HSA OARS in the Water

OARS in the Water is a facilitated Zoom gathering that meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 pm Eastern Time. The Healing Story Alliance’s OARS in the Water offers a community listening space in which to share the experiences and stories that have emerged in turbulent times.

OARS co-hosts facilitate the evening and provide participants with a warm welcome and a meaningful theme which we hope will be healing, supportive and inspiring.

Format: A typical 90-minute meeting consists of a 20-minute, theme-based opening, followed by 20 minutes in breakout rooms, and then we reassemble for a whole group conversation.

Admission is free, although donations are deeply appreciated and help support our programming. Your tax-deductible donation can be made here: https://square.link/u/d9xbGN2I

Join Zoom Gathering  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81580670118?pwd=kluogEmpqp8COl7mWvvDl673CCozLS.1#success

About our Hosts

Sara deBeer’s great love is telling traditional folktales from world cultures. Since 1978, Sara has been telling these stories to audiences of all ages. A listener said, “Sara is a captivating storyteller, sensitive to her audience and their interests. Her extensive repertoire enables her to present programs on a wide variety of themes.” Sara is a published poet who also teaches poetry-writing classes. In 2004, she was awarded the Barbara Reed Award for Distinguished and Outstanding Service to the Connecticut Storytelling Community. She is a member of the HSA Program Advisory Committee. http://storydebeer.com/

Donna Marie Kuczynski writes, “When I first decided to tell a story instead of read one, I wasn’t sure about the whole idea; but I remembered loving the stories that my grandmother (Katie Corcoran Barry) told me, so I started with one of hers and added a few details of my own. Telling stories isn’t easier than reading books, storytelling is a completely different art. Storytelling is a responsive art form.” Donna Marie won the 2002 National Storytelling Network “Oracle” award, North Central Region for exemplary service and significant contributions to the community through storytelling.