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The ETSU Research Corporation, the Niswonger Foundation, Ballad Health and StoryCollab are partnering to launch “Stories from the Storm: Reflections on Appalachian Resiliency,” offering eight weeks of listening sessions for those impacted by Hurricane Helene to share their stories in a virtual community space. 

The “Stories from the Storm” sessions are not just for those directly impacted, but for anyone with stories of strength, generosity, kindness, courage and resilience – an opportunity for the community to share stories that help people better understand the collective experiences of the region. 

By sharing stories together, people who have experienced traumatic situations can help build resilience, offer solidarity and enable collective healing. Studies highlight social support as a crucial factor in recovery, helping to restore a sense of normalcy and hope, ETSU officials said.  

Writing and sharing personal stories has also been shown to be therapeutic, helping individuals make sense of their trauma, gain new perspectives and experience emotional release. Research shows that storytelling can be a powerful healing tool for survivors of trauma, as it helps them process their experiences and reclaim a sense of control over their narratives. 

“Even people who weren’t directly impacted by Hurricane Helene have been telling stories about someone they know who lost their home, or a loved one. Or, how neighbors and strangers alike have shown up in extraordinary ways,” said Allison Myers, executive director of StoryCollab. “Many I’ve spoken with have survivor’s guilt and are looking for ways to help. Sharing stories of not only what was lost, but also about bravery, resiliency, generosity and resourcefulness are important for healing and hope.” 

From now through Dec. 11, they will be hosting free bi-weekly 90-minute listening sessions for health care professionals/first responders and the community at-large.  

During these listening sessions, people will be invited to explore moments from their experience that have challenged them deeply or uplifted their spirits in the aftermath of this unprecedented natural disaster. 

StoryCollab facilitators will draw on their years of experience with trauma-informed methods as they support the work of documenting everyday stories in these unprecedented times.  

Tuesday sessions will be for health professionals and first responders. Wednesday sessions will be open to the entire community.  

Those who wish to share what they have written will be invited to submit their story and a photo to be housed on the StoryCollab/ETSU Research Corporation website.  

 At a later date, StoryCollab also hopes to be able to offer a series of digital storytelling workshops for community members to learn how to create and share their stories in a short video format. The collection of digital stories will be shared in a community-wide red-carpet event, with permission of the storytellers. 

This is the latest collaboration between ETSU, Ballad Health and StoryCollab, which launched the Nurse Narratives Initiative earlier this year to spotlight profound stories of resilience and strength in the face of adversity from nurses in our region. 

To register for the sessions, visit https://bit.ly/3BPurog. After registering, participants will receive a Zoom link via email.