You are able to express things that you have
lived through but never told anyone about,
and once you get it out you are able to figure
out how you really feel about it."

Helen, Age 70

Launched in 1999, The Moth Outreach Program offers storytelling workshops to students and marginalized adults
living in New York City. We work primarily with highschool-age teens from underserved communities and with
adults in rehabilitation and training programs, including homeless men and women, recently released prisoners,
and people recovering from substance abuse. The workshops teach participants how to use the key elements of
narrative to shape their life experiences into well-crafted stories. All workshops begin with a show performed by
established Moth storytellers and conclude with a show performed by the participants for their local community.
Four times per year, Moth Outreach graduates appear in professional productions for the general public as part
of the Stories on Stage series at The Players Club and at The Nuyorican Poets Café. Evaluations show that our
graduates significantly benefit from the opportunity to express themselves, share their stories, and improve their
communications skills.

“The workshop helped me deal with my inner problems and learn how to speak better in
front of a crowd.” - Marlene, Age 16

“I would like to take part in a similar program in the future because it kept me out of trouble.”
- Chris, Age 16

“I learned that I still have an imagination.” - Ed, Age 45

“I learned how to prepare and present a story to an audience, and that built up my courage.”
- Nkrumah, Age 17

“I learned that you shouldn’t be afraid to talk about your problems.” - Akira, Age 16