tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/bg/projects?page=3 2025-02-06T23:01:55Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/324573 2025-02-05T00:00:00Z 2025-02-06T23:01:55Z The MPF Mamre House Community Garden Project is an initiative aimed at transforming an underutilised plot at Mamre House into a vibrant, accessible community garden that promotes inclusivity, environmental sustainability, education and social interaction. The project aims to enhance our local community by providing a space where all members, including those with disabilities, can engage in gardening and learn about sustainable practices, as well as hosting a variety of other social activities throughout the year. With a particular focus on inclusivity, the garden will feature raised beds constructed from reclaimed wood, tailored for wheelchair access and others with limited mobility, and a fence along the plot's length to support vined plants such as tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers. The MPF Mamre House Community Garden aims to be a sustainable project that enriches our community for years to come. The garden will: • Promote inclusivity by having raised beds for easy access by wheelchair users and others with limited mobility. • Be environmentally conscious through the use of sustainable gardening practices and a drip irrigation system to conserve water. • Serve as a community hub where people can learn about gardening, share their skills, and participate in a variety of activities, thereby enhancing communal life. • Incorporate educational initiatives to help community members learn about the importance of healthy eating and provide practical lessons on growing and preparing nutritious food. This will not only foster a healthier community but also empower individuals with the knowledge to make informed food choices. We are dedicated to maintaining the garden and expanding its impact through community workshops and educational programs. This project will be a model for future community-driven, inclusive green spaces across Sydney. • $267.00 for 1800mm star pickets - to build a robust fence that will support vined foods, enhancing the garden's productivity and aesthetic appeal. • $650.00 for irrigation materials - to install a drip irrigation system ensuring efficient water use and the sustainability of the garden during all seasons. • $83.00 for screws, nails, etc - to secure materials needed for constructing raised garden beds, making the garden accessible to wheelchair users. I am the founder of Mypower Foundations, focused on empowering individuals with disabilities through innovative community projects. With over a decade in disability advocacy, my passion is fuelled by my personal journey as a parent of two neurodiverse children and caring for a sibling with dementia. These experiences have deepened my commitment to creating inclusive spaces that promote learning and well-being, like our MPF Mamre House Community Garden Project. Kylie Crambrook Mamre House Community Garden Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/320053 2025-02-03T00:00:00Z 2025-02-04T00:23:25Z The LifeEdge Program provides individualized support to youth who have experienced sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in York Region through a day program and one-on-one support. The program occurs at BridgeNorth’s office in Newmarket. Youth in the LifeEdge program have access to our day program where they learn important life skills and engage in new and fun activities. Participants also met with two workers who provide them with support which is tailored to their unique situation, experiences, and needs. Youth in the LifeEdge program are offered a safe and stable place where they can begin to heal from their trafficking experience, meet their needs, learn new skills, and thrive. Transportation is one of the greatest barriers to accessing the LifeEdge Program. Due to the nature of sex trafficking, many participants are experiencing precarious housing, low income, and don’t have access to reliable transportation. To reduce this barrier, we provide participants with transportation whenever possible. This most often takes the form of vouchers for Uber or staff driving to meet them in their community. By funding transportation to our office in Newmarket, you will increase the accessibility of the LifeEdge Program for the youth who need it most. The youth who move frequently, who don’t have a stable and reliable home, and who count on our support as one of the only consistent resources in their lives. It will allow us to bring more youth to the program and for staff to drive to meet youth in their communities. This will increase their connectedness, engagement, and ultimately their safety. BridgeNorth Women’s Mentorship & Advocacy Services LifeEdge Access https://bridgenorth.org/lifeedge/ Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/313346 2025-01-31T00:00:00Z 2025-04-13T16:49:24Z Sunflowers is a charity in Aigburth currently providing support to over 1700 local people following a diagnosis of cancer or other life-changing illness. We offer a busy and varied program of classes to our clientele, but lacking from our current offer are art and craft based activities. Well known for their therapeutic benefit, we’re keen to offer more arts based experiences for our clients, particularly with a view to encouraging them to try new mindful and relaxing hobbies to further enhance recovery and good mental health. Many of our clients are vulnerable people and, post-pandemic, are still feeling the effects of living in isolation. It is important that any course is built around those who need to once more integrate into the community, but have been so mentally decimated by the effects of being alone for so long that they can’t face the usual support groups. One of the main benefits of our programme is the social prescription that it offers. Many of our clients live alone and our programme offers them an opportunity to meet in a safe and friendly space that they know, with like-minded people who have personal experience of similar health issues. Whilst we focus on people in our local community who are affected by cancer and long term conditions, we are also open to members of the wider community seeking to improve their own wellbeing, and the activities within the programme are open to all. We advertise upcoming events at the centre, on our social media and via word of mouth. We’re partnering with local artists, craftspeople, and arts organisations to provide workshops, taster sessions, and classes. These partnerships will strengthen community ties, benefiting both our clients and local businesses. Our services are free or low-cost for registered clients, with wider community members asked to pay what they can. Keeping costs low ensures we can support as many people as possible. Cat Andersson Liverpool Sunflowers Arts Programme https://liverpoolsunflowers.com United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/322485 2025-01-31T00:00:00Z 2025-02-15T17:47:14Z Since 2010, Nerd Nite Toronto has created an inclusive, welcoming, and fun place for people to get together. Each event, two or three people give presentations on a wide range of topics - whatever they're passionate about - plus trivia. The Nerd Nite community has really helped people connect over the years and the love of learning something new and interesting and unexpected. In 2020, Nerd Nite Toronto shut down for the pandemic. On November 9 2024 we hosted the first Nerd Nite Toronto in over four years, and are excited to bring Nerd Nite back as a regular part of the city's event and cultural landscape again. With the support of the the Awesome Foundation grant, Nerd Nite will return to the Tranzac Club for a Pi Day event (with pie!) as our first 2025 event. https://www.register2meet.com/nerdnitemar2025/info Lauren Shorser and Virve Aljas Nerd Nite Toronto Pi(e) Day Event https://www.register2meet.com/nerdnitemar2025 Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/326072 2025-01-31T00:00:00Z 2025-01-29T23:15:30Z Since January 7, 2025 we have been responding to the Southern California wildfires with local disability partners. Our Disability and Disaster Hotline has been fielding constant calls/texts/emails of disabled disaster survivors and families needing disaster assistance, disability supplies and equipment, and support navigating the disaster. We have been collaborating with local disability partners such as the Centers for Independent Living in the impacted and surrounding areas by supporting with technical assistance and guidance of emergency management systems. **What our grantee is saying:** "Thank you Awesome Foundation for your support of our life-saving work!" The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Disability-led Disaster Response to LA Fires http://www.disasterstrategies.org Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/319689 2025-01-31T00:00:00Z 2025-02-18T07:52:40Z Our January grant was awarded to SLAMDANCE garage, a solo performance on punk and blackness. Nestled somewhere between performance art, a rock show, and an one-act opera, Ian Andrew Askew hurdles through an hour of music, movement, and text celebrating the absurdity of explaining Black people’s participation in their own culture. SLAMDANCE garage utilizes text from Nina Simone, Audre Lorde, Drexciya, and other liberatory luminaries, reharmonizing their words to the sounds of drums, distorted vocals, electronics, and the blaring resonance of a custom-one string bass called the babatoni. Inspired by the Malawian musician Gasper Nali’s babatoni, Mississippi bluesman Moses William’s diddley-bow, and the Afro-Brazilian berimbau, the handmade instrument (nearly the same height as its player) is an homage to the technological through-lines of music across the African diaspora. The Bushwick Starr is currently presenting a new iteration of SLAMDANCE garage, offering the first multi-week run of a work by Ian Andrew Askew. The production will reach over 2000 patrons across communities in experimental theater, opera, and punk music. The renewed production – first presented at The Performing Garage in 2021 – features new songs, expanded immersive design, additional choreography by Justin Allen, and the use of open captioning and audio description for increased accessibility. Inspired by the use of supertitles in opera and the tradition of liner notes in punk records, SLAMDANCE garage will feature open captioning, allowing the audience to experience spoken and sung text in real time, fostering a more accessible experience for deaf audience members and expanding the visual experience of all audiences. Funds from AwesomeNYC will fund the position of a captions operator for all performances. * SLAMDANCE garage plays Wednesday - Saturdays from 2/8-3/1, 2025 at The Bushwick Starr * [Purchase tickets online](https://www.thebushwickstarr.org/slamdance-garage) and find out more about special events such as a special vendor market (2/22), Black Theater Night (2/21), and Closing Party (3/1) Ian Andrew Askew SLAMDANCE garage https://www.thebushwickstarr.org/slamdance-garage United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/315436 2025-01-30T00:00:00Z 2025-01-31T02:10:40Z While delving into the lives of my Sicilian family, whose immigration journeys led them to Gloucester’s Fort, I uncovered documents branding my grandfathers, Filippo Millefoglie and Pietro Favazza, as “Enemy Aliens.” This discovery shed light on a troubling history that profoundly impacted Italian Americans, including Gloucester’s fishing community. On Dec. 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Proclamation No. 2527, declaring that “subjects of Italy being of the age of fourteen years and older…are termed alien enemies.” 600,000 Italian Americans, one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States, were forced to register, carry identification cards, and adhere to travel restrictions. The order imposed a curfew and the surrender of cameras, shortwave radios, and flashlights. 10,000 Italian Americans were evicted from their homes; some were imprisoned. Its impact reverberated throughout Gloucester. The Gloucester Daily Times headlined “Drastic Rules Laid Down for Enemy Aliens,” detailed restrictions and bans. Sicilian fishermen, integral to Gloucester’s fishing economy, were barred from the waterfront and cut off from their livelihood. Addressing their plight, one local politician suggested a “community farm” to provide food for these “outcasts.” My grandfathers were embedded in Gloucester’s fishing community, a force of 450 men working on more than thirty large draggers and many smaller boats. These families had 300 sons in the Allied armed services, some flying missions over their ancestral villages. Sicilians filed for naturalization, but many had their applications deferred or denied. The persecution faced by Italian Americans during WWII remains relatively unknown. My project seeks to fill a gap in maritime history by examining how Proclamation No. 2527 uprooted the lives of Gloucester’s Sicilian fishing community—families whose survival depended on the sea—and how these events impacted the local fishing industry. Maria Millefoglie Branded as "Enemy Aliens" United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/319296 2025-01-29T00:00:00Z 2025-01-30T13:43:46Z Արմավիրի մարզի Տիգրան Մեծ-ի անվան ռազմամարզական վարժարանում երեխաները անցնում են Պատմություն առարկան: Պետությունը և դպրոցի տնօրինությունը հատուկ ուշադրություն է դարձնում առարկայի լավ յուրացմանը: Հաշվի առնելով այն հանգամանքը, որ ժամանակակից աշակետները սովորում են ավելի շատ դիդակտիկ նյութեր օգտագործելով, որոշել ենք օգնել նրանց և ավելացնել Հայոց պատմություն առարկայի ուսումնական տեսական նյութերը: Դպրոցի նոր վերանորոգված միջանցքի 50 մետրանոց պատի վրա կհավաքենք հայոց պատմության տեղի ունեցած նշանավոր իրադարձություններն ու կարևոր կեր պարներ, նկարներ, լրացուցիչ տեղեկատվություն QR կոդերով, մարդկության պատմության ժամանակագրական ուղղին : Նախատեսել են, որ յուրաքանչյուր կիսամյակի ընթացքում ինֆորմացիան կթարմացվի, և ամեն անգամ երեխաները միջանցքում կանգնելով կամ այդտեղով անցնելով, մի նոր բան կսովորեն մեր պատմությունից: Աշխատանքներին ներգրավված կլինեն աշակերտները, ովքեր կկազմեն ինֆորմացիոն թերթիկները, կմշակեն դիզայնը և տպելուց հետո կհավաքեն համապատասխան ստենդի վրա: Նախատեսում ենք կազմակերպել մինչդպրոցական էքսկուրսիաներ, որոնք ուսուցողական մեծ ազդեցություն կունենան: Կունենանք հարմարավետ տարածք, որտեղ աշակերտները հաճույքով կգտնվեն և միաժամանակ կուսումնասիրեն պաստառի տեղեկատվությունն ու կհետաքրքրվեն լրացուցիչ տեղեկատվությամբ: Թեհմինե Մկրտչյան Քայլել պատմության հետ Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/310331 2025-01-29T00:00:00Z 2025-01-30T11:47:06Z I am the 8th grade special education teacher at Georgetown Middle School. I work with students in the general education classroom and in a separate setting. The students that I primarily work with typically have a specific learning disability, ADHD, Anxiety or some combination of all 3. As you can imagine, it is hard for them to sit for a period of time in the typical desk and chair classroom setting. When they come to my room, I would like to offer them flexible seating where they can feel more comfortable and confident and be able to learn in setting that suits their needs. I would like to purchase a variety of flexible seating for my classroom, such as standing desks, table and chairs that allow for sitting or standing, comfortable chairs or wiggle seats that allow students movement that they need in order to stay focused. There are a variety of options and I would like to provide my students with such variety. Christine M Russell Flexible Seating United States Georgetown, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/georgetown tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/320096 2025-01-29T00:00:00Z 2025-01-30T22:26:16Z This January, AFRI is supporting Clay Play Ceramix Studio. Based in Olneyville, Providence, they are the only queer and sex worker owned ceramic studio in Rhode Island. This is a private studio with a limited number of residents that holds free community workshops and private lessons for queer/trans sex workers. Their kiln desperately needs new shelves after years of wear and tear; AFRI's support will allow the studio to keep on firing. Clay Play Ceramix Studio Clay Play Ceramix Studio United States Rhode Island https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/rhodeisland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/319497 2025-01-29T00:00:00Z 2025-03-12T16:46:18Z Our initiative shares art and poetry with the communities of Housing Transitions, including those that support low-income residents, through one-hour community sessions open to residents of Evergreen Heights, Pleasant Hills, and other properties. We aspire to build connectedness as a way of uplifting the State College community. We’ve attached some pictures from our first holiday-inspired collage session at Evergreen Heights. Ria Sharma, Anshuta Beeram Engaging Hearts & Minds: Arts Uniting Communities United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/321916 2025-01-28T00:00:00Z 2025-01-29T03:58:48Z BLAQK is a documentary that will speak to the intersectional experience of Black Trans existence in life and Portland, Oregon — It will touch on themes of desirability, navigating transness within Black community and vice versa and more! the overarch is to honor Black Trans journeys in its rawness and fluidity. the hope is to deter from giving a monolithic narrative to Black Trans identity; since we aren't all living the same; we just share some of the same intersections is all. — J Jackson BLAQK https://www.gofundme.com/f/blaqk United States Portland, OR https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/portland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/321120 2025-01-28T00:00:00Z 2025-01-30T15:37:44Z Lucky Jefferson uses art and storytelling to bring people together. Our mission is simple, we publish social change. We mobilize today's artists and writers to do good by providing safe spaces for their voices and collaboration with others to address pressing societal issues. With a focus on creative impact, we ground ourselves in the power of art as a way toward challenge norms and reform the world we knew. Through our work, we aim to magnify voices that are routinely oppressed. Juan H., a currently incarcerated artist, is teaming up with us for a print project that explores the complex and often overlooked relationships formed in prison. This initiative invites incarcerated individuals to reflect on unconventional bonds—such as the connection between a man and his found record collection, the strength of communal ties, and the relationships formed within the confines of the prison system. Through this project, Juan and other participants will share personal stories, offering unique insights into the human need for connection in a setting where such bonds are often unseen. It challenges societal norms and opens a conversation about the emotional lives of incarcerated individuals, providing a public-facing platform for voices typically excluded. Juan’s vulnerability and leadership along with our support will ensure that this project stays grounded in lived experience. The funding from the Chicago Awesome Foundation will be crucial in compensating contributors and supporting the creation of the final publication. This grant enables the project's success, and helps bring these undiscovered narratives to the public. Lucky Jefferson Bonds Behind Bars http://luckyjefferson.com United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/322779 2025-01-28T00:00:00Z 2025-01-30T15:40:27Z I currently offer Fashion Craft Workshops for women and girls. Within these Workshops, participants learn to revamp existing items and turn them into a unique, custom piece. Participants are encouraged to Be Unique, Stand Out and Dream Big. I have been wanting to add Sewing Workshops to my menu. This would allow workshops to reach new heights as participants would be taught the fundamentals of creating fashion on another level. This investment would enable me to provide hands-on sewing classes, empowering women and girls with valuable skills in design, creativity, and sustainability. These workshops would foster a sense of community while promoting self-expression and eco-conscious practices through upcycling and crafting. It will serve as a welcoming space for participants to connect, share ideas, and create lasting bonds, building a stronger sense of community. By teaching practical and artistic techniques, the workshops will also contribute to sustainability, encouraging participants to repair, upcycle, and create their own clothing and crafts, reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices. This initiative will inspire confidence, provide a platform for entrepreneurship, and celebrate the diverse talents of Chicago’s women and girls, making our city a more vibrant and inclusive place. Seneca Stevenson Dream Girl Sewing Class https://dreamgirlstudio.net/ United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/323842 2025-01-27T00:00:00Z 2025-02-18T21:49:33Z On March 1, 826DC will be presenting “Dear Adult,” a special performance of DC young people’s written works reflecting on this moment in our nation’s history. Throughout January and February, 826DC will be hosting a series of workshops designed to empower young writers to speak truth to power through the art of letter writing. These workshops will take place at 826DC’s after-school program (for DC public school students grades K-8), at DCPS elementary, middle, and high schools across the city, and in public sessions with our partners at Hubbard Place and Portner Flats. Young people will be asked to write a persuasive letter to an adult of their choice in a position of power. The letter – rooted in the concept, “If you could speak freely to someone in a position of power, what would you say?” – will focus on an issue that is important to them, or a question they have for that adult. Students will then read these letters aloud in a public performance at Arena Stage on Saturday, March 1. Leading up to the performance, we hope to provide several public speaking rehearsals for students who are new to presenting in public. Following the performance, these young people’s letters will be published in a professionally-bound publication that will be distributed to students and made available for purchase at the 826DC store. Check out a few early excerpts of letters from our after-school students: • “Dear President Trump, I’m tired. We, the people of America, are all tired. I bet that you are tired of receiving letters like this. I implore you to consider why. I want to know when there will be equal rights for women.” • “Dear Superintendent Mr. Lewis Ferebee, Homework is unfair because we work all day and a lot of kids are in aftercare and they get tired so they won’t practice well. That’s why homework is unfair and I want to lay with my cat and dog.” • “Dear Family, Why don’t kids make their own choices? We treat people with respect. I love you!!!” 826DC “Dear Adult” http://826dc.org United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/319149 2025-01-22T00:00:00Z 2025-01-23T15:53:43Z I am an informal educator working to bring accessible arts workshops with a heavy focus on accessibility and sustainability to the San Antonio community. I currently offer various printmaking mediums, but am looking to expand to mosaics, soldering, jewelry-making, and more. I work mostly with local non-profits and small business and split profits with my host venues, and any money I walk away from ticket sales for these workshops with is directly reinvested for future workshops. Ideally, I would love to be able to work independently and offer no-cost or donation-based workshops in the future. My hope with these events is to enrich people's lives by not only offering them time to be creative, but also to showcase the beauty in the mundane of our world and help people think more creatively about how they can use what they have to create beauty in the world around them. I firmly believe good art takes into account its impact on the community and the planet, and when we incorporate upcycling into our art practices, we can make them more accessible for ourselves by reducing the barrier of cost, and we help the planet we live on by reducing waste and incorporating previously unused items like thrift store china, $2 organza, and picture frames. Anfisa Brewer Accessible Arts Workshops https://www.instagram.com/dirtybonesdesignco?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== United States San Antonio, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sanantonio tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/314102 2025-01-22T00:00:00Z 2025-01-26T13:01:41Z We are excited to share the exciting News! The Ipswich public schools is happy to announce an afterschool program for our middle school youth. Students are invited to join us during after school hours and participate in a variety of activities. Students will have the opportunity to have participate in group activities such as ping pong tournaments, dodgeball games, outdoor activities community service , creative arts, bake off competitions, and don’t you worry snacks will be provided! Students will also have access to the YMCA and library . The afterschool program will be a drop in program for youth in the Ipswich community who are looking for a place to socialize, and simply enjoy time together with peers. We have conducted a survey with the middle school students and the responses were extremely positive! Alicia Merry Ipswich Middle School Extended Day Drop In Pilot United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/319998 2025-01-21T00:00:00Z 2025-01-23T15:00:19Z Basketball has always been more than a game to me—it’s been a part of who I am. Growing up in Philadelphia, I spent countless hours on the court, playing the game I loved. As a high school athlete and still a high school student today, I shared the dream of so many others: to see myself in action, captured in the moments that defined us as players. But the reality for me and my teammates was often disappointing. Hiring a professional photographer to document our games was something we couldn’t afford. Many of us came from families working hard just to get by, and paying for professional pictures wasn’t an option. I remember the feeling of watching other teams post their professional shots on social media or sharing them with recruiters, knowing we didn’t have the same chance. It wasn’t just about having cool pictures to share. These photos could have been tools to showcase our talent, open doors for scholarships, or even just preserve memories of some of the most significant times in our lives. We didn’t just miss out on photos—we missed out on opportunities. My life took an unexpected turn when I was sidelined from playing due to heart issues. It was devastating to step away from a sport that meant everything to me, but I wasn’t ready to let go of basketball altogether. I found a new way to stay connected to the game: photography. Armed with my camera, I started capturing the passion, energy, and resilience of athletes across the city—many of whom were in the same position I once was. Now, I take sports photos for free, ensuring no young athlete misses out on having their story told. As a high school student, I balance classes, homework, and my photography passion by traveling around Philadelphia to document games, practices, and candid moments. This project is about more than just pictures. It’s about giving back, about creating equity where there wasn’t any before. George Lane Philly Frames: Where Sports Meet Stories United States Philadelphia, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/philadelphia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/318193 2025-01-20T00:00:00Z 2025-03-17T20:04:10Z Pittsburgh Social Health is hosting its first ever Connection Expo. Our aspiration is to offer a one-stop opportunity for attendees to connect with organizations and clubs in the region. Our why: we believe social connection and building meaningful relationships is good for many reasons, namely improved mental health, reduced social isolation, increased civic engagement, and a net positive impact in the community. While social media and digital tools go a long way, it would be useful to bring interested residents and organizations together in one space for a more up-close and interactive opportunity to connect and be more involved. Haley Ingersoll Connection Expo https://www.pghsocialhealth.org/connection-expo United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/317637 2025-01-16T00:00:00Z 2025-01-23T14:14:12Z Our awesome project is a student-run initiative based out of Queen’s University called Yarning for Love. We are a group of student knitters and crocheters who create items for the Kingston General Hospital to be donated to new families and Childhood Cancer Canada to be donated to youth newly diagnosed with cancer across the country. From hats to baby blankets to stuffed animals, our group creates a variety of projects, each handmade with lots of yarning love. Our mission is to put our love for knitting and crocheting, creativity, and passion into helping the Kingston community and making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. In the three years that our club has been running, we have donated over 1000 items to our partner organizations – something of which we are incredibly proud of! We value creating a non-judgemental space for connection and creativity as we are an equal opportunity club – any student can join regardless of skill level! We teach our members how to knit and crochet and love to see the progress our beginners make by the end of the year. We also strive to create a barrier free experience for our members by eliminating club fees and providing all members with free yarn and supplies (knitting needles and crochet hooks) to ensure that one’s financial situation is not a barrier to making a difference in our community. We have a small but mighty executive team of 6 members and a general member population of 250 students. Having just completed our fall semester donation, nearly 250 items were donated between our two partners, and they were ecstatic! We are always searching for ways to expand our reach in the Kingston community by inquiring about working in partnership with retirement homes and fellow Queen’s clubs. All in all, we are a group of young individuals who seek to destress through art to make a difference in our community! Lia Kirkpatrick Queen's University Yarning for Love https://www.instagram.com/yarningforlovequ?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/306860 2025-01-16T00:00:00Z 2025-03-04T03:48:59Z AwesomeStPaul is pleased to award our second January 2025 grant to Career Pathways, a 6-12 school in St. Paul. Our grant will be used to put on their school's first-ever school play including materials for props. Congratulations! According to applicant Brittany Schmidtknecht, "Our English teacher was gone a number of days and as a co-teacher I filled in. I know we have struggling readers at school who are skeptical to read around others. I found a few short skits and had the students perform them. Watching them was a surprise. They excelled and came alive! Kids who never talked in class were up talking and ready to perform in front of the class. They asked to do more skits and the next class period and following week. The whole class talked about it and about how much they enjoyed it. By their second skit, they were making props and talking louder and more confident. The next day, I had them write their own skits and they were funny and full of charisma. I told the students they should ask a teacher to sponsor an elective class that could put on a longer production or a play. They then asked me and I couldn't say no. Listening to them read was so moving!" Brittany Schmidtknecht Bringing the Theater Experience to Cpath United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/312012 2025-01-15T00:00:00Z 2025-01-26T23:54:20Z Purpose of our Sweat Lodge The sweat lodge is a sacred space for purification, healing, prayer, and community connection in Native American traditions. It serves as a spiritual and cultural practice where individuals come together to pray, reflect, and reconnect with themselves, their community, and the natural world. Cultural and Community Importance 1. Cultural Preservation: Sweat lodges are integral to maintaining and passing down traditional Native practices. They promote cultural identity and pride among participants, particularly for youth and those seeking to reconnect with their heritage. 2. Healing and Wellness: The ceremony fosters physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. It provides a safe space for participants to address trauma, addiction, grief, and other personal challenges. 3. Community Connection: Sweat lodge ceremonies strengthen bonds between community members, creating an environment of mutual support, understanding, and unity. Stephen Hurley Community Sweat lodge United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/318612 2025-01-14T00:00:00Z 2025-01-15T23:17:48Z The student leaders in my Leadership Training Course have been responsible for setting up our new schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative for our PK-8 school. They sought students' voices regarding our schoolwide behavior expectations and matrix. They also worked on obtaining prizes for students who earn WEIS Bucks for following our schoolwide expectations (Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe) by writing to 55 community businesses. Their next step in developing our program is teaching the elementary students and their middle school peers about the behavioral expectations. They will do this through student-created videos. Student-produced videos will help send positive messaging about our schoolwide behavior expectations. In the fall of the 2023-2024 school year, only 54.5% of students reported a sense of belonging to Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, as evidenced by the Panorama Social-Emotional Learning Survey. Data also indicate that attendance and school safety are school needs. We hope this project will decrease negative behavior and help students feel safe again. In addition to these videos focused on PBIS, they will also produce fun videos that support positive school culture, climate, and pride. Recently, our group has also been charged with capturing memories and putting together our yearbook, which will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Waimanalo School. We need additional equipment to do this. This proposed project will help our student leaders play a role in addressing some of these needs and possibly identifying and working toward solutions. Based on the research, we know that when students have authentic experiences and audiences like the ones outlined in this proposal, they are more likely to be engaged in their learning, and the quality of their work increases. We also know from the literature that building students' sense of agency is key to engagement and future learning. David Yung Student Leaders' Agency Through Video Production http://NA United States Oahu, HI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/oahu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/313667 2025-01-14T00:00:00Z 2025-01-18T15:45:02Z The NHS Robotics Team has over 30 dedicated high school students, based in Newmarket, Ontario. Our team has actively participated in various robotics competitions VEX Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, First Robotics Competition, and Skills Ontario Robotics Contest. Our program fosters innovation and life skills by replicating a professional team environment where students take on roles like programmers, builders and scouts. Through engineering notebooks and self-assigned goals, students gain practical experience, which prepares them for STEM-related careers. Our alumni have advanced to companies like Tesla and Amazon Global Robotics Cortney Cassidy c/o NHS Ricci Tam, YRDSB Newmarket High School - Phoenix Robotics Team Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/314911 2025-01-14T00:00:00Z 2025-01-19T22:42:17Z “I paint immersive natural environments, interrupted by animals, plants, or pop culture icons that are ripped from their original context. Looking at these visually pleasing compositions invites further questions about why these subjects are being consumed in the same glance. This idea is emphasized with the abrupt positioning of subjects that don't fit with the surrounding. For example, in "Ocean Birdscape: California Condor," condors are positioned in the middle of an underwater scene, next to images of an imposing church and inviting waterlilies that creep towards a school of fish. Additionally, in "Garfield - Frolic in the Woods," a glitchy Garfield is floating in front of a cold mountain landscape, next to the omnipresent gaze of a ghostly fish. These scenes don't make sense when consuming nature in the real world, but do they in the blurred landscape of the internet? How does this affect our attitude towards nature? While creating these composition, I have been extremely aware of the impending doom of climate change and other future uncertainties. In this context, appreciating nature in its original context is more important than ever. I aim to emphasize the beauty of natural subjects by centering them in my compositions. Ripping subjects from their contexts prompts questions about how we consume nature in a sterile, cleansed way. The internet provides access to nature for millions of people, but is complexity and fragility in the face of climate change communicated enough?” More on Instagram @russtang_art and at http://russellstangeland.com/ Russell Stangeland Nature Collages: Blurred Apocalypse and Frolicking http://russellstangeland.com United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/321870 2025-01-13T00:00:00Z 2025-01-14T00:37:03Z The Mennello Museum of American Art is thrilled to bring back its 10th Annual Indie-Folkfest on February 15, 2025, an exciting celebration of music, art, and culture. Presented by VyStar Credit Union, this free, family-friendly festival will be held in Orlando, offering a vibrant lineup of local musicians, food vendors, and fun activities for all ages. The event will feature performances from talented local acts like Oakhill Drifters, Beth McKee and her Funky Time Band, Beemo, Claire Vandiver, and Skinny McGee, alongside Emcee Blue Star. In addition to the live music, festivalgoers can enjoy delicious food and beverages from local favorites such as Guesthouse, Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream, and Rock Paper Scissors Eat. The festival will also host a variety of activities, including yard games by Triangle Lawn Games, hands-on project stations, and a bespoke raffle featuring prizes donated by local businesses and attractions. This community event, supported by the Museum’s City-Appointed Board of Trustees, not only highlights the creative talents of local artists and businesses but also helps fund the Mennello Museum’s educational programs. Be sure to mark your calendar for this exciting day of music, food, and community spirit! Emily Jensen Indie-Folkfest 2025 https://www.mennellomuseum.org/Events/2025-Indie-Folkfest-at-the-Mennello-Museum United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/315147 2025-01-12T00:00:00Z 2025-01-14T22:27:48Z "Reading Under the Redwood" would be a monthly program designed to foster a love of reading and strengthen community ties through immersive storytelling. Set against the stunning backdrop of our hostel's majestic redwood tree in Santa Cruz, this initiative invites children to gather for enchanting storytelling sessions. Each month, children of all ages will have the opportunity to listen to a variety of captivating books read aloud by local volunteers and community members. Sara Tinger Reading Under the Redwood http://www.santacruzhostel.org United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/318877 2025-01-12T00:00:00Z 2025-01-14T22:27:14Z Cabaret is a comical and beautiful musical that also addresses important topics like anti-Semitism, homophobia, facism and their effects on communities .For our production, we are creating an immersive experience that encourages the audience to think critically about the way the events of Weimar Germany in the early 1930's relate to our own experiences now. We have created thoroughly researched lobby displays with historical context and interactive elements to encourage the audience to get involved, and our goal is to motivate the audience to action and activism to prevent similar events from happening here and now. Throughout history, art and theater have been a key way for stories of oppression to be told, for affirming identity, and for communities to come together. Cabaret is a prime example of how art can inspire audiences to look inward and to action, and we are really working to create something impactful and moving. Kyle Vasquez Cabaret the Musical http://renegadetheaterco.org United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/304840 2025-01-09T00:00:00Z 2025-03-04T03:49:15Z AwesomeStPaul's first grant recipient of 2025 is the Art Department of John A. Johnson High School. With this grant, the school will be able to make repairs to their ceramics equipment. We chose them because we want to encourage creativity in our community, and an important way to do that is to provide tools for student projects in the arts. Congratulations! Jessie Tran Repairs for Johnson High School Art Department United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/317662 2025-01-08T00:00:00Z 2025-01-11T20:22:40Z At Arab Women United (501c3), we are committed to empowering women through accessible resources that promote mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Our Thrive: Wellness Program combines mental health education with nutritional wellness, recognizing the strong connection between mental and physical health. The program consists of interactive seminars led by licensed mental health professionals and nutritionists, covering topics such as stress management, building emotional resilience, and the impact of nutrition on mental health. Participants gain culturally sensitive insights into balancing their mental health while learning practical approaches to healthier eating and lifestyle habits. Through guided activities, resource-sharing, and open discussions, the Thrive program equips women with tools to enhance their overall quality of life. By addressing these interconnected areas, we aim to foster a holistic approach to wellness that empowers women to thrive in all aspects of their lives. Zahraa Alrafish Thrive: Mental Wellness Initiative Program http://www.arabwomenunited.org United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/307494 2025-01-05T00:00:00Z 2025-01-13T02:59:30Z The Newburgh Creates Foundation is excited to announce the launch of our FIRST LEGO League (FLL) team for the 2024-2025 school year, open to Newburgh youth ages 9-14. This public program will engage students in STEM, creative problem-solving, and teamwork, as they build and program LEGO robots to complete missions for competition in the FLL "First Dive" ocean-themed season. Along with designing and coding their robots, participants will also tackle a research-based team project and presentation, following the FLL guidelines. A significant focus of this grant proposal is to secure scholarship funding, ensuring students from Newburgh who face financial barriers can participate without cost concerns. Scholarships would cover essentials like registration fees, materials, and travel expenses for regional competitions. With the help of Awesome Newburgh, we aim to create an accessible program that welcomes students from all backgrounds to explore their potential in STEM fields. Jason C. Otero FIRST LEGO League Program Proposal and Scholarship https://www.newburghcreates.com/first-lego-league United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/320201 2025-01-05T00:00:00Z 2025-01-13T02:59:00Z Our team, Paddles for Battles, hosted a charity pickleball tournament in August of last year with only two goals: helping to unite our community, while also helping give back to our community. We started with the simple goal of wanting to bring friends and family together for some fun tournament play, but we saw the opportunity in our idea and immediately pounced on it. We ended up seeing participation from over 16 teams and raised over $500 for our beneficiary, The Newburgh Ministry. This year, we plan on hosting our second annual event in mid-late May 2025 in Delano Hitch Park on the renovated basketball courts that are available to rent. We are starting our advertising push now, with social media content and physical flyers in communal spaces around Newburgh. We are also contacting potential sponsors or vendors willing to set up stands around the basketball courts. Local public figures such as council members and the mayor will be informed of the event and we will send out a friendly invite if they want to come out and speak a few words. Live music from local performers, a fun day with an easy-to-pick-up, low-effort sport like pickleball accessible to all ages, and local artisans and businesses as vendors and food! Robert Rios Paddles For Battles Community Day 2025 United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/313353 2025-01-02T00:00:00Z 2025-01-03T01:30:12Z The first of two Awesome Ottawa awards for December goes to Amanda Palmer and the Mechanicsville Community Association to support community gatherings for mental health. “Mechanicsville is a small neighbourhood of about 2,500 people,” explains Amanda, “and in the last six months we have had several neighbours die by suicide.” “We know this because it occurred in a public way, or because they had previously been an active volunteer in the community.” “As a result,” says Amanda, “many neighbours have been wondering what can be done in the future, and what they may have been able to do, should they have recognized the signs, or known what to do with the signs they did recognize.” “What we have identified,” she continues, “is both the need to increase community connections and relationships, and to create more access points to knowledge and resources around mental health and suicide in our community.” “We intend to hold a ‘Neighbour Night: Take a Mental Health Break!’ gathering on January 23 to do just that. We plan to offer a community meal to enable people to show up, and to get to know one another. During dinner, we will have a community conversation to allow for deeper connection and to better understand needs and opportunities around mental health. The second hour will include guest speakers who will share information about what can be done in these contexts, as well as share what resources are available.” “Additionally,” says Amanda, “we plan to have a community grief tree as a ritual to allow people to make a communal expression of grief for those who are no longer with us, or for those who are struggling.” The [Mechanicsville Community Association] (https://www.mechanicsville.ca/) is a group of volunteers interested in promoting and protecting the interests of Mechanicsville residents. Mechanicsville Community Association Community Gatherings to Enhance Mental Health https://www.mechanicsville.ca/ Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/309353 2025-01-02T00:00:00Z 2025-01-03T13:56:45Z The second of two Awesome Ottawa awards for December goes to Toni van Eeden to support a series of sensory-immersive live music shows using interconnected wireless headphones. “Inside Voice,” explains Toni, “will be a series of sensory-immersive live music shows that mean to move us into more sustainable ways of relating to ourselves and the natural world. Taking the tools of the Silent Disco – interconnected wireless headphones – and applying mycelial thinking to it, these shows will be designed with nervous system regulation and aftercare in mind.” “Each pair of headphones has its own volume control,” Toni continues, “and allows for people to be standing or sitting many feet apart from each other and from the performer without sacrificing the quality of the show. This means we can essentially perform anywhere without worrying about bylaw-enforced noise restrictions or choosing venues with proper sound equipment. Being more creative with our choice of space also means being able to be more immuno-friendly, sensory friendly, and contextual to the content of the show.” Besides themself – under the moniker [PARTYGIRL] (https://partygirlrising.com/) – the project will also include Bleu Pâle (DJ moniker of visual and tattoo artist Coblou), Ardea (ambient dub techno), and Taymaz Valley (poet and beatmaker). “Inside Voice shows,” says Toni, “will be about inviting audiences to become introspective and self-reflective, and to experience something that will transform us and grow our capacity to strive for sustainable togetherness.” Toni is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work deals mainly with themes of grief, the hidden self, and the sensory body. They have worked in the local arts scene for over a decade, with a focus on education and consultation in entrepreneurship and event organizing. Toni van Eeden Inside Voice Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/315427 2024-12-31T00:00:00Z 2025-01-05T23:05:16Z ParaCliffHangers is the largest paraclimbing network in the United States, serving as a national leader in adaptive climbing with over 23 chapters dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through accessible climbing lifestyle. Our project, "Adaptive Rock Climbing—A Community for Everyone," aims to further our commitment to inclusivity by providing all chapters with adaptive-specific gear, ensuring that our community is accessible to climbers of all abilities. In 2025, we are focused on securing funding for essential adaptive equipment, specifically the Easy Seat harness and T-Bar Ascender. These adaptive climbing tools are crucial for supporting individuals with various severe mobility needs, making climbing accessible. Equipping each chapter at $800 per set represents a significant investment directly impacting our ability to provide a truly inclusive experience. We aim to achieve 100% accessibility across all ParaCliffHangers chapters by the end of 2025. By funding this project, you are helping us ensure that everyone in our community can access the tools and support they need to climb. **What our grantee is saying:** "Receiving this award from the Awesome Foundation is an incredible honor and a reflection of our shared commitment to inclusion, equity, and community. At ParaCliffHangers, our mission is to build an inclusive climbing community for people with disabilities, led by people with disabilities. This micro-grant will directly support that mission by funding adaptive climbing gear, which is essential for creating accessible spaces where paraclimbers can thrive. We're grateful for the recognition and support as we continue breaking barriers and fostering impact through climbing." Denny Kowska Adaptive Rock Climbing - A Community for Everyone https://www.paracliffhangers.org/ Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/310796 2024-12-31T00:00:00Z 2025-01-08T06:32:54Z We are excited that our December 2024 grant was awarded to Bee University NYC (Bee-U), a community-driven nonprofit based in Staten Island that inspires environmental stewardship and fosters the next generation of green leaders through urban beekeeping. With a focus on education, sustainability, and environmental justice, Bee-U offers unique programs like the Urban Beekeeping Fellowship and Hive Experiences. Bee-U connects people from across New York City to the wonders of pollinators while empowering underrepresented groups in the green economy. From free events to innovative partnerships, Bee University NYC is creating a buzz for a more sustainable future. Follow them on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/beeuniversitynyc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/beeuniversitynyc/) to learn more. Do you want to get involved? * Apply for the Urban Beekeeping Fellowship: The Urban Beekeeping Fellowship is a transformative paid program for youth ages 16-24 designed to empower underrepresented groups in the green economy. Fellows learn the art and science of beekeeping while exploring environmental justice and sustainability issues in their communities. The Fellowship application is released in March and you can [apply directly on their website](https://www.beeuniversitynyc.org/urban-beekeeping-fellowship). * Sign up for a Hive Experience: Bee University NYC Hive Experiences are unique, hands-on workshops designed to connect people of all ages (8 and older) with the fascinating world of honeybees. These one-time experiences provide an educational and interactive opportunity to learn about beekeeping, honeybees' essential role in our ecosystem, and the delicious diversity of honey. Participants can gear up with protective suits and step into a beekeeping area to observe live honey bees in action. Hive experiences are available from May - September and can be [booked here starting in March](https://www.beeuniversitynyc.org/plan-a-visit). * Donate: Your donation to Bee University NYC directly supports their mission to empower the next generation of green leaders and promote environmental stewardship through urban beekeeping. With your help, Bee-U can continue to provide innovative programming, maintain their hives and pollinator gardens, and create meaningful opportunities for underserved communities. [You can donate here](https://www.beeuniversitynyc.org/donate). Andre Ware Bee University NYC http://beeuniversitynyc.org United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/311522 2024-12-31T00:00:00Z 2025-02-22T17:31:59Z This project will be a collaboration between neighbourhood children and a professional mural artist. We plan to have a series of workshops to reconnect children with local green spaces, habitats and water systems. Children will make connections between the importance of caring for our local habitats, reducing the amount of waste they produce, and ensuring that garbage and plastics do not enter into our water systems and soil. The children and the mural artist will build on their experiences with the natural environment to collaborate on a vibrant and beautiful mural for the Dentonia Park recreation building with text in predominant neighbourhood languages (i.e. English, Bengali, and Chinese). We live in a diverse and vibrant neighbourhood where Dentonia Park is one of the only outdoor spaces for many children. Yet, the park is at times so littered with garbage that children cannot play freely. The intent of the mural will be to inspire and engage community members to take care of our green spaces and ecosystems. Jessica Hein Dentonia Park Community Mural Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/312883 2024-12-30T00:00:00Z 2024-12-31T20:51:14Z This December, we're supporting ‘69-’96: A Closer Look at a House in Common, a house tour in Newport at 15 Dresser St, focusing on the three totally exceptional, incredibly normal families who lived there at different times from 1969-1996. The project asks people to think about a Newport history that spans the opening of the Newport Bridge to the X Games at Fort Adams, as lived in a classic Victorian. The middle class families whose lives were held at 15 Dresser St worked at Sears and for the Navy, ran an antique store, blasted the Smashing Pumpkins and grew weed in the attic. All of these histories exist in Newport though they are never illuminated by the glossy spreads in the tourist traps. The producers will use fund to help produce related digital assets; the event will be free and open to the public. Rebecca Noon '69-'96: A Closer Look at a House in Common https://www.centeraquidneck.com/69-96-a-closer-look-at-a-house-in-common United States Rhode Island https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/rhodeisland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/305567 2024-12-26T00:00:00Z 2024-12-27T02:17:20Z Willowood Community Youth Group is a resident run afternoon program for kids 5 and up. Our mission is to provide a positive place for self expression through creative art, crafts, painting, games, needle craft such as crocheting, knitting, sewing,baking and home work help and more.Some children are home alone after school until their parents arrives home from work. We are a low income Federal Housing neighborhood. Our children are from all different ethnic back grounds such as Arabic, African American, Asian snd Latino.Most of the younger kids are outside with no adult supervision. We want to have a positive impact on young people, improving self esteem, self confidence, improve better mental health and social emotional skills, and reducing risky behaviors that have been seen with teens in the neighborhood such as drinking and smoking out in the open. Jillian Brewer Willowood Community Youth Group United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/316045 2024-12-25T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T16:04:44Z Cranksgiving is an annual bicycle-driven food drive that blends cycling and community service. Originating in New York in 1999, Cranksgiving has expanded to over 100 locations nationwide. Our event in State College has grown tremendously since its start and will celebrate its 7th year next season! Every year, the local cycling community gathers during the Thanksgiving season to ride to local grocery stores and purchase items for the Centre County Youth Service Bureau. These donations directly support local teen shelters and families through their parenting programs. Over the past six years, Cranksgiving State College has raised more than $18,000 in groceries for CCYSB. Our Statistics, and archives of past years is at https://stats.cranksgivingstatecollege.com (photo attached) This year was our biggest yet, raising nearly $5,000 in donations, and we're already gearing up to make next year even better. We're considering expanding to a two-day event to drive even greater participation and donations. We’re excited about the possibility of having the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile join us for an extra boost of fun and visibility, though we may not secure an appearance this year. ** this event is typically end of October, early November. Matthew Cox State College's 7th Annual Cranksgiving https://cranksgivingstatecollege.com United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/315574 2024-12-25T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T16:05:09Z I am thrilled to propose bringing the award-winning documentary How Saba Kept Singing to the State College community, paired with an exclusive talk and performance by Avi Wisnia. This event will provide a unique opportunity to experience a powerful story of resilience, music, and love while fostering conversations about history, faith, and family. How Saba Kept Singing tells the remarkable story of Cantor, Holocaust Survivor, and Military Veteran David “Saba” Wisnia, who, in his later years, traveled with his grandson and accompanist, Avi Wisnia, sharing his story of survival through music. For much of his life, David believed he survived Auschwitz largely by singing for his Nazi captors, which granted him a fragile status as a “privileged prisoner.” However, during a family trip back to Poland for a final performance, Avi began asking deeper questions. Together, they uncovered a surprising truth—someone else had played a significant role in David’s survival. This revelation added a new dimension to David’s story, one that illuminates the power of love, sacrifice, and resilience even in the darkest of times. Directed by Sara Taksler (Tickling Giants) and Executive Produced by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, the documentary has been met with critical acclaim. It premiered at the HotDocs Toronto International Documentary Festival in 2022, aired nationally on PBS in 2023, and earned the Audience Award at the Rutgers Jewish Film Festival. It is currently nominated for a News & Documentary Emmy Award. David Wisnia’s story has also been featured in The New York Times and Buzzfeed. My goal is to bring this impactful film and Avi Wisnia’s insightful talk to State College to engage the community in meaningful dialogue. This event will connect audiences to an extraordinary story of survival and music, sparking conversations about history, resilience, and the enduring power of human connection. Lisa R. Marzka How Saba Kept Singing Viewing and Discussion https://aviwisnia.com/2023/05/how-to-watch-how-saba-kept-singing/ United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/312640 2024-12-23T00:00:00Z 2024-12-23T18:03:43Z Հազարավոր երեխաներ կորցրել են իրենց տանը տոնածառ դնողին, իրենց տոնական սեղանի ծախսն անողին, իրենց գլխի տակ նվեր դնող Ձմեռ Պապուն և հաճախ էլ դիմավորում են Նոր տարին հիվանդանոցում։ «Նվիրիր հույս» ծրագրի շրջանակներում ամեն տարի ուրախացնում ենք հազարավոր երեխաների՝ Արցախից մազապուրծ եղած, սոցիալապես անապահով ընտանիքների և մանկատներում բնակվող: Արալեզներս՝ սկաուտներս և մեր պատասխանատուները, հասցրել ենք ու փորձում ենք ամանորյա փոքրիկ հրաշք հասցնել՝ Նվիրելով Հույս, որ Ձմեռ Պապը կա ու վաղը լավ է լինելու։ Ծրագրի ընթացքում պատրաստում ենք հատուկ նվերներ՝ ըստ դիմում հայտերի հերթականության, ապա մոտեցնում մարզկենտրոններ, ուր միջոցառում ենք կազմակերպում Ձմեռ պապի գլխավորությամբ և բաժանում. նույնիսկ Արցախում: Ծրագիրն անփոփում ենք տարեվերջին՝ դեկտեմբերի 31-ին, հիվանդանոցներ այցելելով, ուր նույնպես Ձմեռ պապի հետ բաժանում ենք նվերներ և հույս նվիրում, որ Ձմեռ պապը չի մոռացել և վաղը լավ է լինելու: Առաջին հիվանդանոցն է լինելու Պրոֆեսոր Ռ․ Հ․ Յոլյանի Անվան Արյունաբանական Կենտրոնը, ուր այս տարի երեխաներին նվիրեցինք մեր հեղինակած «Սուպեր Հերոսը» գիրքը, որը երեխաներին ուղղորդելու է ողջ հիվանդության հաղթահարման ճանապարին՝ նրանց նախապես պատրաստելով իրենց սպասվող հավանական բուժմանը։ Նվիրենք հույս, միասին։ Այս տարի «Նվիրիր հույս»-ն իրականացնելու համար խնդրում ենք օգնել մեր Ձմեռ պապուն կամ ինքներդ լինեք Ձմեռ պապ՝ ֆինանսապես աջակցելով ծրագրին։ Նոնա Հարությունյան Նվիրիր հույս https://aralez.org/projects/gifthope/ Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/309355 2024-12-19T00:00:00Z 2025-01-22T21:42:41Z Join the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce – Greater San Antonio (PACC-GSA) on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at Kain-Na Filipino Cuisine for National Lumpia Day 2025—a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture, food, and community impact. Enjoy an all-you-can-eat lumpia buffet, cooking competitions, raffles, and more while supporting a great cause. A portion of event proceeds will benefit the PACC-GSA Disaster Relief Fund, providing critical aid to disaster-affected communities in the Philippines and locally. Your support helps us honor Filipino heritage, empower local businesses, and extend hope to those in need. 📞 Contact: 956-343-6360 📧 Email: pacc.ctr.texas@gmail.com Gene Carangal National Lumpia Day 2025 United States San Antonio, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sanantonio tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/310475 2024-12-17T00:00:00Z 2024-12-18T02:29:50Z Started in Brooklyn, NY in 2017, Queer Soup Night is a queer-led national organization with affiliates in cities across the US. Queer Soup Night events showcase the culinary talent of local queer chefs in queer-owned or allied spaces, where sliding scale donations are gathered to raise money for a local LGBTQ+ non-profit or advocacy organization. The goal of these events is to foster community, celebrate queer culinary talent, and gather resources to protect the most marginalized and deserving of support in the LGBTQ+ community. On January 19th, 2025, we will be hosting Chicago's first local affiliate Queer Soup Night Event in over five years, tentatively at Dorothy Downstairs - a sapphic / lesbian bar in West Town that is a central pillar of Chicago's LGBTQ+ night life, arts, and cultural scene. Proceeds from sliding scale donations charged for soup will go directly to Brave Space Alliance: a Black and trans-led LGBTQ+ Center on the South Side of Chicago that creates and provides affirming and culturally competent services for the entire LGBTQ+ community of Chicago. The timing of this event is planned for the night before Donald Trump's inauguration. With his administration committed enacting an incredibly anti-LGBTQ+ agenda, it's critical for organizations like the Brave Space Alliance to be fully-funded and prepared to continue providing resources and support to the most vulnerable in our community, specifically trans and non-binary Chicagoans and transgender youth. While we have the mentorship of the national Queer Soup Night organizers, every chapter of QSN is locally-led and 100% volunteer-powered, with local organizers planning events and finding chefs, venues, and donated goods without any sort of formal support or budget. As of now, I am the only person leading organizing efforts for Queer Soup Night Chicago, with a handful of volunteers supporting me. Mariel Brown-Fallon Queer Soup Night Chicago https://www.queersoupnight.com/ United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294407 2024-12-16T00:00:00Z 2025-03-17T19:52:03Z Karavansarai is a series of free communal chai pop-ups. It’s an effort to reclaim public space, build community and political solidarity, and create beauty where we live. We hope to foster a sense of entitlement to the built environment by reappropriating space within it for these events, and we want people to develop a lexicon for engaging and critiquing it. These events began in North Carolina two years ago. Aside from the political solidarity, it provided a third space where people didn't have to pay to be welcomed, and they could genuinely socialize with their neighbors. Ahmed Amer Karavansarai https://www.instagram.com/karavansarai_chai/ United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296034 2024-12-15T00:00:00Z 2025-01-11T15:45:04Z In its 6th year, Shop-with-a-Cop pairs youth with law enforcement the week before Christmas to do holiday shopping or the kids and their families. Youth selected are recommended by teachers, counselors and probation. This program serves youth through all Clay County. Scott Kostohryz Shop-with-a-Cop http://www.moorheadpal.org United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/315196 2024-12-12T00:00:00Z 2024-12-17T09:35:02Z At Warm Paws NSW, we admire the dedication of The Awesome Foundation’s high-caliber volunteers. Your mission to support overlooked or new ideas requiring a financial boost to get off the ground is inspiring, and we are grateful for the opportunity to present our project again! Warm Paws is dedicated to ensuring that regional pounds across New South Wales are equipped with the essential resources to care for their animals. Our mission is to streamline the distribution of donated items—such as food, bedding, and medical supplies—by creating a centralized storage system. This system will enable us to stockpile 12 months' worth of donations and distribute them monthly based on the unique needs of each pound. This December is an especially critical time for supporting animal welfare, as Christmas often brings with it the unfortunate reality of puppy dumping and overwhelmed pounds. Looking back at the Awesome Foundation Sydney’s recent winners, it’s clear the grants have been a catalyst for diverse and impactful projects, such as the “Kangaroo & Joey Rehabilitation Enclosure” in February 2024. With no animal-related project receiving the grant since, we believe now is the perfect moment to shine a spotlight on animal welfare, especially when the need is greatest. We envision this project as a critical step toward making Sydney and its surrounding areas more awesome by ensuring no animal in regional care goes without the essentials. This initiative not only promotes animal welfare but also strengthens the bond between Sydney's community and its regional counterparts. Warm Paws exemplifies the Awesome Foundation's mission by directly addressing a grassroots problem with a solution that’s scalable and community-driven. We believe this grant will help us inspire Inclusivity: By ensuring that underfunded regional pounds receive equal access to resources, we foster equity across communities which will have a lasting impact. Warm Paws NSW - Paawwesome will make the city of Sydney more awesome by connecting Sydney donors to regional pounds. Warm Paws fosters a spirit of inclusivity and generosity. Our project ensures that every dollar, donation, and effort is put to use where it’s needed most, making Sydney and its surrounding areas more compassionate and connected. Together, we can create a future where every animal in care has access to the essentials they need to thrive. This is our vision for a more awesome greater Sydney! Kathryn Hacio Warm Paws NSW - Being Pawesome!! https://www.facebook.com/warmpawsnsw/ Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/310663 2024-12-11T00:00:00Z 2024-12-12T05:51:42Z Mindful Bubbles is a quirky little project designed to inject some joy and silliness into the everyday grind. Armed with bubble wands and a sign that boldly proclaims, "Adults Can Play Too," I set up shop in public spaces, inviting anyone who’s willing to stop and stare to make, chase, pop, or just watch bubbles float by. There’s no agenda—just bubbles, laughter, and zero productivity expectations. Think of it as a brief rebellion against the chaos of adulting, one bubble at a time. The whole thing started during the pandemic when I was in the depths of anxiety and needed something to calm my brain. After experimenting with different bubble solutions (yes, there’s more than one kind), I discovered that making bubbles was the ultimate stress buster. It turned into my own little mindfulness ritual, helping me stay present and forget about everything else for a while. When I shared this with friends, they were like, “Wait, this is actually awesome,” and I realized—I had to share it with everyone. Mindful Bubbles is about reminding people that life doesn’t always have to be serious. It’s easy to get caught up in stress and worries, but a bubble—or 50—can offer a quick escape into joy and wonder. By inviting people to play, pop, or just exist with the bubbles, we’re encouraging a moment of mindfulness wrapped in sheer fun. Because let’s face it—life’s a lot more fun when you’re chasing bubbles instead of deadlines. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll all reconnect with our inner child… even if that means getting a little wet in the process. AZUL Take back joy, one pop at a time! https://www.instagram.com/mindfulbubbles/ United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/308481 2024-12-11T00:00:00Z 2024-12-12T05:50:10Z Let’s open up Space! Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the hackerspace Noisebridge, our ongoing mission to explore strange (yet economically priced) new ascent technologies; to seek out new parts and new partnerships; to boldly go where no non-government-nor-massively-industrially-funded-group has gone before. Space is awesome but why should Elon Musk get all the fun? Let’s create a space program open to everyone. Traditionally, space exploration has been limited to governments and to the wealthy, and that is a loss to us all. Access should be as wide as the human imagination and Space, itself. To end this inequity Spacebridge is stepping up to the challenge with the goal of bringing space to the masses! Started in the hallways of the famous hacker/makerspace, Noisebridge, Spacebridge is a people driven near space exploration program. Relying on the propensity of hydrogen filled balloons to reach the edge of space before returning to earth with a bang(!), we are sending payloads to that edge, with plans to take samples, photos and other types of data, then and returning them safe to Earth. In short exploring the edge of our world and the beginning of the infinite. In our first launch, we sent up a handcrafted Whale and Petunia to the upper stratosphere to both test our wings and “investigate the question of life, the universe, and everything.” While that payload was not recovered, we learned much. For instance, early telemetry readings strongly hint at the answer being 42. This is a cross-disciplinary, project-based, learning experience involving many disciplines: electronics, software, radio operation, textiles, bushwhacking, treasure hunting (note, downed weather balloons are considered salvage),art and more! Ellen C McBarnette 99 Red Balloons https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Spacebridge/NBRL-001:_Infinite_Improbability_Drive United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/306112 2024-12-11T00:00:00Z 2024-12-16T19:14:34Z I am the new Transition Coordinator for The Lincoln Center, a Special Education program in Wyandotte, Michigan. We service students with Autism and Cognitive Impairments ages 5-26. We are in the process of developing more Transition opportunities for our adult students. We are starting cooking classes and have opened a Transition Room for students to work on Adult-Living Skills. Skills students will learn include kitchen safety, cooking measurement, meal prep, cooking, money management, laundry, cleaning, community safety, independent skills, proper hygiene, and school-based enterprises. We plan to start three enterprises this year, and more in the future. These enterprises include popcorn sales, t-shirt sales, and gift bag sales. Students will create the products, sell them, and manage the money from sales. Learning these skills will help our students better prepare for adult life after they are finished with school. Our goal is to help students build independence with their Independent Living Skills. Jennifer Spicer Special Education Transition Room United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/310649 2024-12-10T00:00:00Z 2024-12-11T19:16:14Z Laie Elementary School (LES) prioritizes the need for a Writing Continuum to support student learning throughout all subjects. According to our SBA results from 2023-2024 school year, some of the English & Language Arts writing targets that students struggled with or was measured below proficiency were: • Target 1: Narrative writing and revising brief texts • Target 6: Opinion writing and revising texts • Target 8: Writing language and vocabulary use • Target 9: Writing editing To improve in these areas and better support teachers in providing appropriate writing curriculum in the classroom, a National Board Certificated Resource Teacher will provide professional development training for LES faculty based on the award-winning program “The Writing Revolution” by Judith C. Hochman. On January 7, 2025, all 45 permanent teachers and paraprofessional educators (PPE) are required to attend the Castle-Kahuku Complex Planning and Collaboration Day, when the training will take place. To more fully immerse in and effectively learn the new writing program, the NBCRT highly recommended purchasing hard copies of the textbook, “The Writing Revolution 2.0: A Guide to Advancing Thinking Through Writing in All Subjects and Grades” by Hochman and Wexler. The goal for this project is for LES teachers and PPEs to become certified in The Writing Revolution Hochman Method and have the needed materials to fully integrate the program into their teaching curriculum for the rest of the school year. With this certification and textbook, our goal is to promote continued discussion and use of the writing program in (1) Weekly Team (Grade) Collaboration Meetings, (2) Bi-weekly Grade Leadership Coordinator and Extended Faculty Meetings, and (3) individual End-Of-Year Evaluations with the Leadership Team (Principal, VP, SSC, & CC). Should the writing program and materials prove to be successful, the Leadership Team is committed to continuing the writing program into the next school year. Courtney Fermantez Revolutionize Laʻie Elementary Writing Curriculum https://www.thewritingrevolution.org United States Oahu, HI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/oahu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/312573 2024-12-10T00:00:00Z 2024-12-10T17:42:54Z We are excited to announce a free sewing program open to the public, with a special focus on multigenerational Lee-Harvard community members and friends. This program will feature 10 sessions, where participants will learn basic and intermediate sewing skills. All supplies, materials, and equipment will be provided at no cost. Participants will have the opportunity to create 5 to 8 articles of clothing, accessories, or household items, which they can take home for personal use. Three of the sessions will introduce the concept of “babywearing” and its benefits. Participants will sew “ring baby slings” to be donated to local birthing centers. This initiative is called the “Creative Babywearing Program.” Through this program, participants will engage in civic responsibility, addressing critical issues in our community. With high infant mortality rates in our area, babywearing is seen as a beneficial practice for both babies and caregivers. The birthing centers targeted by this program are in areas affected by systemic inequities. The average retail price for a baby sling is $69, making it unaffordable for many caregivers. By creating and donating 50 slings, participants will help bridge this gap. Over the six-month program, participants will: • Learn basic and intermediate sewing skills. • Understand the benefits of babywearing. • Engage in community solutions to local issues. By participating, individuals will strengthen neighborhoods and breed personal empowerment. Donating slings fosters trust, empathy, and human connections, creating a strong foundation for addressing community challenges together. Paula Coggins for Oh Sew Powerful, Inc. Creative Babywearing http://www.ohsewpowerful.org United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/cleveland