StoryAction Project | Poverty Is A Political Choice
The Storybook Project is an outreach initiative which aims to share the stories of those who have been affected by poverty. The goal of this project is raising the level of public and political discourse on poverty in Nova Scotia and to connect that behind the poverty numbers are real people: parents choosing between paying rent, buying groceries, and heating homes; precarious employment that puts stress on families; the inability to engage in community life through opportunities that make life worthwhile. Evidence has shown that writing a story can also encourage healing through creativity. Additionally, sharing your story may political discourse of this issue in the larger community and help to reduce the associated stigma.
Information About Yourself
Due to the sensitive nature of the story you are about to share, we understand that you may not want to make identifying information public. Please share that information which you'd like us to use. Please also use the box at the end of the form to let us know of any considerations you'd like us to keep in mind.
Your name or the name you'd like us to use when we share this story:
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First Name
Last Name
Email or contact details
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example@example.com
Are you writing a story about yourself?
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Yes, about myself.
I am writing about someone I know.
Please add your or any photographs you'd like to include.
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Write your story here.
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Selected stories will be shared on our social media and website. If we share your story, and you'd like us to tag you, let us know your social media details here.
Are there any considerations you'd like us to keep in mind while reading, curating, or sharing this story?
Consent and Waiver
The following consent form contains details about the Storybook project, your responsibilities as a participant, potential risks and benefits, and the story submission process. Please read over the information carefully and ensure you understand what is involved. Before consenting, you are encouraged to take your time in reading over the materials and discussing it with others. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Raushni at nsaccwweb@gmail.com
Participation
Participation in the Storybook project is completely voluntary. To be eligible to submit a story, you must be 18 years of age or older. If you choose to participate, you will submit a personal story about your experience with poverty. It may be a story about your experience directly, or the complexity of supporting a person who lives in poverty. Alternatively, you may wish to write about your experience with the rising cost of living, precarious work. Please be aware that stories will be reviewed to ensure confidentiality of minors due to issues of privacy and consent.
Privacy
Due to the sensitive nature of these stories, we understand that it may be difficult to share such personal details in a public setting. It is entirely your choice whether you want your own name to appear in NSACCW social media or if you would rather use a different name. It is also important that the people mentioned in your account are aware that their story is being told, particularly if you are writing about a loved one who is living in poverty. Not everyone may want to share their experiences publicly due to personal reasons, including the stigma associated with poverty. If you are writing a story about a loved one’s struggle with poverty, you must provide us with a signed liability waiver from that individual. If there are situations in which people in your story could be identified (even if real names are not used), we request getting a liability waiver signed by these individuals.
Submission Use
Selected submitted stories will be posted on NSACCW social media accounts for others to read. The Storybook project will have the right to use your story in its outreach materials (including but not limited to online and print publication), as well as in promotion of those materials. Your story may be used and edited as necessary for publication and presentations. You will retain the rights to the story you submit, including property rights and copyright. If after submitting your story you decide that you no longer wish to take part in the project, your story can be removed from the social media sites at any time.
Cost Associated with Participation
There is no cost to you to have your story published online or in the book.
Potential Risks
If you choose to use your own name in your submission, please consider that those you know can recognize you. Being identified in such a way may make you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed, or distress others who read your story. Even if you choose to use a pseudonym, there may be identifying features in your story that allow others to recognize you. Unfortunately, the Storybook project has no way to avoid that possibility. It is also important to consider that unfortunately there is still a stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. Sharing your story and being recognized could lead to potential marginalization, distrust, job loss, feelings of guilt or shame, and/or being treated differently by others. Additionally, it is possible that revisiting your experience may resurface some distressing or troubling thoughts or feelings. If you find yourself developing distressing thoughts as a result of writing your story, please seek support. If you are unsure about sharing your story, for any of the reasons listed or for others, please take time to consider the potential risks and potential benefits.
Potential Benefits
By sharing your story, you may be giving hope to those who are struggling with similar issues. People suffering in poverty may be able to relate to the submitted stories, and the experiences they read about may help mobilize action towards different political outcomes.
Consent
I have read and understand the terms outlined above.
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