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Thin Threads™ - The Legacy Project |
Thin Threads™, The Legacy Project (TLP), is a program developed by KIWI Publishing to collect and publish the extraordinary personal stories of our elderly population.
As part of this effort, we are inviting high school students to play a vital role in the gathering and writing of "thin thread" stories; stories that will help readers understand the common and uncommon threads that run through all of our lives and a how a “thin thread moment” can impact us.
The program is an intergenerational project whereby students choose or are assigned by their teachers to participate in the program. Schools can be integral in promoting these efforts.
A student named Caroline Kowalczyk from Amity High School in Connecticut had the opportunity to write a Thin Threads™ piece for her journalism class. In Caroline’s words she “interviewed an older man with a very intense story.” Caroline says that "Interviewing people of a much older generation is an advantage for anyone”. Another High School student, Gwen Opper, found herself in a very similar situation with Thin Threads™, she told us it was the best thing she had done in class all year. She also said that it “helps a person to truly listen to someone’s story.”
Thin Threads™ offers us a glimpse into the lives of people like you and me.
For the High School students involved in an educational offshoot of Thin Threads™ “The Legacy Project,” Thin Threads™ provides a way to discover first hand that what can be seen as an obstacle or setback, often represents opportunities to begin anew. Realizing the power of the stories helps us weave vibrant threads into the tapestry of a life enriched with love, success, health and joy.
Thin Threads™ (TLP) has many benefits:
• Students have a rare opportunity to interact with people from diverse backgrounds – to uncover what we can all learn from the elderly among us,
from their wisdom and uniqueness (often taking that skill into interviewing their own family members!)
• Students will develop valuable writing skills that enhance existing journalism communications and creative non-fiction writing programs.
• Students will hone their interpersonal skills which are increasingly necessary as they move out of high school and into college and careers.
• Students will have the knowledge that they are having a positive impact on the lives of the people with whom they interact (and interview). According to Laurel Gardens Program Director, Deb Edery: “The seniors long for interaction and by being interviewed, they realize they can unlock their personal stories, many which have not been told.”
• Students have an opportunity to have their writing published as part of the Thin Threads™ book publishing program.
• Schools can be involved in community building by reaching parents and grandparents in the community for this school initiated intergenerational project.
• Schools can enhance the writing experience by making the Thin Threads™ Legacy Project part of their own curriculum.
• Schools and educators who participate in this program are in fact writing a living history of our times; a history that will help readers and participants appreciate the challenges and opportunities that people have faced and the choices they have made.
KIWI Publishing has the resources to make Thin Threads™ available electronically and, in book form through renegade marketing channels (our own displays now being tested) around the country. The project will also be launched nationally through a print, radio and TV marketing campaign. As a multi-book publishing program, Thin Threads™ books will provide readers of all ages with true life stories that will teach and inspire.
KIWI Publishing to date has collected close to 100 stories from independent sources around the globe that have discovered our website through advertising, as well as from schools. Our goal is to publish the best 100-200 stories submitted this Spring (2008).
Proposed Process
Collection suggestions:
Class Assignment in English Department writing classes: Journalism & Creative non-fiction writing classes/clubs; Senior English classes; Communication & Video production classes (to offer interview skills).
Social Service credits integrated into social actions projects for high school clubs, whereby interviews are conducted on tapes or with notes, and story is developed with KIWI editing team.
KIWI Publishing editors will select the stories whose content will be most interesting (and will submit all stories entered any school-wide drawing initiated by school administration.) Once a story is selected to be used in a Thin Threads™ series, the editor will work with the writer and the senior citizen to sharpen details and better weave the final draft, with signed approval from writer/story teller.
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