We know that when stories are told in community there is often an invitation to act—confront a social problem, bridge divisions, embody a new awareness or understanding. We work to assist communities in discerning the actions their stories invite. Often this means creating safe and transformative settings where marginalized and suffering people feel empowered to share their experiences. We also know that honest storytelling can be playful, evoking humorous self-recognition, delight and gratitude for the pleasures of life.
There are as many ways to share a story as there are people. Over the years, The Hearth has developed a variety of tested, transformative, accessible storytelling methods inviting people to write, record, sing, photograph, upload, gather with others, or stand in front of a microphone to share what they have lived. Through providing safe and welcoming spaces, The Hearth is committed to transforming residents into neighbors, enemies into friends, and towns into communities. Ultimately, we believe that gathering to share stories is one of the deepest, transformative, and most pleasurable activities we do as human beings.

The Hearth has led numerous workshops, retreats, and public events for community builders, educators, faith leaders, nonprofit staff, and activists across the United States and United Kingdom. We have collaborated with a number of organizations including The Ford Family Foundation, The Austin Center for Mexican American Cultural Arts, Oregon Department of Human Resources, The Greenbelt Festival, The Oregon Community Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club, Geos Institute, The Center for Congregations, GirlForward, Princeton Theological Seminary, Grassroots Leadership, The Wild Goose Festival, Asante Hospice Services, The Church in Wales, OnTrack Addiction Recovery, Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice, SHARE-Refugee Support, Uncle Food’s Diner, The Family Nurturing Center, The Maslow Project, Austin Theological Seminary, Rogue Valley Farm to School, Dunn House, The Ashland Foodbank, Winterspring Grief Counseling, Mediation Works, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Klamath Siskiyou Wildlands Center, Jobs for Justice, Eyes to Burma, The Afghan Child Project, Rogue Climate, Community Works Crisis Hotline, Unite Oregon, Rogue Valley Racial Equity Coalition, Sexual Assault Response Team of Jackson County, Southern Oregon Pride, Rogue Valley Veterans Outreach.

Through all our work, we’ve helped thousands of people experience compassion, personal empowerment, and the pure joy of human connection by providing safe and transformative spaces for people to share their journey with others.