Storyband is a product and service designed to address the psychological and emotional needs of people in emergency shelters. Being forced out of one's home can be traumatic and stressful. This project is designed to create community and help people make sense of their experience. Groups of disaster victims can use Storyband kits to capture their emotions in the form of a physical keepsake. Participating in this activity as a group led by a shelter volunteer prompts people to share their stories as they build the band, which can be worn around the wrist or attached to clothing and accessories. It also serves the direct practical function of registering the user's blood type, medical conditions, and preferred languages. Storyband kits are provided to shelter volunteers in the context of a larger donation campaign. Donors can add a Storyband to their gift and send a personal message to disaster victims, building a connection between those inside a shelter and the larger community. In the long term, the bands will serve as a coded language for wearers once they have returned to everyday routines. Recognition of the band and the experience it represents fosters a sense of empathy and connection. Learn more on Issuu .