Overview
Chronicling the Crossroads is a paid civic storytelling cohort for Indiana college students who want to listen deeply, document community experiences, and help share the stories that matter in bringing communities together.
Students selected for the cohort will receive a $550 stipend, professional storytellers training, Documenters training (which allows students to sign up for paid notetaking assignments), and the opportunity to contribute to a book published in partnership with The Facing Project.
Our Supporters
The Chronicling the Crossroads program is supported by Glick Philanthropies.
Program Introduction
Across Indiana, communities are navigating many kinds of division:
- Social isolation
- Conflict over local decision making
- Political disagreement
- Cultural and generational divides
- Everyday disconnections that keep people from understanding one another
This program invites college students to help bridge those divides through listening, storytelling, and civic engagement.
Students from across Indiana will collect stories from community members, shape those stories into first-person narratives, and contribute to a published collection of these stories from across the crossroads.
We are seeking students from a diverse range of backgrounds and disciplines, which means you do not need to be a journalism student to apply. This program is for students from any discipline who are curious about people, interested in their communities, and willing to listen carefully to the stories that may challenge or broaden the way they see the world.
About the Cohort
Students will work with community members to explore the broad theme of division and what it means in local life. These stories may include loneliness, mistrust, neighborhood change, conflict over a public decision, general misunderstanding, political polarization, or a feeling that certain voices are missing from the community’s story.
During the cohort students will:
- Interview community storytellers about their lived experiences.
- Practice deep listening, ethical storytelling, and community-centered writing.
- Transform these interviews into first-person narratives.
- Revise their writing with support from faculty advisors, CEA, and the Facing Project
- Participate in Documenters training through Free Press Indiana, which allows them to sign up for assignments where they’re paid $20/hr to document community meetings (both virtually and in-person).
- Contribute to a published book of community stories.
- Help prepare a book launch activity in their community.
In addition to a $550 stipend and opportunities for paid assignments through the documents program students will gain valuable skills in:
- Interviewing and collecting oral histories
- Writing and editing
- Civic engagement
- Media Literacy
- Listening across difference
- Community dialogue
- Collaboration and leadership within a statewide network
- Understanding diverse perspectives on complex issues
Cohort Expectations
Students from all majors and academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. There’s no need for prior journalism, publishing, or storytelling experience. We especially welcome students who are curious, dependable, open-minded, and willing to engage with people whose experiences and perspectives may differ from their own.
Ideal applicants will take the work seriously, follow through on commitments, treat community storytellers with respect, and remain open to learning throughout the cohort.
Students selected for the cohort should expect to spend approximately 2 hours per week on program activities. In order to complete the project and receive the stipend, students must:
- Attend in-person training in Indianapolis on November 5 & 6 (CEA will cover all travel, lodging, and food expenses for this training)
- Attend required virtual meetings
- Complete interviews with storytellers
- Participate in check-ins with faculty advisors and program staff
- Draft and revise first-person narratives
- Complete a virtual documenters training through Free Press Indiana
- Contribute to the final public-facing book launch activity in their community
- Exhibit professionalism in communications and interactions with peers, storytellers, and program staff.
Important Dates
| October 9 at 11:59 p.m. | Application deadline |
| October 15 & 16 | Acceptance, waitlist, and decline notices will be sent |
| November 5 & 6 | In-person training in Indianapolis |
| November – December | Storyteller outreach and interviews |
| December – January | Story drafting and writing support |
| January 31 | First drafts are due |
| February 22 | Final drafts are due |
| March – April | Book production and book launch preparations |
| April – May | Book launch events |
Before You Apply
Applying for the Chronicling the Crossroads: A Civic Storytelling Cohort is completed through our online application.
Before you begin, we encourage you to review the reflection questions below. Preparing your responses in advance will make the application process easier and allow you to thoughtfully consider your experiences, perspectives, and interest in the fellowship. Some responses have word limits, so you may wish to draft your answers before starting the online application.
When you're ready, click the Apply Now button below to complete and submit your application.
Application Questions
Applications
If you’re ready to start collecting and telling meaningful stories, build real-world skills, make a little extra money, and help your community understand how we can bridge divides, apply today via the button below. We are selecting up to 15 students to be a part of this one-of-a-kind experience. Don’t miss your chance!
Applications are due by October 9.