Our Vision

OUR MISSION

We tell stories to provide more opportunities for connection, compassion, and new unexpected perspectives. These stories just so happen to be in Rockford, Illinois. It is important to tell these stories because to many, both here and elsewhere, Rockford is often portrayed through a single narrative of violence or economic tragedy, but to ignore our complexity robs people of dignity.

 

OUR VISION

We typically speak about how our Midwestern city of 150,000 lives in a a post-industrial world, with a strong aerospace presence, but what we neglect to tell is the story of the people.  How we are a people of resolve, city of immigrants, who adapt to the ever changing world.  Our stories fill in the gap between the overall municipal picture and personal stories of the citizens who reside here.

Recent Episodes

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Kaera Watson

“Everything that I’ve gone through in life has made me who I am today.” Such a powerful statement from a strong woman who has gone through so much in life. See how Kaera Watson’s resilience has impacted her and created someone we are fortunate to have in our community.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-7233 or through chat https://www.thehotline.org/
You will be connected to local help.

In Rockford, contact
Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, Inc.
(815)-636-9811
or
Remedies Renewing Lives.
(815) 962-0871

Please consider supporting the creation of these videos for $1
http://www.patreon.com/OurCityOurStory

Produced by Pablo Korona
Music: Zach Staas, Daniel Pingrey, and Jason Kaye

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Community Brother

You’d be forgiven if you thought Mustafa Abdall was just another middle school teacher. But, you’re wrong. This Lincoln Middle School teacher is someone who recognizes opportunities and makes them happen. In this episode, it was very difficult to capture the man who is everywhere. Perhaps it didn’t convey that fact well enough… However, I wanted to show someone who so loves his immigrant communities, that he actively creates programming to help. His heart is massive and works tirelessly to create a better Rockford.

If you enjoy these pieces, please consider supporting our production costs at our Patreon page: http://www.Patreon.com/OurCItyOurStory

Produced by Pablo Korona
Music: Zach Staas, Daniel Pingrey, and @Jason Kaye.

Thank you to Rockford Public Schools (RPS 205) and Lincoln Middle School for allowing us to film.