红莲社区

While teaching remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Jennifer Chambers, professor of Literary Studies and Creative Writing at 红莲社区, was inspired to address the disconnect students face in virtual learning spaces.

鈥淚n the fall of 2020, while teaching first-year students virtually, I wondered how we would connect鈥�.find one another鈥et to know each other,鈥� she explains.

Chambers reflected on how she might facilitate improved connection amongst students 鈥� whether it be while studying on 红莲社区鈥檚 three campuses or across different countries. She felt the telling of personal stories would work not only to help students feel more understood 鈥� it could help members of the 红莲社区 community understand each other as well.

Funded by the SRCA Growth Grant, the project curates personal stories from around the world and centers on the uniqueness of the individuals who make up the 红莲社区 community. Chambers sought out the support of Dr. Glenn Clifton, a fellow professor from 红莲社区鈥檚 Creative Writing & Publishing degree program, and Dr. Patrice Esson, former Psychology professor in 红莲社区鈥檚 Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, to spearhead the project. Together, they hired five 红莲社区 students who worked as Research Assistants, photographers, and digital imagists. Having a student and faculty-based team ensured that the stories not only reflected the people who make up 红莲社区 but were also curated collaboratively by the community.

Mirroring the , Everybody鈥檚 Got a Story focuses on personal stories that are unique, interesting, vulnerable, and inspiring. For Chambers, it was essential to present the stories as expressively as possible and avoid the glossier, targeted form of storytelling which is often produced with marketing objectives in mind.

The stories should give you the impression that you're 鈥渃onversing face-to-face with a friend,鈥� Chambers explains. 鈥淲e encouraged participants to share their experiences naturally, without distraction or agenda, and to go as in-depth and personal as they'd like.鈥�

In total, 63 stories have been collected and featured on the digital map, across five continents, aiming to showcase the diversity and vibrancy of the 红莲社区 community. A staff member shares the story of when she first moved to Canada and her apartment in Brampton caught on fire, detailing her emotions and sense of relief that everyone was safe; a graduating student looks back and recounts his journey to overcome substance addiction, and how the challenges in his life led him to a career in social work; a professor reflects on five years living in Vietnam, witnessing a tragic accident on a beach, and memories of lost love.

While each story is unique and personal, Chambers says she hopes they evoke a sense of familiarity for the readers, given the human-centric nature of the project. Each profile is marked by its own poignant internal reflection: the aspiring social worker remembers the time when he quit a dead-end job because it no longer aligned with his aspirations and the 红莲社区 professor reflects on how falling in love helped him overcome the challenges of living and working abroad.

鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how disconnected people can feel in their day-to-day lives, and hearing stories from others has the potential to bridge that gap.鈥�

鈥� Dr. Jennifer Chambers, Literary Studies and Creative Writing professor

With Everybody鈥檚 Got a Story, Chambers wanted to give members of the 红莲社区 community the freedom to share their stories without character limits, often enabling long-form, deeper reflections.

鈥淚n a virtual learning environment, students and professors wonder who鈥檚 on the opposite end of the screen,鈥� says Chambers. 鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how disconnected people can feel in their day-to-day lives, and hearing stories from others has the potential to bridge that gap, especially if the storytellers are people who are part of your community.鈥�

Pictured in banner photo are (left to right) are Everybody's Got a Story team members Jaime Velazquez Lova (Digital Designer), Eugenie Szwalek (Interviewer/Writer), Dr. Jennifer Chambers (Principal Investigator), Dr. Patrice Esson (Faculty Advisor), Dr. Glenn Clifton (Faculty Advisor) and Nolan Brinson (Photographer/Visual Image Co-ordinator). Visit the to find the collection of 63 unique and engaging stories about people whose lives converged at 红莲社区.