Creating Connections – One Story at a Time
Listening for a Change promotes understanding and acceptance of human diversity through education, oral history, and the arts.
As our communities become increasingly diverse, it is imperative that we find meaningful ways to respect and understand the rich and complex cultures among us. Building connections. Fostering understanding. Working to dispel otherness. Developing oral histories and art projects based upon personal stories of community members is a catalyst for positive change.
Listening for a Change currently implements five dynamic programs. The Essence of Acceptance, Crosstown Conversations, and the Neighborhood Listening Project are for schools. Curriculum designed for elementary, secondary, and tertiary schools includes support materials, classroom modeling, and coaching. The Community Listening Project is for the community-at-large and the Inclusion and Connections program is for businesses and non-profits.
Our Latest Project
Listening for a Change’s latest project is a documentary film, Embers of Awakening: From Firestorms to Climate Health (formerly Firestorm Climate Awakening) that is in its final stages of editing. Watch our 6 ½ minute trailer to learn more.
Sixty mile an hour winds, tinder dry hills, firestorm tornadoes that melted cars while traveling the length of a football field every three seconds—in October 2017, Sonoma County lost 22 lives, 5200 structures, and awoke to the pain of climate change. Embers of Awakening blends the powerful personal stories of fire survivors with interviews from scientists and activists to inspire each viewer to take action.
Sonoma County experienced nearly identical fires 53 years apart but the results were vastly different. We ask questions: What happened during those years that generated such a devastating fire?
Scientists clearly state that the window of opportunity to make lasting change shrinks daily. We ask the questions: How can we awaken one another quickly and what can each person do to make a difference? We want viewers to leave with active hope–reflecting on the science and stories shared and considering what they can personally do to contribute to the greatest existential challenge our planet has faced.
It is not too late to become an Impact Partner. Support our project and help heal our community and climate. To donate now, click here.
Connections. Compassion. Change.
Sonoma County Survivor Project
Our founding project shares the dramatic stories of Holocaust survivors, interned Japanese Americans, and Cambodian refugees living in Sonoma County. The exhibit documents their history and celebrates their resiliency amidst severe human rights deprivations.
Human Rights and Community Connections
History and Healing After the Fire
Justice and Equity Through Interviews
Visit our touch-screen computer kiosks loaded with video stories of local residents.
Each interview is translated into Spanish or English. Interviews were conducted by students from multiple local schools. Oral history lessons, video camera recording, and editing by Listening for a Change. Through simple touch screen instructions, viewers are able to watch short videos of residents thereby beginning to know one another and creating a stronger, more inclusive community fabric.
The Cloverdale kiosk has been updated and is now located at the Windsor Library.
The Santa Rosa kiosk, currently at the Rohnert Park Library, has been uploaded with video interviews of community members.
