‘We Are Chaffee’ Storytelling Initiative Partners with Local Libraries

Posted By: Terry West January 3, 2023

The Chaffee County We Are Chaffee storytelling initiative is excited to announce a new partnership with the Salida Regional Public Library and the Buena Vista Public Library to display the We Are Chaffee storyboards.

These partnerships will allow all community members and visitors access to these impactful short stories told by local people and written by local people in each of the county’s libraries.

The storyboards are currently at the Buena Vista Public Library and will be displayed throughout the month of January.

The stories are part of an effort to create awareness and compassion for the diverse populations in Chaffee County through the power of story sharing and engagement. This project is funded through a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Office of Health Equity and is managed by Chaffee County Public Health and Chaffee Housing Authority. Andrea Carlstrom, Public Health Director, states, “These stories reflect who we are as a community and show that we have more in common than we do differences.”

The 21 storyboards include 4 that are printed in Spanish, and all of the stories may be read on the We Are Chaffee website in either Spanish or English. Megan Juba, Bianka Martinez, Luz Stella Diaz, and Cecilia LaFrance, all local writers, met with individuals who wanted to share their stories and out of that conversation created powerful short stories that reflect who the storytellers are as humans.

Writer Cecilia LaFrance shared her thoughts about the program, “These stories are a chance to understand the challenges, accomplishments and insights of our neighbors and community members. Some may resonate with readers and others may contribute to a new way to approach a difficult topic. Displaying stories at our County’s wonderful libraries, where readers already appreciate the power of writing, is a natural fit.”

In additional news, Colorado Mountain College has opened up registration for the We Are Chaffee Video Storytelling Workshop. Classes will be held on four Sundays from 3 to 6 pm beginning February 26th.

For more information about the We Are Chaffee storytelling initiative and to get involved, please visit
wearechaffee.org.

Terry West
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