Welcome to We Are Your Neighbors: A Storytelling for Change Project
Empowering Change Through Storytelling
Queerlective believes that art is a powerful tool for social change, which is why we are working to bring you We Are Your Neighbors, an interactive board game designed to spark meaningful conversations about the social determinants of health, including housing, healthcare, and mental health, through immersive storytelling. This project focuses on the lived experiences of marginalized communities and aims to foster empathy, understanding, and action.
About the Project
In We Are Your Neighbors, players will navigate the stories of diverse characters facing systemic challenges in society. The first character introduced is Jayden, a 17-year-old nonbinary youth navigating housing instability. As players explore Jayden’s journey, they will encounter critical moments where they can discuss the situations Jayden faces and reflect on how they might respond to similar challenges. These discussions will create a space for players to learn from each other and gain insight into the broader topics of healthcare access, homelessness, and youth resilience.
The game is part of a broader effort to promote awareness of the challenges marginalized communities face, while also offering tangible solutions. It’s a community-driven project, with stories created in collaboration with individuals directly impacted by these issues, ensuring authenticity and accuracy in the narratives.
How It Works
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Character-Driven Storytelling
The game features multiple characters, each with their own unique storyline. As players explore the game, they will discuss the challenges the characters face and share how they might approach the situation, helping them reflect on real-world challenges. -
Community Engagement
Zine Workshops: To ensure the game’s stories are authentic, we’re hosting a series of workshops with local organizations, like Arts in Reach and Waypoint Youth Center. These workshops give community members an opportunity to provide feedback, share their own stories, and create additional characters for the game. -
Educational Impact
The game also serves as an educational tool, with resources included to help players learn about community organizations and services that can help those facing similar challenges.
Join the Movement
Get Involved
There are many ways to get involved with We Are Your Neighbors:
- Play the Game: Join us for the official launch and conference on May 18, 2024, where we’ll unveil the final game and invite the community to play.
- Become a Sponsor: Help support the development and dissemination of this powerful project. Your sponsorship will enable us to continue creating and distributing the game, along with the zines that reflect the voices of marginalized communities.
- Participate in a Zine Workshop: Contribute to the storytelling process by attending one of our zine workshops, where you can share your experiences and help shape the game’s characters and narratives.
Support the Project
We’re actively seeking sponsors to support We Are Your Neighbors and help bring this educational and impactful project to life. Your support will make a difference in amplifying the voices of those often unheard and help create a tool for positive social change.
[Become a Sponsor] [Donate Now]
Upcoming Conference
Save the Date:
May 18, 2024 11am-3pm
Join us for the unveiling of the board game and a day of discussion with the community about the impact of storytelling for social change. The conference will feature panel discussions, hands-on game sessions, and the opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about social justice.
Meet Our Partners
This project is made possible by the support of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and New Hampshire Humanities, with invaluable guidance from Dr. Loretta Brady, a leading expert in community resilience and social equity. Together, we’re using the power of storytelling to create real change. This project is also supported by a number of community artists and faculty: Hazel Heywood, Ari Peterson, Sara DeLavergne, Joe Acone, Louise Acone, Hannah Rowell-Jore, April Landry, Ashley Wakefield and Marg Pangburn.
Stay Connected
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