StoryCorps Connect Brings Families Together

StoryCorps, the acclaimed nonprofit that has been gathering personal stories since 2003, is now online, offering families the chance to connect and share meaningful conversations even across long distances. Their new initiative, StoryCorps Connect, provides a platform for people to conduct video chat interviews and document the personal histories of loved ones during this unprecedented time of isolation and change.

Why Stories Matter

In times of crisis, stories play a crucial role. They offer a way to process events, reflect on shared history, and preserve personal memories for future generations. Much like historical accounts such as Daniel Defoe’s A Journal of the Plague Year, these narratives help contextualize experiences. With the COVID-19 pandemic reshaping lives, StoryCorps is aiming to capture the voices of those living through this pivotal moment in history.

The History of StoryCorps

Since its inception, StoryCorps has been gathering oral histories through mobile recording booths stationed in cities like New York, Atlanta, and Chicago. Participants step into the booth to share memories—whether mundane, monumental, joyful, or heartbreaking—with the help of a facilitator. These recordings are archived at the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress, forming what the organization calls "the largest single collection of human voices ever gathered."

The Evolution: StoryCorps Connect

In response to the pandemic, StoryCorps launched StoryCorps Connect, a digital version of its in-person interview model. It enables people to hold face-to-face conversations over a secure video platform while recording audio for archival purposes. Unlike the StoryCorps mobile app, which is used for in-person interviews, this tool allows participants to connect remotely, making it easier for families and friends separated by distance to share meaningful conversations.

How It Works

1. Sign Up: Visit the StoryCorps Connect website to register.
2. Invite a Loved One: Reach out to someone you’d like to interview, such as a parent, grandparent, or close friend.
3. Plan the Interview: StoryCorps provides a list of sample questions, including COVID-19-specific prompts like:
   • How is this experience different from other historical events you’ve lived through?
   • What’s the toughest part of your day right now?
   • How do you want to be remembered?
4. Record: The video chat will capture your conversation, and the audio will be archived for posterity at the Library of Congress.

Creating a Living History of the Pandemic

This initiative has the potential to serve as a primary source for future historians documenting the COVID-19 era. Dave Isay, StoryCorps’ founder and president, envisions the platform as a way to preserve firsthand accounts of life during the pandemic, much as the organization did for families affected by 9/11.

Beyond the Pandemic: A Timeless Mission

StoryCorps has always emphasized the importance of creating a record of a loved one’s life for future generations. Isay himself conducted an interview with his father before he passed away, a memory he cherishes and shares with his children. “A lot of people say to me, ‘I wish I’d interviewed my grandmother or my brother, but I waited too long,’” Isay says. “This is a moment where you shouldn’t put it off.”

Applications in Schools and Nursing Homes

StoryCorps is also working with schools, encouraging students to interview older relatives as part of class assignments, and nursing homes, pairing volunteers with residents eager to share their stories. This collaboration not only fosters connection but also ensures that more voices are captured and preserved.

Tips for a Meaningful Conversation

• Choose questions that elicit detailed, personal responses.
• Encourage your interviewee to reflect on both challenges and triumphs.
• Approach the conversation with genuine curiosity and empathy.

Don’t Wait Too Long

In the words of Isay, “This is the moment of urgency.” StoryCorps Connect offers a powerful way to preserve family histories, strengthen bonds, and ensure that the voices of today will resonate for generations to come. Whether you have 40 minutes or an afternoon, consider reaching out to a loved one and starting the conversation before it’s too late.