A Program of Atira:
Atira's Digital Storytelling Project provides youth and mentors diverse in age, race/ethnicity, religion, class, ability, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation with the support, skills, and equipment they need to create original digital stories.
The stories are part of a storytelling tradition that lives at the heart of human experience - a gripping form of personal communication as ancient as language itself. Since the beginnings of humankind, we have shared through stories the events, beliefs, and values held dear by our families, communities, and cultures.
WHO: Youth participants range in age from 11 to 19 and come from a variety of sites, cultures and ethnic backgrounds from all over
WHAT: Typically a digital story is a two five-minute film that combines a narrated piece of personal writing, photographic images, ambient sound and a musical soundtrack.
WHERE: We work with youth in a variety of sites including at youth centres and with community groups and our current focus is schools. Our main headquarters in the Downtown Eastside is also equipped with laptops and software.
WHEN: Classroom visits and workshop dates are scheduled in consultation with and at the convenience of the teacher or community facilitator.
WHY: Because we believe digital storytelling has the capacity to break down barriers between youth providing them with an opportunity to get acquainted and come together. Because we believe personal relationships developed through sharing stories will increase empathy, understanding and acceptance. Because we believe relationships between youth and storytelling among youth from across
HOW Digital storytelling skills are delivered in storytelling workshops by a photographer and adult mentors who work directly with the youth and teachers/facilitators in community. After building the youths’ capacity in digital photography techniques, (Photoshop and basic video editing) mentors support the youth as they create meaningful, multi-media pieces using photographs, ambient sound, narration and music. The outcome - a digital story - is then shared through the program website where youth can watch each others’ videos, engage each other in on-line discussion and learn about each other from each other.
Learn more about our team that makes this project possible!
Atira's Digital Storytelling Project is supported by Atira Women's Resource Society. Atira is a not-for-profit organization committed to the work of ending violence against women through providing direct service, as well as working to increase awareness of and education around the scope and impact on our communities of men's violence against women and children.