2027 Certificate in Community Storytelling: In-Person Cohort
May 23, 2027 - May 28, 2027
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Register before December 31st for $200 off tuition!
It’s community building, it’s networking, it’s spiritual growth. It’s one of the best programs I have ever done.
I learned my story matters which has given me confidence and bravery in my personal and professional life.
Not only will you become a better storyteller, you will learn how to use story as a great democratizing force within your community.
The Certificate in Community Storytelling provides practical tools that draw individuals and communities together in meaningful and healing ways.
2027 Certificate in Community Storytelling
SUNDAY, MAY 23 – FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2027
Improve your storytelling skills while learning how to build and strengthen community within a transformative, collaborative, and supportive learning environment. The Certificate in Community Storytelling is for anyone interested in learning how to use the power of personal storytelling to heal, enrich, and mobilize communities for good.
The training is a one-week long intensive May 23 – May 28. The training involves lectures, narrative exercises, small group sharing, and group discussion. This year’s training will be held in a retreat-like setting on the edge of the Columbia Gorge just 30 minutes outside Portland, Oregon.
In addition to the week long intensive, participants will receive three months of online group teaching (90 minute gatherings once a month). In order to receive certification, participants will be required to design and complete a community storytelling project with individual coaching and mentorship by Hearth facilitators. Participants will present their projects at a final zoom meeting in October 2027.
Want to hear from past participants? Click here!
Read about past projects of our grads here!
Individuals who complete the certification course will:
- Understand how stories function in our personal and public lives
- Learn how to create transformative events that deepen relationships within a local community or organization
- Explore narrative practices that promote individual growth, social awareness, and community action
- Learn how to create a variety of public story-sharing platforms that engender trust and vulnerability
- Gain concrete skills for community storytelling including story recruitment, event promotion, audience building, public participation, media integration, and fundraising
- Learn how to craft personal stories for speaking, teaching, and facilitation
- Increase skills for coaching groups and individuals in personal storytelling
- Discover methods for amplifying the voice of marginalized populations
- Learn how to apply storytelling techniques within families, friendships, and other informal gatherings
The Certificate in Community Storytelling is ideal for nonprofit staff, social entrepreneurs, government officials, educators, parents, ministers, therapists, journalists, artists, social justice activists, and anyone seeking to strengthen families, local communities, or charitable organizations. Registration is limited.
Dates
May 23-28, 2027: Certificate in Community Storytelling Training
- Check In: Sunday, May 23rd at 5pm (Wright Hall)
- Monday – Thursday 9am-5pm (Lunch 12-2)
- Check Out: Friday, May 28th at 11am
July – September: monthly 90 minute webinars
October 2027: Final meeting via Zoom: project presentations.
Location and Transportation
Menucha Retreat and Conference Center (Corbett, Oregon). A 30 minute drive from Portland, Oregon.
38711 E, Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019
Please visit this page for detailed directions.
Tuition
- Early Bird Tuition (when registering before December 31st, 2026): $1,300
- Tuition Cost: $1,500
- Non-refundable deposit: $250
Lodging and Meals
Participants can opt for a single or double room at the The Menucha Retreat and Conference Center. **Single rooms are limited** If you are interested in a single room, register early to secure your spot. Once singles are filled we will be only offering doubles. Meals will start with dinner on Sunday, May 23rd and end with breakfast on Friday, May 28th.
- Single room w/meals included: $1500
- Double room w/meals included: $850
- Commute w/all meals included: $450 ($110 for facilities fee + $340 for meals)
- Commute w/o meals: $110 (for facilities fee)
*If you choose a double room, please specify in the comment box if you have someone else registering that you want to room with. If you have more than one person attending with you, arrangements and pricing can be arranged for a triple occupancy room. Please email hearth@thehearthcommunity.com*
*If you choose to commute to the training, please email hearth@thehearthcommunity.com.*
Tuition is separate from lodging and meals.
Important Policies and Additional Information:
Payment, registration, and cancellation policies – please review before you register
Please submit the following upon registration:
- Alternate Dietary Request (please note, Alternate Diet Request meals are an extra $3.50 per meal, per day. This fee will be added to your total program cost).
- Emergency Contact Form
- Media consent opt-out form (Please submit if you want to opt-out)
- ADA accommodation requestTo be placed on a wait list or find out about other training opportunities, please email us at certificate@thehearthcommunity.com.
To Pay Your Balance:
If you’ve registered and wish to make your payment online, please click on the link below to pay with PayPal or a credit card (checkout as Guest):
