City Lights is a collaborative effort among writers, scholars and public housing residents. Working 1 to 2 years in a public housing community, City Lights scholars and writers collaborate with residents to design projects that focus on storytelling, personal story sharing and story reading. One public housing site conducted an intergenerational oral history project that resulted in a video and exhibition. Another site is creating a library and reading circles for parents and children. Professional storytellers are helping participants dramatize the books they are reading. National Service WritersCorps members are working with teens on writing projects. Most projects meet once a week over the summer or during the school year. "Success of the programs is dependent on the involvement of the residents," says Director of Council Projects Carmen James Lane. "Projects tend to continue long term after City Lights leaves because of the level of the residentsÌ involvement at the outset." Humanities scholars work closely with residents, and residents are encouraged to take active roles in running the projects throughout the year. They also are involved in organizing fund-raising workshops, providing information on community resources and assisting in forming partnerships with community organizations.