Personal Storytelling as Advocacy

By Steven Puente

This installation is a part of Then, Now, Next: Oral History for Social Change, OHMA's multimedia interactive popup exhibition of stories, which will take place at the Refectory at Union Theological Seminary on April 29, 2015.

Telling personal stories has always been a part of programing in peer addiction recovery and outreach.The innovative programing at Einstein’s Hepatitis C (HCV) Peer Program is using personal storytelling as advocacy. They have incorporated storytelling in their peer-training curriculum to enhance skill building and outreach potential. This exhibit is investigating the use of storytelling as a methodological tool to amplify marginalized voices. HCV peers will be on hand to share their stories and experience using storytelling as advocacy.

Steven Puente is licensed Social Worker and addictions counselor with 14+ years experience in in the field of addiction treatment. In 2010 he joined Einstein’s Division of Substance Abuse as a counselor in their methadone maintenance treatment program. Steven is an accomplished storyteller and has been featured on the Moth Radio Hour and Podcast. Interested in the potential of personal storytelling as therapeutic intervention, he has integrated storytelling workshop, groups and programing into Methadone Maintenance Treatment and the HCV peer educator program. He enrolled at OHMA to further explore the efficacy of oral storytelling as therapeutic intervention and its effects on community building.