Our Work
Explore our upcoming training opportunities on community systems development and early childhood collaboration topics, accredited by both Gateways and The Center: Resources for Teaching and Learning.
Watch this webinar to learn how our new handbook, Facilitating Effective Community System Development Meetings: A Handbook for Collaboration Leaders can build your facilitation competence. Learn how it is unique, who can benefit, an introduction to the contents, and additional related supports.
July 10, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm
July 17, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm
July 31, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm
August 8, 2025, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Please note, this series will not be recorded.
If you are an early childhood community collaboration leader or partner, we invite you to join our Power of Storytelling Mini Cohort as a representative of your collaboration! Participants must have the approval of their collaboration and attend all four sessions, so please only register if you are able to do so.
Addressing the popular demand, this cohort dives deep into how storytelling can be used as a tool for trust-building, collective action, funding, and systemic change. Whether you’re strengthening partnerships, advocating for policies, or writing your next grant proposal, these sessions will equip you with the skills to center authentic community narratives and shift how stories are heard and used.
Cohort Overview:
Session 1: Storytelling for Connection & Collaboration We’ll explore how storytelling builds trust and shared purpose in community work. Learn to challenge deficit narratives, apply asset framing, and practice ethical storytelling that centers and honors lived experiences.
Session 2: Techniques for Collecting Community Stories This session offers hands-on tools for capturing stories through oral histories, digital storytelling, and collaborative story mapping. Learn how to plan and launch storytelling efforts rooted in healing and advocacy.
Session 3: Interviewing with Integrity & Intention Learn how to design and lead interviews that center trust, voice, and inclusion. You’ll practice writing strong questions, holding space, and using interviews to strengthen partnerships and deepen community understanding.
Session 4: Storytelling for Funding, Advocacy & Policy Change Apply storytelling to grant writing, advocacy, and systems change. Practice reframing deficit-based narratives and aligning stories with funder and policy priorities—while staying grounded in authenticity and community voice.
This series will be led by Jaclyn Vasquez and Rebecca Halperin.