Greetings!

If you watched our recent State of the Arts feature on PBS, you may remember the participants from Princeton Community Housing's Harriet Bryan House/Elm Court.

For nearly twenty years, Princeton Community Housing has partnered with People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos to host our Crossing Borders program at Harriet Bryan House/Elm Court, a 55+ affordable housing community.

Residents are joined weekly by members of the surrounding community, ages 14 and older, creating guided discussions enriched by different generations, backgrounds, and life experiences.

After every eight-week series, our coordinators submit a final report reflecting on memorable guided discussions, participant responses, and the moments that stayed with them. Coordinator Pat Smith's reflections from this spring's series offered a glimpse into the thoughtful discussions that are at the heart of every People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos program.

Trust is at the heart of every People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos guided discussion. Discussions remain private and are never recorded, creating a space where participants can speak honestly, listen respectfully, and explore ideas together.

Over eight weeks, these participants explored stories by Bette Greene, Alice Walker, Bernard Malamud, O. Henry, Gary Soto, Raymond Carver, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and others.

One discussion centered on Bette Greene's short story "An Ordinary Woman." 

As participants reflected on the difficult choices facing the story's central character, Amanda Brooks, the discussion turned to parenting, responsibility, forgiveness, and the realization that there are rarely easy answers.

One participant quietly said,

"We are just ordinary women, ordinary people trying to do the best we can by our children. Sometimes it seems like a thankless job."

Pat noticed something else.

Participants who had rarely spoken began contributing to the guided discussions. As the weeks went on, they grew more comfortable sharing their ideas, responding to one another, and making connections from one story to the next.

Later in the series, Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" prompted a thoughtful discussion about family quilts and what they represent.

One participant offered this perspective:

"Family antiques are not just art to be looked at. They should be used. This is not only a way of keeping the past alive. It is a way of honoring your ancestors."

By the final weeks, participants were comparing stories they had read earlier in the series, recognizing recurring themes and discovering that each week's guided discussion built on the last.

The final session was a celebration. Participants who attended at least five of the eight sessions received certificates, gift books, and enjoyed refreshments together.

Then someone asked:

"Do we have to wait until fall to start again?"

There may not be a higher compliment.

Many thanks to Coordinator Pat Smith, Princeton Community Housing, and everyone who made another wonderful Crossing Borders series possible.

Reading about our programs is one thing.

Experiencing a 90-minute session featuring a wonderful short story read aloud followed by a guided discussion is something else entirely.

If you've ever wondered what People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos is all about, you'll find two opportunities to join us below. And if you've joined us before, we hope you'll consider visiting a new location this summer.

I hope you'll come. I'd love for you to experience it for yourself.

With many warm hugs,

Debra

Debra Lampert-Rudman, M.Ed.

Executive Director

debra@peopleandstories.org

Image above: PCH attendee, credit State of the Arts

Image below: Elm Court 8th week attendees, credit Pat Smith