Awaken What’s Possible
Imagine someone whose front yard is the city’s sidewalks—channeling their story straight into the halls of power.
That’s Project Upstream: a transformative training fellowship launched by Church of the Common Ground where individuals with firsthand experience of being unhoused become expert storytellers, researchers, and advocates—then bring their truths directly to decision-makers at the State Capitol.
Why This Matters
Project Upstream equips participants—not just with skills, but with agency. Through participatory action research, fellows speak with their peers, gather real stories, and uncover structural barriers that everyday policymaking overlooks. Then they step up—into a classroom, and eventually, in front of legislators—to say:
“These are more than statistics. These are lives. Here are the changes we need—now.”
What Fellows Do
| Process | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 2 months of weekly storytelling & civic training | Fellows build narrative power and policy insight—rooted in their own lived experience. |
| Participatory Action Research | They become researchers and interviewers—turning community voices into data, insight, and recommendations. |
| Presentation to local policymakers | Graduates don’t just learn—they lead. They deliver testimony that’s both vulnerable and visionary. |
Jennifer sat down with Deandre. Using participatory action research, she asked:
“What’s one small thing that could make a positive change in your life today?”
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Questions
Are you a potential fellow, ally, or funder?
Fellows: Want to tell your story—your way? We’d love to walk with you.
Community supporters: Curious to learn how personal stories can reshape systems? Let’s connect.
Policy advocates: Want to move from intention to action—rooted in reality, not rhetoric? Reach out.