Eligibility and FAQ's

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
 

What do we mean by storytelling? What kind of storytelling are we talking about?

When we talk about storytelling, we mean true, personal stories shared from a first-person voice and lived experience. Stories can be oral, written, visual, and in digital forms or a combination of these approaches. In this initiative, we will focus on oral and written formats of storytelling. 

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Why do our stories matter?

This 1-year project hopes to build on the existing work being done by leaders, advocates, storytellers, survivors and community members, and organizations working with the larger South Asian diasporas. At the same time, create a uniquely safe, inclusive, and intentional space to have these conversations, thus building empathy and bridging the gaps across generations, one story at a time! The objective is to diversify and soften the shifting narratives about one’s health, healing, body, and identity journey for South Asian immigrants and refugees. 

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WHAT NEXT?

If you are eligible and included to participate in our initiative, you may be invited to Phase 1 and then you may be invited to Phase 2 after.

Phase 1: You will be invited to participate in a free virtual or in-person story writing or storytelling workshop (to select from a series of workshop dates to suit your availability) or an interview facilitated by a trained storyteller sharing similar identities or experiences with you. In these workshops and interviews, you will be led through a process of identifying moments around these themes, developing and writing your story, and having a draft of your story for you to take with you. 

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Phase 2: Some of the storytellers who have completed Phase 1 will be further invited to Phase 2. This includes having your story finalized, documented, and shared on the project website, with your consent. More information will be provided via email or at the workshops and interviews. Even if you are invited and accept the invitation to Phase 2, we will honor your decisions to share your story with a wider audience and you may decline the offer to share your story on our website if you would not like for it to be public. If you are new to storytelling or an experienced storyteller and consent to sharing your story on our website, we are here to provide you guidance and support to navigate this process.

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Is there a deadline to apply for Gulabi Stories Phase 1?

Our deadline to receive applications for PHASE I of Gulabi Stories (i.e. workshops/ interviews) has passed. We truly appreciate your interest and support for this initiative.

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We invite those who identify within the larger South Asian diaspora to fill out this very brief interest form.  Through the responses received from this interest form, we hope to document this data so we can apply for future funding to expand our team capacity and continue creating similar safe and inclusive storytelling platforms starting next year. We will also add you to our mailing list serve to keep you updated on potential future opportunities to expand Gulabi Stories into other creative and healing spaces.

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Will we be required to share our stories with the group during the workshop?

Although sharing the stories in these small groups is encouraged, it will not be mandatory to share your story in these workshops. However, peer/ buddy groups of two may be created where you both will get to share your stories in a breakout session. 

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Is this initiative only for those who identify as survivors of violence or abuse and their stories of healing?

No, you don't have to identify as a survivor of gender violence or abuse to be a part of this initiative. However, we will center the voices of those who are eligible (scroll to the top of the page) and mostly have stories or moments about healing, health, body, intimacy, or relationships etc. as a part of the larger South Asian diaspora identity. Our initiative hopes to capture stories of joys, victories, surprises, learning curve, as well as difficult, sad, unpleasant moments, or a blend of emotions.

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What if I am not included to be a part of this initiative?

For this next step of our Initiative, we will be inviting a limited number of eligible storytellers on a first come first serve basis. We wish we could include all.  However, if you didn't get a chance to submit your story or your application was not included, this does not mean your story does not matter. 

 

We also recognize that writing your thoughts and responses in the application survey may not have been easy and very much appreciate your willingness to trust us with your lived experiences.  Our team understands and believes that our not including you at this time is not a reflection on you or your experiences.  Your story matters! We admire you for being soft, vulnerable, and resilient whether you decide to share the story with anyone or if the story is just for your own healing. Our intent is never to create a harmful culture of trauma Olympics hence we are creating spaces for all kinds of stories and lived experiences! We highly encourage you to continue your storytelling journey.

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I am interested but what if I identify as a cisgender or transgender man? 

The purpose of Gulabi Stories is to invite those who identify as cisgender or transgender women, non-binary, genderqueer, or gender fluid to the free storytelling workshops or interviews. If you identify as a cisgender or transgender man, we still encourage you to complete this short interest form.  

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Is Gulabi Stories only for women? Why?

Gulabi Stories: A South Asian Healing Initiative was born from recurring requests by immigrant women who wanted story writing or storytelling workshops. This initiative also was a result of Meghna's (our lead creator and curator)'s personal gendered experiences with struggling and the process of healing from physical, mental, and reproductive health. But most importantly, Gulabi Stories is creating spaces for writing and sharing stories of healing for those identities that are marginalized and whose stories and voices are missing. Hence, Gulabi Stories is inviting applicants who identify as cisgender or transgender women, non-binary, genderqueer, or gender fluid. 

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Since this is a healing initiative, will there be onsite emotional support or therapy offered to participants?

At this time, unfortunately, we will not be able to offer emotional support during storytelling workshops or interviews so in order to prepare as a storyteller, we strongly recommend identifying your support systems, assessing your readiness to think of or write about your story and reach out to the organizations and agencies we have listed on our Resources and Referrals page. Please note we are not certified to provide emotional support, counseling, mental health, or medical advice. Storytelling may be one of the approaches used in group therapy and support groups but it is not to be used as a substitute for therapy or counseling. 

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If I am invited for Phase I or II, do you have any examples of written or oral stories for eligible applicants? 

Great question! Check out the oral stories shared at an in-person event titled "Immigrant Stories" hosted by Capital Storytelling. Each story and storyteller is unique so these are just for your reference. Please remember, the story workshop or interview in Phase I will walk you through writing a draft or outline of your story. We are here to provide you with additional support to help shape your story to be shared on our website for Phase II.

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Who will have access to my info and stories? What's your confidentiality policy?

Your information will be safely documented and not be shared outside the storytelling project team: Meghna Bhat, Capital Storytelling- consulting agency, and our team of advisors who will provide their feedback in an advisory capacity. Your stories and identifying information will not be shared on our website or public spaces unless we receive written consent from you later in this process. 

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I have some other questions not addressed here. Whom can I contact? Please reach out to us at contact@gulabistories.com

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