How we got started and
​what we're up to now...

My Story was founded at the University of San Diego as a student program by Charlotte Vitak in 2014. At the first event ever we had 75 students attend! That's when we knew we had something good. From there we built a curriculum, a brand, a peer to peer mentoring program, and name for ourselves on campus. With a lot of hard work we grew and grew to have a regular attendance of about 150 students at our My Story events each semester. 

From there, other schools caught word and before we knew it we were setting up the program for other universities. Since then we have expanded upon the principles of the program and the skills of the My Story team to adapt the program into My Story Events and My Story Workshops for universities, businesses, and non-profits. 

Below are the original experiences and influences that spurred the foundation of this community driven program. ​

The 3 reasons My Story
​ came to be...

*Yes, we know these sound college-y, but swap out 'freshman' for ' new employee' or
​'campus' for 'office' and we think the same principles apply.

Freshman year isn't fun for everyone. 

Entering your first year of college can be an extremely isolating time. You are disconnected from your usual support systems, unfamiliar with your surroundings, and grasping for a new community to be a part of. What happens when students can't find those communities in their first semester or first year? They feel defeated. The 'best four years of their life' are falling short, and they don't know why. Finding a sense of belonging is key to feeling successful at college and choosing to come back year after year.
​
My Story strives to make first year students, and all students, feel like a valued part of the community. When students feel like their voice and presence is valuable they are empowered to dig into the community and contribute. We create a space of belonging that gives students a launch pad so they can dive into their new surroundings.

Universities are siloed communities. 

As I was going through my first year of college I noticed that many groups of students were separated from each other by labels. They all had a similar goals of improving diversity and inclusivity on campus, but no one was talking to each other! Men didn't feel invited to Women's Center events, white students didn't feel invited to Black Student Union events, Asian students didn't feel invited to Chicano events, the list goes on!

​My Story raises up a diverse range of voices and stories to be heard. By pulling in people from different parts of campus to speak, you also pull their crowds to listen. At one event we had a white Religious Studies professor, a hispanic cafeteria employee, and a female STEM student all share the same stage. This brought all of these corners of campus into the same room to listen to each other's stories, breaking down the labels and authority levels that typically divide us. 

A platform to speak, a place to listen. 

On college campuses there are often various spaces for students to voice their opinions, yet there is rarely a space dedicated for other students to listen to students with differing perspectives. My Story focuses on providing a solid platform for mainstream and minority or marginalized persons to be heard by a body of their peers. Through this interaction the most amazing thing happens; empathy is exchanged. People find out they are not the only ones struggling with an obstacle, or they learn about an issue they never even realized existed.

My Story creates a space for the magic of storytelling to inspire the magic of story-listening. People in the audience sit and listen attentively for an hour as their peers bravely and vulnerably speak their truth. In doing so they are a crucial part of the My Story experience. 

Leadership

Charlotte Vitak | Founder
Charlotte started My Story as a sophomore in college and has lead the program through its entire journey, from student led program to start-up. Passionate about people, dedicated to building community, and driven to scale her venture, she is your woman for all things My Story.

Charlotte is currently in Denver living the millennial dream as full time founder, full time side hustler, and full time 'still trying to have a life.' Connect with her and catch up with her journey as an AshokaU intern, a Social Innovation Challenge finalist, and Watson Scholar on LinkedIn.