A 5-Stage Process from Isolation to Connection
We do not force connections: we help build them, step by step. Our methodology moves at the speed of trust, ensuring that every voice is safe before it is asked to be brave.
STAGE 1: THE WEAVERS (Capacity Building)
We don’t bring in experts; we train neighbors.
We begin by identifying and recruiting community Weavers – natural leaders who are already trusted within Syracuse’s distinct neighborhoods and cultural groups. These Weavers undergo intensive training in our process, learning the skills of “Double Listening” and ethical facilitation. They become the architects of the shared experiences.
STAGE 2: THE TREES (Building Safe Spaces)
Strengthening identity through individual narratives.
The Weavers return to their own communities to host Intra-Group Story Circles. In these single-identity gatherings (e.g., a circle for New Americans, a circle for the South Side), we utilize the Tree of Life narrative tool to help neighbors map their individual stories. Participants articulate their “thin stories” – often focusing on struggles – while simultaneously identifying their personal Roots (history/ancestors), Ground (current situation), Trunks (skills/values), Branches (hopes and dreams), and Fruits (gifts and legacy). The goal is to document the unique “indigenous knowledge” and survival skills of each individual within the safety of their group.
STAGE 3: THE FOREST (The Community Story)
Moving from “Thin Stories” to “Thick Stories.”
We shift our focus from the individual Trees to the collective Forest. By aggregating the individual Trees of Life, we map each community’s shared resilience and resources. We then identify the “Storms” – the external problems acting upon the community – and, crucially, analyze which specific storms each “forest” is particularly well-suited to weather, given its combined roots and trunk. By separating the people from the problem, we stop fighting each other and unite against the “Storms” with our unique collective strengths.
STAGE 4: THE BRIDGE (Brave Spaces)
Witnessing instead of debating.
Once communities are rooted in their strengths, we bring them together. Instead of a traditional “Town Hall Debate,” we follow the Outsider Witness protocol. In these cross-group exchanges, participants are explicitly guided to listen for resonance (emotional connection) rather than to critique. This creates a shared empathy that bridges the divide.
STAGE 5: THE HARVEST (Living Legacy)
Creating a durable future.
The stories and connections don’t disappear when Stage 4 completes.
- The Coalition: The Weavers form a permanent cross-cultural network of leaders.
- The Gathering: We host semi-annual events to reunite the Weavers and share their ongoing work with the larger community. These gatherings function as both a reunion for the coalition and a public showcase, allowing the broader citizenry to witness the growing strength of the community forest.
- The Sharing of Artifacts: We ensure the community’s voice endures by distributing created artifacts – such as audio and video stories, artwork, sculpture, and other art forms – to publicly accessible venues. By placing these works in schools, libraries, museums, and civic spaces, we embed the new stories in the city’s physical and cultural landscape.