Steel City Stories and Good Shepherd Women’s Services come together to put women’s voices centre stage

On March 2 and 3 the women of the Willow Storytelling Program will tell their stories, live and without notes at The Staircase Theatre on Dundurn Street. The Willow Storytelling Program is a workshop series produced and led by Grace Evans, supported by Steel City Stories and Good Shepherd Women’s Services and generously funded by the Hamilton Community Foundation. This year’s program was also sponsored by Jonny Blonde Food Truck & Catering.

This year marks the third year of the eight-week Willow Storytelling Program. Participants report they have gained confidence and learned public speaking skills, enabling them to share their stories. Maureen M., a second year participant, said the program “gave me the opportunity and strength to share my truth… definitely a healing journey”.

According to Paula, the Wellness Facilitator at Good Shepherd Women’s Services, the program “has provided a safe place for women to tell their story. Women look forward to this opportunity to be heard within a nurturing and creative environment. The growth that women have been able to take away from this workshop is unmeasurable. Women who have been silenced for so long have now been able to feel free and empowered.”

For the past two years the Willow Storytelling Program has received financial support from a Creative Arts Fund grant from the Hamilton Community Foundation. The grant pays for the storytelling instructor fee and helps supply participants with bus tickets, dinner prior to the workshop, and the venue for the event. Unfortunately, the grant will not be available next year and a new source of funding will be needed.

Doors for the event open at 6pm and the stories start at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Advance tickets for both shows are $18. Tickets are available here.