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Life of my mother growing up as a kid and meeting friends who meant alot to her as a child. My mother growing up into a mature young adult who met my father at a young age. Also telling stories...

a story of a tragedy in Jan Keith's life

Deborah Davidson (68) sits down with her friend Patricia Thomas Ivery (63) to ask about Patricia's childhood, the wisdom that she has gained throughout her life, and the dreams that she still hopes to achieve.

Jill Schmidt (68) interviews her brother, John "Jack" Badke (76) about his experiences in the Vietnam War.

Sandy and Lenny Spiegel tell about their determination to pursue higher education despite socio-economic challenges. A surprising union - Sandy, a social worker and Lenny, a physicist - met each other in Chicago in the late 1980s and followed their...

One Small Step conversation partners Patty (40) and Justin (32) have a conversation about their recent weddings, dogs, and families. They bond over both getting married recently and having connections to Chicago. Justin describes his large wedding in Savannah, while...

I talked to my Nani and she told me about her struggles as a child with losing her father, brother and mother. She went with her siblings at the age of 18 to live with her uncle. Shortly after, she...

Husband and wife, Anthony Buralli (32) and Annabella Vidal-Ruiz (32), talk about their experience during COVID as spouses and Annabelle as a nurse working in a hospital.

Tammam "Tom" Abouassaf (53) talks with his daughter Amal Abouassaf (21) about immigrating to the United States, his experience of culture shock, and what he is most proud of in his life.

McKenna Torres (25) and her husband, Jim Torres (26), reflect and share anecdotes on their varying roles being students, teachers, and now a married couple.

Veronica shares her story, from running away from an abusive mother and relying on a cruel man to finding help and working toward a nursing degree.

Imani Johnson (21) talks to her father, Kevin Johnson (51) about his experiences growing up in Chicago and how these experiences shaped him into the man he is today. They talked about his childhood, family, and his life as a...

Me and my grandma talk about her life.

One Small Step partners Jim Waszak (69) and Erika J (38) discuss their upbringings, the kindest people in their lives, and their economic beliefs.

Mary Cook (MSW student) interviews Marcos Gonzales (The Director of Informed Trauma Education at a Chicago Catholic School) about his work at Homeboys Industries, bringing attention to the crossover of the criminal justice and immigration system with the story of...

English Advanced Honors Project Interviewing Elders

Mark Braden (71) and his uncle Burly Brellenthin (97) discuss Burly's experiences farming, in school, serving in the military, and working at a Chevy dealership.

The photo featured here is from 1992, our first year together. When Stonewall happened, neither of us knew. We became a couple in Chicago 23 years later. The chorus of CeCe Peniston's "Finally," a tune that was popular during our...

Athena Miller, 8th grade, interviews her grandfather, Tom Zemrowski ("Pops"), about how he met her late grandmother ("Gramzie") at Purdue University in 1965. Other interesting glimpses of his past are revealed as well. Recorded during Thanksgiving 2021.

Longtime friends Buta Muzuri (49) and Pierre Bashale (54) talk about their respective life journeys, including living as political refugees in Boise, Idaho.

Aidan Bank (14) talks with his mother, Elysa Jimenez (33) about her life being a young mother and how she overcame challenges.

Karol Kennedy (59) talks with her mother, Kristina "Kris" Young Smirl (83), about her childhood, parenting, memories, jobs, and hobbies.

My Grandfather, John Grey, has had an interesting upbringing moving from place to place with his family. He was raised as a young child in Chicago Illinois, and later moved to Dallas Texas with his family. In this interview, Me...

The person I interviewed was my mom because of her background I felt she would have good stories to tell us. Throughout the interview she talked about her childhood,struggles, and family struggles. Welcome to her life and being part of...

This interview captures a fraction of his experience growing up in the city of Chicago, parenting, and other memories he holds. He shares the most valuable lessons he has learned over the years and stresses the importance of loving your...