Families Inspiring Families Presents Results of Shadows & Light Project November 10

Families Inspiring Families (familiesinspiringfamilies.org) will present results of their pilot “Shadows & Light: Untold Stories” project at the National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health virtual mini-conference on Tuesday, November 10. The project explored the role of creating an autobiographical therapeutic performance out of live experience and witnessing a professional rendering of it—created with participant involvement. The results suggest that individuals who have lived experience at the intersection of trauma, mental health, and court systems, may have more ability to engage in human-service programs designed to enhance adaptive living skills in daily life.

Shadows & Light: Untold Stories is a year-long project designed to lift and empower the voices of people in our community through the creative and transformative process of turning personal narratives into live theater. When people who have experienced trauma are invited, heard, accepted, and seen—when they can tell their story in a safe and supportive place—something begins to lift. Through trust, creativity, partnership, community, voice, and the essential modalities of theater-making, they begin to move into a new space, expanding beyond any story, to bring about healing.

Families Inspiring Families is a family group for parents of youth with mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges. They believe that families can encourage other families through advocacy and positive communication. For more information, visit familiesinspiringfamilies.org or call (402) 441-4369.