Stoop Stories is a Brooklyn-based community organization that connects, supports, and celebrates New York City neighbors through intergenerational, community-made documentary storytelling, play, and shared activity rooted in the city's stoop tradition. We build real connection across generations, increase social health, preserve neighborhood stories, and revitalize communities, with a particular focus on underrepresented communities across the five boroughs.

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The Problem & Solution

Americans are facing a public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, disconnection, and trauma, one that is particularly acute among youth and elders. Our award-winning intergenerational "Stoop Chat" series uses short documentaries and workshops to increase social connection between these groups, as do our other programs. Participants report feeling less lonely, more connected to their communities, and have an increased sense of belonging and mattering. 

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Our Story

Stoop Stories was founded in March 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, by visual storyteller Marj Kleinman, a lifelong Brooklynite still living in her childhood brownstone. From the sidewalk six feet below, Marj began photographing her neighbors on their stoops and asking how they were coping with COVID. Soon, what started as a solo pandemic portrait project became a group of more than 30 New Yorkers creating documentary films, workshops, and events, and ultimately a nonprofit, incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in June 2025.

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We operate through two arms: Stoop Stories Productions, which produces photo stories and short documentary films, and Stoop Stories Community Programs, which delivers workshops, festivals, exhibits, and screenings. Both are powered by the Stoop Stories Collective, a group of artists and community builders ages 16 to 75 who co-create and lead our programs.

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The stoop itself is our organizing principle. It is New York's original third place: a shared threshold where neighbors gather, tell stories, and come to know each other's lives. As modern life has emptied our gathering spots, we have been rebuilding one of the oldest.

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Our partners in this work include CoGenerate, Generations United, DOROT, SAGE, the Eisner Foundation, Heights & Hills, Henry Street Settlement, United Neighborhood Houses, New Neighbors Partnership, Arab American Family Support Center, Five Boro Story Project, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NY, Citizens Committee for NYC, Atlantic Avenue BID, and Brooklyn Arts Council.

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Since 2020, we have produced 349 stories across all five boroughs, held 39 events, and engaged 5,600+ community members. Our work has been featured in the press 59 times, including in The New York Times, Time Out New York, The Washington Post, NY1, and PIX11, and has won 14 awards, including two Anthem Awards for community engagement. We have exhibited at the International Center of Photography, Photoville, Brooklyn Children's Museum, and Arts Gowanus.

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Our work is guided by a Board of Directors and an Advisory Council, whose members bring deep expertise in community engagement, public health, anthropology, arts, media, and assessment.

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Contact us if you are interested in collaborating.

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