Digital Stories are three to five minute video documentaries, which according to the Center for Digital Storytelling [http://www.storycenter.org], can be “used to share, record, and value stories from [youth and adults’] lives, in ways that promote artistic expression, health and well being, and justice.” Using first-person narrative, participatory production methods, and meaningful workshop processes, CDS helps organizations to create multi-media personal stories to share with others.

In 2005, staff from SFDPH worked with the Center for Digital Storytelling and San Francisco day laborers and domestic workers to develop a series of digital stories to recount and reflect on the lives and contributions of Latino immigrant workers. This project was conducted as part of Jornaleros Unidos con el Pueblo (Day Laborers United with the Community), or UNIDOS, a four year NIOSH-funded partnership between SFDPH and La Raza Centro Legal’s Day Labor Program and Women’s Collective.

Between 2005 and 2007, the UNIDOS partners developed two series of digital stories, titled “Dignidad y Respeto (Dignity and Respect)” and “Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto (Our Work is Honest Work).” Collectively these stories describe the daily lives of day laborers and domestic workers in San Francisco, their opportunities and hardships encountered on the job, and employers’ perspectives on the contributions of their employees to their lives and well-being. During spring 2008, the stories were screened to over 300 people at various universities, community-based and immigrant advocacy organizations in San Francisco.

Individuals and organizations are welcome and encouraged to use the digital stories to raise awareness about conditions faced by immigrant workers in the Bay Area, how the workers positively contribute to the economy and the need for policy solutions and action to protect workers from preventable injuries and employer abuses. To promote broader access to the day laborer and digital stories, SFDPH uploaded the Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto to youtube.com in ten minute segments. The links and discussion guide can be accessed below. SFDPH is currently working to upload the first set of UNIDOS digital stories (Dignidad y Respeto) to youtube.com as well.

For more information or to obtain a copy of either DVD, please contact:

Megan Gaydos

Email: megan.gaydos@sfdph.org

Phone: (415) 252-3919

UNIDOS Digital Stories (English & Spanish)

UNIDOS Discussion Guide for “Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto (Our Work is Honest Work)” Digital Stories (in English)

Ten minute segments of Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto (In English and Spanish):

“Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto/Our Work is Honest Work” Part 1

“Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto/Our Work is Honest Work” Part 2

“Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto/Our Work is Honest Work” Part 3

“Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto/Our Work is Honest Work” Part 4

“Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto/Our Work is Honest Work” Part 5

“Nuestro Trabajo es Bien Honesto/Our Work is Honest Work” Part 6