Our Story
In the Arabian Nights, a poor woodcutter named Ali Baba overhears forty thieves open a rock-sealed cave with the words “Open Sesame!” Inside lies treasure. His brother later enters but forgets the words to exit—and is trapped. The lesson is sharp and simple: the right words can unlock what’s otherwise unreachable. That’s our mission: unlock possibility for kids who need it most—children in homeless and domestic-violence shelters facing their own kinds of caves.
When we started, we recruited and trained high-school and college volunteers to teach computer skills in shelters. We watched shy beginners code their first games and websites—helping kids ship—and saw faces light up as they became creators, not just consumers. We pushed back on the idea that tech has a “type,” and we’re proud of that chapter. We’re grateful to the volunteers who joined us, and to the kids whose creativity inspired us.
Why We’ve Pivoted
Times change—and so have we. With rapid advances in AI, even industry leaders are rethinking what skills matter. As Elon Musk recently put it: “There will be no code writing in the future.” The ground under coding has shifted! AI can draft apps from a sentence, and schools teach tech basics early.
So we returned to our storybook roots. We agree with Albert Einstein: “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” And with C. S. Lewis: “Since it’s so likely that children will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.”
We’re putting first things first: stories that form character, inspire courage, and teach kids to face any dragon.
Why Stories Matter in an AI World
As AI tools handle complex tasks, you might ask: are stories still important? We say yes. Stories do what AI can’t: they spark empathy, sharpen moral reasoning, and inspire resilience. Engaging with tales empowers kids to think imaginatively, navigate ethical dilemmas, and craft their own narratives. In an AI-driven world, stories ensure children remain the heroes of their lives—not just passive users of tech.
Why These Tales Last
Courage in a safe space. Dragons, ogres, and dark woods stay safely on the page, but children can still practice bravery as they listen. Guided by our volunteers, they imagine what courage looks like—without real-world risk.
Clear moral choices. Good and evil are easy to recognize, and every choice has consequences. Volunteers lead small-group conversations where kids test their own judgment in a low-stakes, supportive “What would you do?” setting.
Archetypes that inspire hope. Brave youngest sons, wise daughters, loyal friends—familiar patterns whisper, this could be you. With encouragement from their volunteer story-guides, children begin to see themselves as part of those stories.
Rhythm and repetition. “Once upon a time…,” the rule of three, and familiar refrains make stories easy to remember and retell. Volunteers coach kids to echo lines or join in, turning the whole group into active storytellers.
Language that sings. Strong verbs, vivid images, and memorable phrases stretch vocabulary and imagination. Volunteers pause to explain rich words, helping kids rise to the language.
Belonging through telling. Listening together, then retelling together, turns a room of strangers into a circle of friends. With volunteers guiding skits, drawings, and puppet shows, kids move from being listeners to being storytellers—and discover the joy of belonging to a story-sharing community.
Thank you
to the Homeless Shelters & Domestic Violence Shelters who host our story hours!
to the High School & College Volunteers who train as story guides, particularly our dedicated City of Irvine High School Youth Action Team volunteers!
and to our Supporters who underwrite our story kits and new site launches!
