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What They're Saying ...
The Making of a Family Historian Legacies online classes on researching and writing family history came just in time. I was collecting information on writing my family history but struggling on how to begin, what to include, how to put it into book form, and how to publish it. This series of classes walked me from start to finish in a way that was both helpful and engaging. Even though I had already done two years of research I am glad that I began with the first of the classes that covered research. It was an excellent review and I learned a lot. The information along with Mary's wonderful way of adding humor and creativity continued throughout the weeks of the series. The questions and answered by other students created a community of idea sharing. I highly recommend the Legacies series to others who want to begin the same journey. ~ Virginia H. I have taken several classes with Mary Patricia Voell including The Making of a Family Historian, Writing Family Stories, Guided Autobiography. I have found them to be very educational, informative and motivational. She has inspired me to dig deep and bare my soul, writing about topics and feelings I never would have considered before. ~ Beth W. Guided Autobiography I highly recommend Legacies' “Guided Autobiography” course. Mary has years of experience teaching people how to research and write their family stories. In this course participants learn how to write the stories of their own lives. She has carefully structured each session and skillfully guides participants as they review themes and events in their lives and compose stories based on their experiences. I found the course to be a powerful incentive to finally write about my life. I don’t think I could have begun the process without the supportive environment and the ideas provided by Mary and the other participants. I thoroughly enjoyed the weekly sharing of our stories and gained valuable insights into ways to tell my own story. Simply stated, the course is excellent, and Mary Patricia Voell is a masterful facilitator to help you write your autobiography. ~ Mary M. | August 7, 2020 In June 2020, I signed up for a series of workshops entitled, "Guided Autobiography". Mary Patricia Voell, a well-informed and organized facilitator, led a group of individuals to explore stories in our lives that had laid dormant for years. Her ability to provide writing cues opened hidden treasures for each of us. Those exercises reshaped our thinking and creativity from basic fact-reporting to placing ourselves in a specific year and place - with social mores of that time. Mary was genuinely interested in our stories and gave us an option to share or not with the group. She always listened closely and highly respected whatever we produced. Her feedback was kind and tender - because she clearly understood our journey of revisiting and now writing about our past. There were laughs and jokes and sometimes tears and I feel I can speak for the entire group: Our takeaways were such a rich portfolio of our stories and Mary’s countless resources to further guide our autobiography writing. ~ Cheryl R. | August 30, 2020 Programming The program facilitated by Mary Voell has been a great success at St. Francis Home. approximately 20 residents have participated and I have noticed some fabulous participation and results. One resident in particular was reluctant to participate in group activities, preferring to stay in her room and read. She enjoyed this activity right away. Participating in a collaborative storytelling process sparked her creativity and she thrived on the freedom to express herself and delve into a story with other people. This increased her self-esteem, sociability and gave her a sense of control in a time in her life when her choices were limited. The program was also a success at Serenity Circle, the memory care unit at St. Francis Home. Eight ladies participate in every week. They enjoy creating the story as well as hearing the finished story read to them. Because this process is so fun and interactive and taps into the resident’s long-term memories, they become very involved in the process. With smiles and laughter, I have seen excellent participation in the program. ~ Audrey Linn, ADS | Activities Department Supervisor | St. Francis Home, Fond du Lac, WI Thank you so much for coming and bringing us back to our happy spots. Excellent Presentation! It was so good to jog our memories. You urged us to write our life story for our children and grandchildren. Great sharing time and gave good ideas for when stepchildren and grandchildren come for dinner to share and get to know us and our past. ~ SE WI Agency on Aging / First and Foremost: Preserving Personal Firsts One resident let us know right away that she appreciated the program, because it used her brain. Another enjoyed the fun and laughter that ensues as the stories unfold; and another storyteller, who seldom speaks, is listening and most engaged in describing colorful characteristics of the story. They enjoy spending time together. ~ Mary Jean Schroeder, Activities Director of Villa Loretto Nursing Home, Mt. Calvary, WI Without your level of expertise, programs like Elderhostel would be just another program! Your enthusiastic presentation of "A Treasure Chest of Memory Writing Ideas" truly inspired all of us to reflect on our past and preserve our history through the written word. The two-hour program simply flew by, as you were able to generate an outpouring of wonderful stories. ~ Elderhostel / American Club / A Treasure Chest of Memory Writing Ideas Mary, you are truly a catalyst for inspiration! Your knowledge and guidance resulted in a truly memorable presentation. ~ Curative - Waukesha / Storytelling Through our Senses Thank you for speaking to our group of in-home volunteers. Your presentation was enjoyed by all. We truly appreciate your time and effort. ~ The Elder Peer Support Program (RSVP) / Listening for the Story |
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| New York Times. Do you have a story to tell? October 2016.pdf |
| New York Times. Hey Cat least you can be virtually immortal.pdf |
ABOUT MARY PATRICIA VOELL
Mary Patricia Voell is the founder and owner of Legacies: Family & Organizational Historians, the mission of which is to help families and organizations capture and preserve their stories. Voell has a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and undergraduate degree in Interpersonal Communication, having taught at Milwaukee School of Engineering Radar School of Business, Marquette University and Marian University.
Voell is an author, teacher, trainer, speaker, and theatrical producer with over
40 years in professional development, education, marketing & public relations, theater and music.
Member: National Association of Memoir Writers
Member: National Center on Creative Aging
Member: National Storytelling Network | Healing Story Alliance
Volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association Annual Caregiver Conference
Guided Autobiography Instructor
Memory Café Facilitator
Mary Patricia Voell is the founder and owner of Legacies: Family & Organizational Historians, the mission of which is to help families and organizations capture and preserve their stories. Voell has a Master’s Degree in Adult Education and undergraduate degree in Interpersonal Communication, having taught at Milwaukee School of Engineering Radar School of Business, Marquette University and Marian University.
Voell is an author, teacher, trainer, speaker, and theatrical producer with over
40 years in professional development, education, marketing & public relations, theater and music.
Member: National Association of Memoir Writers
Member: National Center on Creative Aging
Member: National Storytelling Network | Healing Story Alliance
Volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association Annual Caregiver Conference
Guided Autobiography Instructor
Memory Café Facilitator