Story Circle: An Intergenerational Multimedia Storytelling Project

Jessica Wong, Kin On Health Care Center, Fund Development and Marketing Assistant

Story Circle is a new project bringing older and younger generations together to share their personal life stories with one another. The first Story Circle gathering took place on February 2 at Kin On Health Care Center. Over tea and snacks, participants shared stories about Chinese New Year, including their favorite memories, family traditions, and food preparations.

One Story Circle participant said, "I'm still talking about it with my husband. We just went to Dim Sum House to celebrate Chinese New Year and I mentioned that today, we shouldn't eat meat, should have good behavior and no bad words…it was a fun and educational evening!” She concluded with Chinese New Year greeting, "Gung Hay Faat Choy!"

We invite you to join Story Circle's weekly meetings! New topics will be introduced bi-weekly. Topics for the month of March include:

Memorable Moments with Grandparents or Grandchildren

• Wednesday, March 2, 7:00 – 8:30 pm
• Monday, March 7, 2:00 - 3:30 pm

Mah Jong

• Wednesday, March 16, 7:00 - 8:30 pm (the Wednesday session will have two mah jong tables set up for playing and storytelling; RSVP requested to 206-721-3630)
• Monday, March 21, 2:00 - 3:30 pm.

As a way to pass on your stories to the next generation, with your permission, your stories will be collected, transcribed and posted on Kin On's Facebook page, where your friends and family can read, comment, and respond to your stories.

Future Story Circle events will include educational hands-on workshops where older adults will learn to use email and social media to communicate more regularly with loved ones, and a "Community Day of Sharing," where the community is invited to come and learn about Story Circle and listen to the participants' stories. 

Story Circle meets weekly (first and third Wednesdays; and second and fourth Mondays) at Kin On Health Care Center, 4416 S. Brandon St., Seattle. Story Circle is FREE and open to the community!

For more information, please contact Jessica Wong at 206-721-3630, ext. 158 or email jwong@kinon.org.

This project is grateful for support from the Healthy Aging Partnership's Aging at Home Initiative.