We are dedicated to forging community and healing through the power of storytelling.
Our Mission
Discover Your Story
We offer prompt-driven writing workshops, (some virtual, some in person) for writers, aspiring writers, under-resourced youth, seniors, former foster youth, parents raising kids with neurodiverse children, people in recovery. Surprise yourself, step into flow, leave your inner critic behind, get your story on the page.
Connect Through Story
These companionable writers rooms allow ideas to flow, friendships to develop, a deep listening to self and others, and new voices to develop–ones that might not have otherwise been heard. For people walking difficult paths, it is an opportunity to know they are not alone. We help people to get their story to the page and connect to others in the process.
Share Your Story
Writers come together to tell stories on a theme (Free, Invisible, Firsts, Green for example) in front of an audience–a classroom or community rooms. We also curate larger scale, bi-annual unforgettable evenings of storytelling and music. 100% of money raised from ticket sales goes towards offering community workshops at no cost to participants.
Our Story
We began with a salon style reading series for writers, storytellers and the occasional songwriter sharing heart wrenching, at times hilarious and always meaningful stories in an intimate setting.
In March 2020, the immediate need for connection inspired our prompt driven writing workshops which have served over 500 professional and aspiring writers since its inception.
Proceeds from Salon and workshops have raised $190,000 given to non profits serving under resourced communities throughout Los Angeles.
Saved By A Story offers these prompt driven writing workshops at no cost within the community to various vulnerable populations including former foster youth, seniors, women and teens in recovery, and women raising neurodiverse children. These companionable writing collectives help people to delve into their own stories, foster friendships and help people to know they are not alone.
In March 2024, Kathy is honored that Saved By A Story has become a project under the fiscal sponsorship of Unusual Suspects Theater Company. All donations are tax deductible. We are dedicated to bringing the powerful tool of community based writing and storytelling to under resourced groups throughout Los Angeles with the intention of expanding nationally in the near future.
$190,000+
Raised for non-profits through our storytelling salons
100+
Writing workshops on zoom and in the Los Angeles community
200+
Writing workshop participants of all ages and demographics
our FOUNDER
Kathy Katims
Kathy grew up in a railroad apartment above a luggage store in Brooklyn, fifth of six kids, with a father who got a fatal illness when she was a teenager. She was an under-resourced, underrepresented youth. Her mission is to help people like herself tell their vital stories.
While she was in college, Kathy read an article that she couldn’t get out of her mind. It posited that a profound source a grief for foster youth is that they often have no consistent adult to hold their story–no one to say, “When you were two, you lost a tooth and when you were nine, you learned to ride a two wheeler, and when you were thirteen, you met your best friend.”
In 2016, Kathy had an idea to bring foster youth together in small prompt-driven writing workshops to unearth their history, to bear witness for each other, and to know they were not alone. The intimate, safe setting of the workshop allowed young people to delve into their stories, to share their stories and to create connection, community and friendships.
When Kathy decided to bring these workshops to other populations, SAVED BY A STORY was born. Since 2016, Kathy has run free prompt-driven writing workshops for women and teens in recovery, former foster youth, neurodiverse teens, parents raising neurodiverse kids, teachers, and senior citizens.
In addition to her community work, Kathy founded the Saved By A Story storytelling salon which has built community, supported emerging writers and so far raised $190,000 to help under-resourced and underrepresented people tell their story.
In March 2020, Kathy began Saved By A Story Workshops, prompt-driven writing workshops giving established and aspiring writers a creative, safe and inspiring environment to develop the stories they are burning to tell.
In March 2024, Kathy is honored that Saved By A Story has become a project under the fiscal sponsorship of Unusual Suspects Theater Company. Funds raised will benefit the community work of Saved by a Story. She looks forward to growing Saved by A Story and expanding its reach.
our TEAM
Marisa Torelli-Pedevska
Advisor
Jason Katims
Creative Advisor
Sawyer Katims
Events Planning
Melanie Hoffmann
Production Assistant
How to Support Us
Support Us Directly
Funds support free writing groups for marginalized communities, fostering creativity and camaraderie while amplifying unheard voices.
Attend a Salon Event
Join us for an unforgettable evening of story, music, community and inspiration. Funds raised from salons support our non-profit initiatives.
Volunteer
Sign up to volunteer at a storytelling salon and come see the show for free. Reach out to join the leadership group to become a certified facilitator.
Partner With Us
Partner with our nonprofit to cultivate community through storytelling or receive training to establish tailored "Saved by a Story" writing circles for those you serve.