Families Like Ours

A storytelling event for parents in the Helena area

May 8th, 2026

Families Like Ours

The Early Childhood Collaborative and the Helena Village Collective along with many community partners want to create space for parents to share their real stories. Parenting is messy, complicated, and sometimes overwhelming—but no one should have to go through it alone. By telling our stories, we remind one another that struggle is normal, connection is possible, and our community cares deeply about giving children the best start in life. We believe the best way to raise healthy, thriving children is to also nurture healthy, connected parents. If you are willing to share a piece of your journey, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply here

    • Applications open: November 2025

    • Applications due: December 1, 2025

    • Notifications: Selected storytellers will be contacted by December 31, 2025

    • Story development: January – May 2026

    • Public event: May 8, 2026

    Storytellers will work closely with a coach and other participants from January through early May to develop and rehearse their stories, culminating in a live storytelling event on May 8, 2026, hosted by the Helena Village Collective and Early Childhood Collaborative.

    Meetings will take place every 3–4 weeks, with flexible scheduling based on group availability.

    Click here to see a visual of the timeline.

  • We recognize that every family has a story worth sharing. The following guidelines simply help ensure that storytellers are supported and ready for the public sharing experience:

    • Readiness: Storytellers should feel emotionally ready to share their experience in a public setting and have necessary support to move through this process.

    • Reflection: Having some distance from the experience being shared can help with perspective and storytelling clarity.

    • Relevance: Stories that explore themes of family, caregiving, community, resilience, or growth are especially encouraged.

    Additional notes:

    • Families: we are using this term to represent your family and how you define it - in any variation that exists.

    • Parents: we are using this term to represent parents, caregivers or those raising children in our community.

    • Grief and loss: many people experience the loss of a pregnancy, a baby, a child - or never get the chance to try. We value hearing those stories, as well.

  • Being a storyteller is both a personal and community commitment. We ask that applicants consider their capacity before applying.

    Storytellers must be able to:

    • Attend regular in-person or hybrid meetings from January–May 2026

    • Participate in a group storytelling workshop and one-on-one coaching sessions

    • Attend a dress rehearsal the week before the event.

    • Be available for the May 8 event in Helena

  • Inspired by Roots Family Collaborative’s Moms Like Me in Bozeman, Families Like Ours brings that same spirit to Helena, creating a space for honesty, connection, and healing through shared experience. Storytellers will work together and with a local storytelling coach to shape and share their stories with the public this spring.

    The process and act of sharing are monumental — not only for the storyteller, but for everyone listening. Together, these stories spark empathy, reduce isolation, and help build a more compassionate community for all families.

  • Still unsure about applying?

    Want to be involved but not get on stage?

    Reach out - we love connecting with community members!

    Maureen Bjerke: 406-461-4449 or mbjerke@sphealth.org

    Jenny Andersen: 406-548-7577 or jenny@helenavillagecollective.org