Everybody you meet is not just a person passing by, they're a doorway to an entire world. This is a story of what connects Shanaya with me through resilience, poetry, music. It’s about sharing one’s spirit.
– “Harmonica Jimmy”
Stoop Stories is a Brooklyn-based community collective connecting New York City neighbors across generations and differences to reduce loneliness and build compassion. Through documentary storytelling and community events, we celebrate stoop culture and uplift underrepresented voices, giving storytellers and listeners a sense of belonging, healing, and joy.
Help us produce more stories that connect and heal – consider a gift of $250 or more!
The Problem: Social isolation poses serious health risks, particularly for older adults and teenagers. A June 2025 report by the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection found that one in three older adults and one in four adolescents experience social isolation. Lower-income and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected, according to the U.S. Surgeon General (2023). The consequences of loneliness and isolation are devastating, increasing the risk of suicide, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
Our Solution: Stoop Stories addresses this crisis by leveraging the power of intergenerational connection. Drawing on research from Generations United (2021) and our own data, we know that intergenerational programs build community, foster empathy, and encourage acceptance across differences. Stoop Stories Intergenerational Storytelling Workshop Impact: Following our recent storytelling workshops, 90% of participants reported feeling a stronger sense of connection. After attending a recent short documentary screening, 72% of viewers said the film made them feel less lonely, and the vast majority said they wanted to see more films like this.
Goal: This year, we’re raising $15,000 to deepen our impact. We can’t do it without you! Your support will help us create more intergenerational workshops and short films that strengthen our community. It also allows us to support a dedicated team of local artists who are bringing neighborhood narratives to life.
These stories deserve to be seen and heard. While every contribution helps, gifts of $250 or more directly help take a Stoop Story from idea to screen. Give today and help us build a more connected, compassionate city – one story at a time. Find our award-winning documentary films on our YouTube channel.
