UPDATE as of 5/17/22 @12:00pm:
Unfortunately we must postpone our Fireside Chats event this evening . Stay tuned for the future date – we can’t wait to hear and share stories with Heather Fogg / RJP Maine and YOU!
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Our Fireside Chat this month will be hosted by Heather Fogg from the Restorative Justice Project Maine. Restorative justice is a growing movement within educational and criminal justice systems around the world. The approach focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation both with the harmed parties and with the community at large. Those harmed take an active role in the process, while offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions to repair the harm they’ve done.
Waterfall Arts presents Fireside Chats, an enthusiastic experiment meant to ignite conversations, boost empathy, and offer a platform for shared stories to help all of us set new intentions for our collective future. The event will take place monthly on our front lawn for anyone to gather around warm fire pits for a night of storytelling.
Why a storytelling series? Stories have the potential to break down barriers, sharpen our radical listening skills, empower community, and make us feel part of something larger than ourselves.
Who is participating? These monthly chats will include a visit from another local non-profit organization to share about their experience serving our community, and to provide us with a theme for the evening. Community partnerships provide us with a platform for collaboration and an interdependence that is necessary as Waldo County–and the rest of the state–continue to deal with the repercussions of the pandemic.
What should I do if I want to come? For those interested in joining the conversation, consider themes for sharing a story around your experience with making amends (other ideas might include stories of justice (or injustice), stories about forgiving others (or yourself) or stories of attempts at reparations. No experience is necessary to tell a story and active listeners are welcome (and necessary, too!!)
RSVP using the button below to let us know you’re coming, so we can ensure there’s enough warmth to go around!
Listen to our past storytelling hosts:
Stephanie Holman (Belfast Free Library)
Ian Stewart (Coastal Mountains Land Trust)
Chrissy Fowler + Jennifer Armstrong (Belfast Flying Shoes)