After months of discussion and reflection with our staff and board, we have made the difficult decision to close VOW’s operations at the end of May 2026.
What started as a single oral history collection in 2005 grew into a nonprofit that has published 22 books, connected with tens of thousands of educators and students, and built community partnerships with activists, attorneys, journalists, artists, and healthcare professionals. We have been privileged to share the first-person experiences of hundreds of individuals impacted by human rights crises around the world, including incarcerated people, undocumented immigrants, refugees, agricultural workers, Indigenous peoples, communities displaced from public housing, and many more. Together, we have worked to create a space of deep listening and belonging, where stories can help us learn how to better advocate for justice and positive social change.
We are so grateful to our incredible community, who have supported us throughout the years and made our work possible. Your dedication, passion, and belief in the transformative power of storytelling keep us believing in a better, brighter, more empathetic future for all.
Please stay tuned in the coming weeks for more updates about where to access VOW’s oral history books and resources after our closure. We also invite you to join our virtual farewell celebration on Tuesday, May 26 at 3pm PT to share reflections and fond memories of our time together.
If you are located in the Bay Area, please also join us for the opening exhibition of SETTING THE TABLE: A Sonic Installation of Food, Belonging & Migration on Friday, May 22 at Oakland Bloom Open Test Kitchen. This will be our last opportunity to gather in person and celebrate the project and VOW.
Oral history is about connecting through the transformative power of storytelling, and we are so honored to have connected with each of you.
With deep gratitude and love,
The VOW Staff & Board
