigger, collective story where each student had a “chapter” of their own. 

The feedback we receive after any of our workshops or storytelling events is how good people feel after participating, whether they share their words or listen. “I really needed to be here,” “I feel more connected,” “I’m reminded that we are more alike than different,” “I feel more hopeful.”

In 2026, Project Write Now is committed to creating even more of these welcoming, healing spaces. Whether we’re telling true, first-person stories on stage or writing and sharing in an intimate circle, we invite people to come as they are. To use writing as a tool to make sense of their feelings and the world around them.

To use words as bridges that help us feel less alone and remind us of the goodness, joy, and hope that exist in all of us. 

We invite you to join us. Our doors are always open and we want to hear your story.