Community & Partner Organizations
People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos is a program without walls. That is, we go to where the participants are and we provide a program coordinator, all program materials, and evaluation procedures, while our partner organizations provide the meeting space and bring the participants together. Currently, we conduct programs in prisons, homeless shelters, adult basic education programs, halfway houses, libraries, senior centers, and residential treatment facilities, among other social service agencies. In offering access to high-quality humanities programming, we seek to complement the services already in place at our partner sites.
What makes a good partner organization?
Consistent group available for eight sessions that meet once a week for eight weeks
Group size: approximately 15-20 participants
Commitment to the program schedule (limited scheduling conflicts for participants)
Reliable transportation for participants traveling to site
Current Regional Partners
Sites with an (*) indicate Spanish speaking programs.
New Jersey
FCI Fairton
Incacerated men
"The program coordinator at this site selects short stories that specifically appeal to our seniors' interests. The participants are able to reminisce about their past, share their accomplishments and learn about the topic at hand while engaging in fascinating conversations and discussions that relate literature and life. In the sessions, seniors also have the opportunity to explore authors, texts, and democratic dialogue in a safe and positive setting. Often, senior participants re-discover an interest in literature as they pursue additional works by authors read throughout the sessions. Offering the People and Stories / Gente y Cuentos program to our seniors adds an element of diversity to our programming that the seniors enjoy." -Donna Povia, Social Services at Lawrence Plaza Apartments (2011)"
Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund (LALDEF)*
Newly arrived immigrants
“ Immigrants typically face a combination of obstacles; including language barriers, educational attainment, employability, housing, access to services, transportation, and of course cultural barriers. Gente y Cuentos provided the group an opportunity to join others in dissecting literature and taking a moment to think of something besides their personal burdens. It allowed them to share their stories and opinions, giving them confidence, and helping them find their voice. This experience was empowering for our clients, allowing them to utilize their life experiences to create analogies and understand metaphors. I know the experience was well received and we are eager to do it again. Thank you for giving our clients the gift of "letting go" and "giving in" to the experience, they were able to immerse themselves in the experience. “
- Ms. Adriana Abizadeh, Executive Director
Lawrence Plaza
Senior citizens
"The program coordinator at this site selects short stories that specifically appeal to our seniors' interests. The participants are able to reminisce about their past, share their accomplishments and learn about the topic at hand while engaging in fascinating conversations and discussions that relate literature and life. In the sessions, seniors also have the opportunity to explore authors, texts, and democratic dialogue in a safe and positive setting. Often, senior participants re-discover an interest in literature as they pursue additional works by authors read throughout the sessions. Offering the People and Stories / Gente y Cuentos program to our seniors adds an element of diversity to our programming that the seniors enjoy."
-Donna Povia, Social Services at Lawrence Plaza Apartments (2011)
MLK Middle School, Trenton
Children of newly arrived immigrant families
"The program coordinator at this site selects short stories that specifically appeal to our seniors' interests. The participants are able to reminisce about their past, share their accomplishments and learn about the topic at hand while engaging in fascinating conversations and discussions that relate literature and life. In the sessions, seniors also have the opportunity to explore authors, texts, and democratic dialogue in a safe and positive setting. Often, senior participants re-discover an interest in literature as they pursue additional works by authors read throughout the sessions. Offering the People and Stories / Gente y Cuentos program to our seniors adds an element of diversity to our programming that the seniors enjoy." -Donna Povia, Social Services at Lawrence Plaza Apartments (2011)"
Princeton Community Housing, Elm Court
Senior citizens
"The program brings together people who wouldn't necessarily have the opportunity to have an enriching literatary, collective experience."
"The opportunity to come together, listen together, talk together, get to know other humans - hard to beat!"
Princeton University (ProCES/Program for Community Engaged Scholarship), Princeton
Crossing Borders
"The People & Stories discussions with the Princeton community were the highlights of my week. It was nice to listen to short stories and discuss them with people from different groups, not just Princeton students. I think this was vital to this Freshman Seminar."
"The impact of this was invaluable, as it allowed me to meaningfully connect with the local Princeton community in a manner that I never though was able through a class."
"The community project showed me that there is an interest to analyze literature that spans outside of an academic institution."
- participant quotes provided by Tara D. Carr-Lemke
Project Freedom
Senior citizens
This program has really helped our tenants to interact with one another. A lot of the tenants have very little social interactions, so this program really helps with that.”
-Brianne Foley, Social Service Coordinator
“This is an amazing program that my tenants really enjoy and look forward to all year long.” -Robyn Brown, Office Manager
Puerto Rican Association for Human Development*
Senior citizens and newly arrived immigrants
"The participants have expressed they have enjoyed the project tremendously because of how interesting, entertaining and educational all the stories are. They loved the interaction after Ms Concepcion reads the stories because in some cases they reminisce of their youth."
-Maritza Rodriguez, Director of Program and Operations
Have you observed benefits for your clients/residents who’ve attended People & Stories programming? If so, please describe. "Yes, they make reference of how much fun they have. It encourages them to get out of the house and look forward to the intellectual stimulation they receive when participating."
-Maritza Rodriguez, Director of Program and Operations
Rescue Mission, TEACH (Trenton Educational Advancement center for the Homeless) Program
Men in re-entry
"I am pleased with the ongoing collaboration between People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos and the Rescue Mission of Trenton. Your program provides literature programs with our clients that are important to many of our clients in recovery who are working to rebuild their lives. The Rescue Mission's TEACH program seeks to create opportunities for employment and true life changes through education and job placement. Working with People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos to supplement the literacy aspects of TEACH has greatly benefitted out residents. Participants in the programs demonstrate improved reading comprehension, critical thinking, and communication skills - all of which are essential to helping them become self-sufficient and successfull reintegrate into the community." -
-Mary Gay Abbott-Young, Chief Executive Director (2013)
The Father Center
Single fathers
"Many of our clients have expressed [P&S] provided a safe outlet to share and be vulnerable. In addition, we have seen an increased interest in reading and writing from program participants. The other noticeable change is many participants have bonded over the experience which then developed an environment of improved communication and sharing of resources and information.”
-Ms. La Shauna Jackson, Program Manager
Trenton Free Public Library
Crossing Borders
“The program is well organized. It meets the community's needs. Each session there were 5-8 attendees. The instructor is great! She puts lots of great thoughts into the program.” -Shanshan Ming
Pennsylvania
Drexel University College of Medicine & Unitarian Universalist House, Philadelphia
Medical students and senior citizens
"During a time that everyone is craving connection and meaningful conversation, this was the perfect program to offer our students. This program also gave our students a moment to realize that being future doctors isn't just how much of the basic sciences you can learn and memorize, but it's about human connection, conversation, listening to people's stories and being vulnerable with their own. I really appreciated how after the initial planning meetings with Anndee [coordinator] she took charge and was reliable to not only facilitate the sessions but be the point person for students. I knew they were in good hands."
- -Laura Mullin, Program Coordinator
Interim House
Women in re-entry
"People & Stories is awesome. The creativity the women experience is unique and we're so very fortunate. The women are engaged, and it truly changes their perspective." -Katherine Addison -Katherine Addison
“The clients were calmed by the experience of listening and then talking and writing. They found they could relate to a much wider variety of people than they had previously. They saw their own histories in a new way and seemed to honor their own ‘story’.” -Ms. Lynn Turner, Residential Therapist
Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center
Women experiencing Homelessness
“ The program coordinator at this site selects short stories that specifically appeal to our seniors' interests. The participants are able to reminisce about their past, share their accomplishments and learn about the topic at hand while engaging in fascinating conversations and discussions that relate literature and life. In the sessions, seniors also have the opportunity to explore authors, texts, and democratic dialogue in a safe and positive setting. Often, senior participants re-discover an interest in literature as they pursue additional works by authors read throughout the sessions. Offering the People and Stories / Gente y Cuentos program to our seniors adds an element of diversity to our programming that the seniors enjoy. “
- -Donna Povia, Social Services at Lawrence Plaza Apartments (2011)
Libertae
Women in recovery
“The clients of our organization have benefited greatly from participating in this program.” -Nancy Wolf, CEO
“Sometimes clients find other means of expression to be more accessible than ‘talk therapy’ alone. This is borne out by the People & Stories participants.” -Nancy Wolf, CEO
“I actually did the P&S training myself - about 9 or 10 years ago. I loved it! I am happy that we have had the good fortune to maintain a collaborative relationship. Ellie fisher, the volunteer who provides the P&S program here is wonderful!!!” -Nancy Wolf, CEO
Manos House
Youth in recovery
“This program has opened up an array of doors for our clients to explore both presenting and underlying issues that have impacted their lives. Additionally, this program has offered a social outlet that otherwise would be nonexistent to our clients given their situation.” “
-Mr. Chris Runkle, Executive Director
“We have worked with Scott [Coordinator] for quite some time in a variety of group settings and feel strongly that without Scott and his programming some of our difficult and extremely guarded clients would remain tormented and lost within themselves, struggling to find the courage to make a change.” -Mr. Chris Runkle, Executive Director
New York
The Dennelisse LHCSA
Home health and care coordination agency
It has been an exciting 8 weeks with Ellie and Jane. They were both fantastic. The whole staff were very fulfilled with their manner of instructions and the contents of the stories chosen. The analytical faculties of our staff were awoken, and the Instructors were happy with their levels of thoughts and communication.
- Nkiru Joy Okpala-Perkins, HR
Teresa Leary
Coordinator
People and Stories/Gente Y Cuentos is such a worthwhile and important organization to support because literature belongs to everyone. Each person deserves to have his/her/their voice heard and experiences shared, and the programs offered by P&S/GyC provide the space for people to do so. Further, as our digital world causes us to become increasingly isolated, P&S/GyC is doing the opposite by creating opportunities for diverse groups of people to find community, commonality, and connection. I am honored and excited to be a part of this organization as a future coordinator, and I encourage others to support its mission in any way possible.
Jane Scott
Executive Director
I never left Dennelisse without feeling inspired. The participants were open, engaged, and appreciative... Many of them said the program had deepened or reawakened their love of reading, and of writing their own stories. I felt privileged to have had this opportunity.
Ellie Fisher
Executive Director
We had our last session at Dennelisse today. It was pretty fantastic. We filled out the surveys, read Aunt Cristina, and took pictures with a sheet cake I had brought them. It said, "To An Awesome Group" which they were. We combined both groups over three hours so I put them in smaller groups for part of our story discussion. It worked great. We read "Still I Rise" and from that, I gave them a writing prompt about finding their voice - as Cristina and Maya Angelou had. Their writings were so powerful. I concluded with a haiku one of them had written last week after reading Abalone. I had asked them to write one. Anthony wrote:
Rebecca FrancoMartin
Executive Director
Rebecca brings to P&S/GyC her wealth of experience in overseeing operations, collaborating with multiple stakeholders, managing budgets, and excellence in grant writing & management. Formerly the Library Director for the Trenton Free Public Library (TFPL), Rebecca’s contributions directly led to the development and expansion of library programs, increased partnerships with stakeholders, and increased revenue. She is an alumna of Drexel University iSchool, holding a Master of Library and Information Science degree, and Rutgers University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science.
Debra Lampert-Rudman, M.Ed.
Interim Executive Director
Debra began with P&S/GyC as Communications Manager following her work as Curator of Education & Public Programs with Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton, NJ and Community Relations Manager/Regional Trainer with Barnes & Noble in its Springfield and Princeton, NJ locations. Debra holds a M.Ed. in Children’s Literature and Literacy from the Pennsylvania State University and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kean University with a B.A. in English and minors in Art History and Sociology. She is a published author, award-winning artist and poet who enthusiastically brings her extensive background in Public Relations, Marketing, Nonprofit Management, and Community Relations to People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos. Debra may be reached at debra@peopleandstories.org
Josh Baumgarten
Administrative Assistant
Joshua’s passion for language has led to a career in linguistics and literature. He obtained his BA in Linguistics and Spanish from the University of Pittsburgh where he also studied Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian culture. Joshua is fluent in English and Spanish, with moderate proficiency in Brazilian Portuguese. He continued his education at Syracuse University where he obtained his MA in Linguistics, specializing in sociolinguistics. Joshua's experience with linguistic research and Spanish teaching has contributed to the skills he utilizes in his work, including organizational, multitasking, and writing abilities, a keen attention to detail, the capacity to work efficiently with a team, as well as a capability to quickly learn new skills or systems as a task requires.
Charlotte Friedman
Co-Chair
Charlotte Friedman is an author, poet, translator and teacher. For ten years, she taught Narrative Medicine at Barnard College and in the graduate program at Columbia University. Charlotte has conducted narrative medicine workshop series for clinicians in nursing homes and hospitals in New York, Connecticut and Israel. Her poetry appears in journals such as Timberline Review and Connecticut River Review and her translations of Ch’ol poetry (with Carol Rose Little) are published in World Literature Today, The Arkansas International and elsewhere.
Why I joined the People & Stories Board
“I joined the board of People & Stories because it’s an organization that offers a potent way to strengthen individuals and communities, that is, through stories. Whether written or told, shared stories boost our imaginations and fortify the bonds between us. "
Cathryn M Clary
Cathryn Clary is currently serving as an independent pharmaceutical consultant after spending 28 years as a medical executive across the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Previous to that, she practiced psychiatry and conducted research into new antidepressants. Cathryn has served as a board member and officer across multiple not-for-profit organizations, most recently, the Foundation Board for Mercer County Community College, where she served as Treasurer.
Why I joined the People & Stories Board
Cathryn Clary is currently serving as an independent pharmaceutical consultant after spending 28 years as a medical executive across the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Previous to that, she practiced psychiatry and conducted research into new antidepressants. Cathryn has served as a board member and officer across multiple not-for-profit organizations, most recently, the Foundation Board for Mercer County Community College, where she served as Treasurer.
Michael Aaron
Treasurer
Mike Aaron is a Tax Accountant at Lear & Pannepacker for the past 5 years. Not only does he oversee the progress and development of his three teammates, he also oversees the daily activities of his three children and two dogs. His motivation to join the board started with him telling his wife he needed to read more, and the very next day, Julia reached out to him from a recommendation. It seemed almost like fate. Since then, he has mostly read the books of the Authors that presented in each year’s Gala.
Priyanka Arora
Board Secretary
Priyanka Arora MBA MS has been Director of Strategy & Business Development at Wolters Kluwer (New York, NY) since 2019. She is accountable for global commercialization strategy and gaining market share for an online SaaS platform that includes $320m of product portfolio selling into multiple market segments globally. Priya works with all cross functional teams including Sales, Product Development, Training, Support, Pricing, Marketing and Finance, to guide and drive prioritization, roadmap, M&A pipeline as well as new content acquisition to help achieve targets and maximize profitability. Previously, from 2016-2019, she was Director of Product Strategy at Wolters Kluwer.
Priya has a Bachelor of Science in Statistics (University of Delhi), a Master of Science in Statistics (University of Akron, OH) and Executive MBA from Rutgers. She served on the Steering Committee of Medical Libraries Association Summit focused on DEI and Moving toward Equitable Health Sciences Knowledge Sharing (https://www.mlanet.org/page/insight-initiative-summit-6.)
Charles Busuttil
Charles "Charlie" Busuttil holds a B.S. degree from Manhattan College in education and biology. He later went on to a master’s degree program, as a graduate fellow, at the University of Utah where he completed his M.S. degree in work physiology. Charlie taught at Manhattan College in both the Schools of Education and Arts and Sciences
Charlie has served as Director of Training at the Bank of New York and was also on the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Banking during this period. In this position, he also coached and worked directly with executives, which provided him with the opportunity to move into human resources management for the bank’s biggest sector (Securities Processing). Charlie was later moved to a major lending subsidiary of the bank (BNY Financial) where he reported to the president as his HR director. Charlie has served as Director of Human Resources at The Emigrant Savings Bank in New York City, later leaving the bank to join White & Case LLP, one of the world’s premier law firms. During his 16 years there, Charlie held various HR positions from HR Director, Director of Employee Relations, to the Global Director of Human Resources Operations. Charlie retired in April of 2022 and continues to do pro bono work for not-for-profit organizations, individuals, and other law firms.
Why I joined the People & Stories Board
I became part of People & Stories/GyC because I am passionate about promoting literacy worldwide and enhancing people’s lives through the power of reading and storytelling.
The Board is the heartbeat of our organization that works to keep alive the mission and vision of People and Stories. It allows me the opportunity to provide this support in a personal and meaningful way.
Margo Chaly, Esq.
Board Chair
Margo Chaly was appointed Executive Director of the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority by Governor Phil Murphy in March 2024. Immediately prior to her appointment, Margo served as Chief of Staff of the Authority since February 2021, during which time she played an important role in advancing the mission of the Authority and Governor Murphy’s affordability agenda. Prior to joining Governor Murphy’s Administration, Margo was Manager of Litigation & Operations at a law firm. Prior to that, she worked for more than a decade at multinational insurance companies. A first-generation Guatemalan-American and lifelong New Jersey resident, Margo holds a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Ithaca College.
Why I joined the People & Stories Board
It is exciting to support an organization that facilitates program participants sharing their personal perspectives and histories while responding to a short story, read aloud, in a safe and encouraging space, regardless of participants' life circumstances.
Sumanth Munipalli
Sumanth Munipalli is Senior Director of Business Development & Partnership for the US Digital Health Services business at Samsung Electronics America. He is responsible for developing the GTM Strategy & Execution for various B2B & B2C Services (such as RPM / Corporate Wellness / Digital Insurance / Health & Fitness) utilizing Samsung's consumer devices such as Wearables / Phones & Applications. Sumanth has a Masters in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in New Delhi and Bachelors of Engineering from the University of Mysore, India.
Across close to 25 years of technology industry experience and 13 years of management experience building and leading high-performance business teams that have consistently exceeded expectations, Sumanth has expertise in areas such as: Business and Go-to-Market Strategy, Planning and Execution; all facets of Technology - business & technology consulting, integrated solutions, applications, business process, infrastructure services and product engineering services. He has led teams of 10+ and managed revenues of over $100 million. Additionally, Sumanth has institutionalized processes and reported to C-Suite executives and board members on various key initiatives and advised organizations on optimal processes and digital transformation.
In his words: “I am interested in a role that capitalizes on my experience and contributes to creating a difference to the community. My passion for reading and the difference that it can make in the world leads me to believe that I can specifically contribute my skills in an advisory capacity to People and Stories. I have the drive, energy and leadership to make a significant contribution.”
Why I joined the People & Stories Board
“I am interested in a role that capitalizes on my experience and contributes to creating a difference to the community. My passion for reading and the difference that it can make in the world leads me to believe that I can specifically contribute my skills in an advisory capacity to People and Stories.”
Mimi Schwartz
Mimi Schwartz is an award-winning author whose books include Good Neighbors Bad Times Revisited (2021), When History is Personal (2018), Thoughts from a Queen-Sized Bed (2002) and Writing True, the Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction (2006). For more information, go to www.mimischwartz.net. Mimi is also a long-time member of Seniors Onstage, a documentary theater ensemble that gathers and performs stories in New Jersey libraries, senior centers, prisons, schools and in regional theaters. She is Professor Emerita in Writing at Richard Stockton University, where she taught creative nonfiction, memoir, and essay writing for 25 years.
Why I joined the People & Stories Board
“I joined the People & Stories Board because I believe in the power of sharing short stories to leap over our walls of difference onto common ground of empathy and tolerance.”
Jondhi Harrell
Jondhi Harrell is the Founder and Executive Director of the TCRC Community Healing Center (The Center for Returning Citizens) in Philadelphia. TCRC-CHC offers comprehensive referall services for prisoners and formerly incarcerated people in the areas of re-entry, pre-entry, direct services, advocacy, healing from the traumas of mass incarceration and gun violence. TCRC-CHC through a partnership with sharefoodsprogram.org. serves the Philadelphia Community with a food pantry that feeds on average 12 to 14,000 individuals, 3,000 families monthly, TCRC-HC holds pop-up food giveaways, community clothing drives and book giveaways for children.
Jondhi is a veteran of 25 years of mass incarceration and plays a leadership role in numerous organizations.
Jondhi is a Political & Community Activist, working on the successful campaigns in Philadelphia & statewide.
He is a frequent guest lecturer on the topics of Mass Incarceration, Social Injustice, and Re-building Black America at universities, colleges, churches, organizations and community events.
Upon his release in 2009 Jondhi attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Service Management from the University of Phoenix (2012) and is a JustLeadershipUSA Fellow (2016 Cohort), member of the Policy Committee of FCNL (Friends Committee on National Legislation), and the Ujima Friends Peace Center. He also serves on the Board of “Beyond the Bars” a nonprofit organization that teaches music to urban youth that have been impacted by mass incarceration criminal injustice and gun violence
Why I joined the People & Stories Board
“My motivation to be on the board of directors for “People and Stories” is simple. I am and have always been a storyteller. I believe that telling stories is one of the most effective means of communication that exists. Stories captivate, entrance, illuminate and inspire the mind, soul and spirit. Storytelling is an art form that is accessible to virtually everyone if they organize their thoughts and deliver a narrative that strikes chords within others. Storytelling is an age old method of transferring knowledge, culture, living patterns and modes of survival. Through stories we glimpse the past, navigate and better understand the present, while preparing for the future. I am proud to be on the Board of an organization dedicated to storytelling.”
“Participants in this program have demonstrated an increased appreciation for culture, diversity, literacy and learning. They have established social connections that extend beyond the group setting and they have formed bonds that allow them to interact in other ways at the center. Families are also more inclined to read to their young children and dedicate time to sharing time together or with one another.”
-Ms. Maritza I. Raimundi-Petroski, MPA, Director of Family & Community Support Services
“We have really enjoyed the partnership with P&S. The level of professionalism and commitment from the group leaders truly make the program unique and families feel welcomed, accepted and appreciated in a non-judgmental environment. I’ve witnessed in previous groups how the readers infuse the stories with real experiences and encourage the group members to share their own stories. It’s refreshing to see adults sharing a common space where their imaginations and love for reading truly shines.”
-Ms. Maritza I. Raimundi-Petroski, MPA, Director of Family & Community Support Services