Rooted Story Workers

This project teaches people how to collect stories, attend to activist change, pass along lineage, learn genealogical aspects.

You will learn to do this with care, and those who finish the training receive a $500 stipend.

Eligibility

Open to adults 17 and up

Live in Illinois

and can 👇🏾

Commit to:

attend a two hour online (recorded for later viewing)

attend a two day 8 hour training (February 20 & 21)

co-lead one two hour storygroup.

Those who complete training and co-lead a story group will receive a small stipend.

Apply before January 30th, 2026

About This Work

Migraciones: Of Raíces Entrelazadas / De Roots Intertwined. In this project 20 Uprising Doulas will be trained to do Rooted Story Work. Uprising Doulas are community guides who support shared processes of healing, remembering, and collective care. This work is a community (re)memory(ing) project sponsored by Healing Illinois and The Field Foundation. We have committed to amplify left out voices as a community of varied members.

We will also use tools from genealogy, storytelling, activism, and Black Appalachia. Genealogy is often understood as a family tree—names, dates, and biological relationships. In this project, genealogy is much broader.Community genealogy looks at how people are connected through:

shared places and land
work and labor (mines, plants, farms, railroads, domestic work)
migration routes and return journeys
churches, schools, mutual aid, and social clubs
environmental events, closures, or displacement
traditions carried through food, music, movement, and craft.

This work centers Great Migration, Southern, and other migrant memory traditions.

If this sounds like a journey you would like to take with us, please apply.

Full Name*

First NameLast Name

Email *

Where the confirmation will be send to

Mobile No*

YesNo

Lineage Art Why do you want to be a Rooted Story Worker?Tell us what draws you to this work. You can talk about your life, your community, or your experiences with storytelling, art, dance, food, or family history. My answer: I want to do this because I want to tell more about Black people in dances that we don't think about. Like Lindy Hop and Blues. Write your answer below.

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Testimonio. In your family or community, has there ever been an event that changed how your town or neighborhood operates today? My answer: In the 1970s, public housing came to my hometown in Robbins Illinois. Once everyone knew each other, after that a town that used to be a small town of 9000 was full of strangers. Your answer might be an industry closure, environmental harm, migration/displacement, violence. Write your answer below.

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Genealogy: Is there a place your family gathered, worked, or spent time that still matters today? My answer: Growing up the entire family came to my grandfather's house for gathering. He built the family home in the 1920s. His children grew up there, their children, including me lived our lives there, and our children came often. It was affectionately known as "The House". Your answer might include: a road, house, church, store, or piece of land your family talks about a lot? Write your answer below.

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This project involves working with a small team to host a two-hour community story group, connecting lineage meals and art to story craft, and collecting community artifacts (such as recipes, copies of photos, and traditions) through testimonio.What experiences—life, community, creative, or work-related—have prepared you to participate in this kind of shared community work? My answer: Church. From the time I was a little girl, I went to Sunday School and helped in the church kitchen and and listened to the church lady talk I still remember today. Your answer might include scouts, or listening to PBS or interacting with social media. *

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Talk about how you tolerate the distress of hearing an opinion that dramatically differs from your own.

How comfortable are you supporting a group conversation where people may have different experiences, memories, or perspectives than your own?

My answer: I am very comfortable because I have been years in diverse settings. But I know we will discuss tools for everyone to raise their comfort level.

Your answer: Is your own

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Signature

Submission of this application does not guarantee placement into the program.

YesNo

Contact Information

The completion of this project includes a $500 stipend. Please indicate if you will meet the requirements to receive the stipend.

Tell us about you

Signing Off

Applicant's E-Signature

Rooted Story Workers Application