tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/bg/projects?page=6 2024-11-01T18:40:55Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/299780 2024-11-11T00:00:00Z 2024-11-01T18:40:55Z Bringing a Tap Tap bus (common in the Caribbean and other countries) to the Seneff Arts Plaza for all to watch being painted and even help decorate, will bring back fond memories to Central Floridians from cultures where they've ridden a Tap Tap bus and also to travelers who've been amazed at the sight. Patrick Noze Tap Tap Bus tapping colorful design for community http://www.FusionFest.org United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296237 2024-11-10T00:00:00Z 2024-11-11T16:51:46Z My band, Trianna Feruza and the Heavy Hitters, is in the process of producing our debut album, a collection of original songs inspired by our experiences growing up in Santa Cruz, California. We’ve spent the last five years contributing to the local music scene as professional musicians, with a deep passion for our community. We have a 10 track album we will record at Santa Cruz Recording, hiring local producers, videographers and engineers to help us cultivate the best version of this project we can. We will hire all local, and plan on utilizing our team to create an impactful collection of tunes. As we prepare for our summer 2025 tour, this album will be the heartbeat of our journey, representing our home and the people who shaped us. We are working diligently to create music that uplifts and inspires our community, but we need your help to bring this vision to life. Your support will ensure that we can take this music on the road, share our Santa Cruz sound, and continue to inspire those around us. Trianna Feruza The Heavy Hitters https://www.triannaferuza.com/the-heavy-hitters-epk-1 United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/304615 2024-11-10T00:00:00Z 2024-11-11T18:12:35Z Voices Across The Board Inc. is looking to host a community art exhibition to showcase local Newburgh creatives and artist. Our awesome project is looking to give the surrounding public especially those who draw, spray paint, build sculptures, and paint on various canvases a free and safe place to express themselves and to collaborate with one another. The event would take place on Saturday September 21st, 2024, from 12:00pm-7:00pm which allows for both kids and adults of all ages to attend. At the venue we are looking to have several art works displayed as well as a live spray-painted artwork. To shine more light onto the artist in the community, additionally we will be interviewing each artist for 15mins. These collections of interviews will be aired as a podcast episode on Wednesday September 24th, 2024, at 11:59am. At Voices Across The Board Inc we believe that all voices have power and meaning so seeing the art work on display shows directly that this can be achieved because the artist did it, which has a lasting impact on all ages. But we believe it’s equally important to hear why they did it which can bring a greater awareness to both the artist and education to the individual viewing the masterpiece. Lastly, we will be providing both food and drinks at the art exhibit for all those in attendance. This awesome project not only benefits the artist but the community at large. By offering refreshments and food it draws most if not all in instantly through the doors. We believe this event tackles a host of Newburgh’s common issues for this 7-hour period. By feeding and providing a safe environment for everyone, the community is directly and indirectly impacted. Based on statistics Assault and Robbery are two of the four leading violent crimes reporting in the city. https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/ny/newburgh/crime By holding this event it offers a fun, educational and above all else safe place to be on a Saturday when typically, crime is at its highest Jabari Elijah Wells Pawns For Progress - Newburgh Art Exhibition United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/293577 2024-11-07T00:00:00Z 2024-11-08T02:57:17Z We are an elementary school in Newmarket that supports a robust Breakfast, Snack and Lunch program. This year we were not chosen to receive funds for PC Charity. These funds are used to buy fresh products. We support around 20-40 students daily for breakfast, provide around 150 snacks per day and make lunches for students for a variety of reasons. We also support families who are experiencing food insecurity at special times throughout the year. Ingrid Legros Breakfast Club at Armitage Village PS Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/300905 2024-11-06T00:00:00Z 2024-11-07T01:18:07Z Meet Maxie. For the past three years Maxie has been volunteering his time and money to capture the memorable moments had by guests at mental health-related fundraising events on his trusty polaroid camera. A passionate advocate for mental health, it brings him joy to make people happy and to give the guests their photos as a nice keepsake. According to him, ‘Everyone thinks the photos are AWESOME!’. In his own words, Maxie says, ‘I like doing something meaningful in my spare time. I spend my money on the film and entertain the guests. I think mental health is important because it's not talked about enough and your mood can affect a lot of things like your health, your immune system, your ability to think, your sleep’. The grant funds will allow Maxie to double the number of events he can take photos at, in the next two years. Max Truong Maxie's Polaroids Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/300722 2024-11-06T00:00:00Z 2024-11-18T15:36:51Z The Midwinter Magick Festival is a nightlong event to celebrate the winter solstice. We are bringing together artists to create interactive experiences, artwork installations, and other unexpected joys, and install them on the streets of San Francisco. Luc Z and Sylvia Z Midwinter Magick Festival United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/290762 2024-11-05T00:00:00Z 2024-11-08T15:06:20Z A APAE de Ribeirão das Neves/ MG, pertencente à grande BH possui um projeto de musicalização criado para atender pessoas com deficiência intelectual e múltiplas. Nele são desenvolvidas ações de cunho social, ensino de música, percussão para essas pessoas com deficiência. Acontecem ensaios periódicos e os usuários tem a oportunidade de realizar apresentações em vários eventos no município. Essas ações dão a eles reconhecimento e visibilidade em ribeirão das Neves uma vez que, por serem pessoas com deficiência, vivem situações de exclusão e falta de acesso a diversos espaços. Através do Batuque na lata, é reforçado com eles o sentimento de pertencimento, anticapacitismo e desenvolvimento social. Como usarei o dinheiro: Por não possuir investimento local, o dinheiro recebido será utilizado na reforma e/ou compra de novos instrumentos de percussão pois os que possuímos, no momento estão sucateados. Um pouco sobre mim: Sou assistente social por formação, trabalho na APAE de Ribeirão das Neves/MG ha 1 ano e meio e faço o acompanhamento dos usuários, familiares e cuidadores que estão vinculados aos serviços da APAE. Estou diretamente vinculada à gestão da instituição, que não possui arrecadação própria, atuando de forma filantrópica e se mantendo através de doações, e recursos vinculados a projetos. Qual é a cidade e bairro ou regional onde o projeto acontece? (Se essa pergunta não fizer sentido para o projeto, escreva "irrelevante") Região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, município de Ribeirão das Neves/MG Quanto você precisa para o projeto? (o máximo é R$ 3 mil. Projetos que precisem de menos tem mais chance de serem aprovados)) R$ 2800,00 para custeio ou reforma dos instrumentos de percussão. Como o seu projeto beneficia pessoas ou grupos historicamente discriminadas devido a raça, gênero, orientação sexual, idade, baixa renda, ou status como pessoa com deficiência? O projeto atende exclusivamente pessoas com deficiência que estão em situação de isolamento social ou exclusão através da aprendizagem da musicalização/ percussão, manutenção dos instrumentos e apresentações musicais, dando a eles visibilidade na comunidade local, pois são um público considerado por diversas vezes, socialmente invisível. Thamara Dalila Souza de Oliveira Batuque na lata https://www.instagram.com/apae.ribeiraodasneves?igsh=MXh5aWhmczdldXRydQ== Brazil Grande Belo Horizonte https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/rmbh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/302541 2024-10-31T00:00:00Z 2025-04-13T16:50:08Z Halton MakeFest 2025 will be a free, one-day festival designed to engage residents of Halton— one of the 10% most economically deprived areas in the UK— (and surrounding areas) in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Maths (STEAM). With a focus on fostering community, the festivals will showcase interactive art exhibits, hands-on creative workshops, and stalls to connect local people with local makers. By featuring an array of fascinating organisations from Halton and the surrounding area (such as insect zoos, video game coders, photographers, and 3D printing specialists) we aim to spark interest and signpost opportunities for the estimated 2000 attendees. This is crucial as poverty in our community leads to poorer educational outcomes, limited job prospects, and lower life expectancy. We will also offer the chance to volunteer giving residents aged 16+ a chance to gain valuable experience, build confidence, and increase their employability. Widnes Library and Halton MakeFest share the ethos of valuing educational and creative technologies as a tool to expand our community’s horizons. Hosting the event will strengthen the library’s ties to the local community and showcase it as a resource for more than just borrowing books. The library has excellent public transport links, increasing sustainability and access for low-income families and individuals. Partnering with Widnes Library also allows marketing efforts to reach deeper into communities. We will promote Halton MakeFest through targeted online marketing, local media partnerships, email campaigns, and word of mouth. Digital Arts Box has grown Halton MakeFest since its 2019 launch, evolving based on community feedback. We gather data through attendance tracking, surveys, and feedback to identify successes and areas for improvement. This ensures future events continue to meet the needs of Halton’s residents and have a lasting impact on the community. Grace Tompkins Halton MakeFest 2025 https://www.haltonmakefest.co.uk/ United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/299088 2024-10-31T00:00:00Z 2024-11-02T14:45:42Z Girlz C.O.D.E (Colors Of Disability Equality), a groundbreaking career and leadership mentoring initiative of Women Embracing Abilities Now Charlotte aka (W.E.A.N-Charlotte) designed specifically for girls and young women of color with disabilities. The program aims to support their transition from high school to college, and from college into successful careers, by connecting them with accomplished women mentors who share similar experiences and challenges. This will contribute to our mission to end the cycle of poverty and isolation of women with disabilities. Key Components: Mentorship: Each participant will be paired with a mentor, a successful woman with a disability, to guide them on their career and leadership journey. Quarterly Events & Workshops: Participants will engage in quarterly activities that focus on: - Leadership development - Career readiness and professional skills training - Advocacy and support - Self-care tools and strategies Career & Leadership Training: The program provides hands-on workshops to develop skills that are essential for navigating academic, career, and personal challenges. Youth-Led Podcast: Girlz C.O.D.E will feature a podcast created by youth, for youth. It will share stories, tips, and tools to inspire and inform other young people with disabilities, expanding the reach and impact of the program. **What our grantee is saying:** "Receiving the Awesome Disability grant for Girlz C.O.D.E. feels incredible and means so much, both personally and for the organization. This grant represents validation and support for our mission: empowering young women and girls with disabilities to reach their full potential through mentorship, advocacy, technology, and creative expression. With this funding, we can deepen our impact, creating meaningful experiences that bridge the gap between opportunity and accessibility for our participants." Monique Stamps The Girlz C.O.D.E (Colors of Disability Equality) http://bit.ly/WEANCLT Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/304028 2024-10-31T00:00:00Z 2024-11-10T16:51:21Z Hex Girlfriends is an improvised fantasy-comedy podcast created by Ella Maria and Cole Dille. “Join exes Liv and Arlo as they help the monsters and cryptids of their town of Bloodsburrow navigate love and life problems... and try to figure out their own complicated relationship along the way.” Hex Girlfriends is an improvised show that will highlight Toronto’s improv comedy community, one that both of performers are very entrenched in! It features two lesbian characters as the hosts, a witch and a werewolf respectively, who are trying to work through their emotional baggage, in a monster town full of all kinds of creatures. The podcast will mix real-life problems and emotions with its fantasy setting, that will expand in every episode, talking about festivals, fairs, and all kinds of events happening in the town. Hex Girlfriends will use several different segments, like tarot, dream interpretation, and horoscopes to explore interpersonal relationships. Cole and Ella met in Toronto's Bad Dog Theatre’s Improv classes back in Spring 2024, both queer improvisers in Toronto, bringing this inherently queer project about two fictional ex-girlfriends to life. Support from the Awesome Foundation will cover the digital and physical infrastructure for launching the podcast and allow Hex Girlfriends to pay guest performers. Ella Merrett Hex Girlfriends: An Improvised Fantasy Podcast https://hexgirlfriends.com/ Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/304554 2024-10-31T00:00:00Z 2024-12-05T19:27:18Z Rawlinson Middle School in Northside is one of the Newcomer campuses. We serve a huge population of refugee students from Afghanistan, Congo, Rwanda, Syria, Guatemala, Venezuela, and many other countries. For those students, they have never been to a movie theater. ESL teachers would love to provide a meaningful and fun cultural experience to those students during the cherish Christmas season. To many of our students, this holiday season is not always joyful and cheerful. Some families had to leave behind their fathers, some of the children, or the siblings. This could be a good time that we can show love and caring mind for those who need attention. "The First Time in Forever" movie theater project will be remembered for the rest of their lives. Soyeong Oh For the First Time in Forever United States San Antonio, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sanantonio tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/295772 2024-10-31T00:00:00Z 2024-11-21T07:00:31Z Chinatown Records 華埠錄音 is a homegrown community effort to celebrate the richness of music, memory, and history that comes with inherited family collections. From our favorites on the radio to the conversations woven over them, our living rooms ring with the sounds and stories of our families. Sonic Histories with Chinatown Records brings together the music we love and the histories behind them into the classroom at Brooklyn Collaborative for a week-long residency with three 6th grade social studies classes, as a part of the classes’ “Identities” unit to start the year. Rooted in the belief that we can all be DJ historians, students will learn examples of how to start conversations with family members through music. Pulling from the ever-growing Chinatown Records archive of 30+ record collections inherited from my family and neighbors, we'll listen together to songs that have long filled Chinatown living rooms – and how these songs have sparked conversations about the histories and memories behind them. Students will then talk with a family member about a favorite song and the special memories that come with that beloved song. Students will then share with the class and submit their family member’s beloved song and memory on a Chinatown Records carbon copy receipt. Each student will take home one copy to act as a reminder to keep talking to their family about their favorite songs and memories. I will take the other receipt copy to createompile a class playlist as a musical record collectively created by this class of up-and-coming DJ historians to remember our Sonic Histories time together. On the final day, we will host a celebration dance party, soundtracked by the class playlist – a party DJed by our students and their family members. Family members will also be invited to this celebration to hear their favorite songs together with us. For more information: * [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/chinatownrecordsproject) * [Patreon](http://www.patreon.com/c/user?u=108718766) * [Join their mailing list](http://www.rochellehkwan.com/contact) Rochelle Hoi-Yiu Kwan Sonic Histories with Chinatown Records https://www.rochellehkwan.com/chinatown-records United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/254323 2024-10-31T00:00:00Z 2025-02-04T23:17:16Z Our awesome project aims to break down barriers to access for low-income families in Gainesville, FL, by providing transportation to our afterschool program. Our program serves 15 to 20 youth at the local YMCA, offering motivational training and educational enrichment. The grant funding would support the costs of fuel, maintenance, and insurance for our van, ensuring that all students have equal access to our program regardless of their family's financial situation. By supporting transportation, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of these students, providing them with opportunities for personal and academic growth. At the afterschool program run by MOTIV8U of North Central Florida, students receive a range of benefits and resources that contribute to their personal and academic development. Through our "iMatter-uMatter-weMatter" program for ages K-5, students learn to identify and navigate their emotions, develop healthy ways to express themselves, and build strategies to cope with difficult emotions. The "REAL Essentials Advance" curriculum provides students with skills for navigating challenges in adolescence, including understanding their identity, respecting differences in others, and developing healthy dating strategies. Additionally, our "Living L.A.R.G.E." program for upper elementary to high school students focuses on self-discovery and realization, equipping students with the skills they need to succeed and become leaders in their communities. Through these programs, students gain valuable life skills, build self-confidence, and develop positive relationships with their peers and mentors. We help individuals understand their personal value, as well as the value of others. As a result of what we do, participants will have a better understanding of who they are; build on individual strengths; identify areas of ineffectiveness, and improve their ability to relate to others. John Rollins Motiv8u Youth Afterschool Program https://www.motiv8uofncf.org/ United States Gainesville, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/gainesville tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/292415 2024-10-30T00:00:00Z 2024-10-31T15:40:18Z Achieve More! Scotland is a registered SCIO based in Glasgow. We deliver programmes to improve young people’s physical and mental health and well-being, confidence and self-esteem, aspirations, personal responsibility and life chances by engaging them in structured, positive activities that work across communities and are delivered by role models. These activities take place within schools and communities. Our diversionary activities for young people include sports, physical activity, group work, volunteering, employability and personal development sessions in areas of high social deprivation. Our Select Dance team consists of talented members who are young people from areas that fall within Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 1 & 2 in Glasgow. Generally, these young people are priced out of activities such as dance because of the costs associated with participating. Each team member auditioned to secure their place and all were very passionate about taking their dance skills to the next level. By joining this team, they meet like-minded young people from the city, make new friends and share their creativity and passion for dance. The group comprises young people aged between 10 and 18 who are very interested in participating in dance. Being part of our Select Dance team will enable them to participate in competitions across the country to showcase their talents and skills. Some participants, who have been part of our programmes for many years, are volunteers with us at Achieve More Scotland. This is a testament to their commitment and our impact on their lives. Kiera Perks Achieve More Scotland - Select Dance Team https://aandm.org.uk/ United Kingdom Glasgow https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/glasgow tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/291062 2024-10-30T00:00:00Z 2024-10-31T07:20:17Z Բուլինգը համարվում է դարի ախտերից մեկը, որ սպառնում է դեռահասների հոգու հանգստացմանը։ Նախատեսվում է իրականացնել «Բուլինգի հաղթահարում և կանխարգելում» թեմայով 15 մասից բաղկացած նախապես մշակված հանդիպումների շարք՝ դպրոցահասակ երեխաների շրջանում։ Ծրագրի նպատակն է Վանաձոր քաղաքի 16-24 դպրոցահասակի մոտ բարձրացնել իրավագիտակցության մակարդակը, օգնել հաղթահարել տրավմատիկ փորձառությունը և վերագտնելու իրենց ներքին ուժը։ Ծրագրի շահառուները կհավաքագրվեն Վանաձոր համայնքի տարբեր դպրոցների երեխաներից։ Կձևավորվի 2 խումբ, յուրաքանչյուրում ներառելով 8-12 մասնակից։ Մասնակիցները կհավաքագրվեն նախապես իրականացված թեստավորման արդյունքոներից հետո։ Բուլինգի կանխարգելման նպատակով նախատեսվում է կազմակերպել 1-2 հանդիպում դպրոցների ծնողների հետ։ Տեսագործնական հանդիպումներից յուրաքանչյուրի ընթացքում կքննարկվի բուլինգի առանձին տեսակ։ Հանդիպումների շարքը նախատեսվում է իրականացնել դպրոցներից դուրս, որը մասնակիցներին հնարավորություն կտա լինել ավելի անկաշկանդ և անկախ։ Հանդիպումներից հետո ըստ անհրաժեշտության մասնակիցները հնարավորություն կունենան նաև ստանալ անհատական խորհրդատվություն։ Հաշվի առնելով, որ տեսսագործնական հանդիպումներից յուրաքնչյուրի տևողությունը կազմում է 2 ժամ, և աշխատանքները կատարվելու են դպրոցական դասերից հետո նախատեսվում է մասնակիցներին տրամադրել հյուրասիրություն, որը բացի առաջնային կարիքի բավարարումը, կնպաստի նաև միջանձնային հարաբերությունների, վստահության դաշտի կայունացմանը և ամրապնդմանը, ինչպես նաև հնարավորություն կստեղծի ընկերական կապերի հաստատմանը։ Վահան Դավոյան Բուլինգի կանխարգելում և հաղթահարում Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/299638 2024-10-30T00:00:00Z 2024-10-31T14:08:48Z "In Providence’s South Side neighborhood, there is a lack of high-quality green spaces available to children and families which results in disproportionate environmental risks and health impacts in the community." Autumn Jencks—a 2024-25 Terracorps service member for the Audubon Society of Rhode Island—is working in collaboration with the South Side Boys and Girls Club to provide environment-focused education and environmental infrastructure to urban neighborhoods of Providence. Awesome Foundation's gift will support the purchase of native plant seeds, nutrient-rich potting soil, and rich topsoil to reinvigorate the existing, depleted soil. Also, chicken wire to build germination containers for the seedlings. The Boys and Girls Club seeks to purchase shovels, rakes, a wheelbarrow, and bug nets to encourage curiosity around bugs. "This project will serve not only the 3,500 kids that spend their time at the South Side Boys and Girls club but also their families and neighbors. This space is only a small project within the greater movement to generate accessible and beautiful urban spaces to every community in Providence." Autumn Jencks South Side Providence Meadow United States Rhode Island https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/rhodeisland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/303184 2024-10-30T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T16:30:57Z This program supports returning citizens leaving the Centre county Correctional Facility (CCCF). Often times they leave jail with almost nothing, specifically lacking a cell phone and other technology that will helps them to communicate with family and support systems as well as apply for jobs. Providing returning citizens with cell phones and/or laptops also improves their chances of success post incarceration and enables them to fully participate in modern society, where you really need to have a smart phone or a laptop and access to the internet in order to engage in the world. Our current reentry programming offers a weekly support group for women as well as a monthly career skills and reentry class co-taught by myself and Keith Mernin from PA CareerLink. This programming was originally supported by a PCCD grant that ended in June of 2024. The Awesome Grant would enable us to continue to provide retuning citizens with the technology they need to succeed on the outside. In addition to the reentry programming we offer pre-release, I would like to add a post-release support group to the CACJ’s programming. I think that this programming would be most successful if it was made virtual as most of our clients are not remaining in Centre county post-release. Keith and I have built rapport with our clients over a number of months and in some cases longer, and being able to “stay with them” post-release could be helpful to them and also helpful for us as practitioners in order to hone our programming and track progress, which is often a challenge after our clients are released. A post-release support group could also allow guest speakers attend from human services agencies from the counties where the clients reside, helping to ensure wrap-around services. Elizabeth Siegelman Reentry Technology Project United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297283 2024-10-30T00:00:00Z 2025-02-04T23:15:26Z The Disabled Creatives Alliance aims to curate creative spaces for adults with disabilities to participate in art workshops with a focus in improving temporary wellbeing and positively shifting self-perception of participant’s disabilities. The aim of the study is to evaluate potential stress reduction and wellbeing improvement qualities in a museum setting. The study also will evaluate the museum as a location for positive social connection and community wellbeing in a finalized paper through participant self-reported and observational qualitative data. The main objective is to assess effectiveness of participatory art workshops for adults with disabilities in different countries and platforms, which will be measured through surveys. Other objectives include determining whether participants see improved wellbeing and/or positive disability perception changes and evaluating the effectiveness of Disabled Creates Alliance as a community hub for disabled adults to improve wellbeing, which will be measured through self-reported data and surveys. A pilot prompt called Garden of Self was created to be used globally online and in person workshops. This project will take form in a collage project, a written word project, and other visual art modalities. These artworks, after given consent by participants, will be added to the website and showcase their work in a collaborative community 'garden.' The website will add artist names and profiles, and allow space for disabled artists to share their websites and Etsy shops etc. The website will also include finalized data and serve as an open space for collaboration with other organizations, particularly in the Arts in Medicine field. Personally, I will be doing several workshops in the Gainesville area and hope to set up quarterly projects for the disabled community in Gainesville. I currently have a planned workshop with Grow Hub, the DRC at UF, and hope to have one at the AClibrary system. Jennifer McCloskey Disabled Creatives Alliance, Garden of Self http://disabledcreativesalliance.org United States Gainesville, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/gainesville tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/298366 2024-10-29T00:00:00Z 2024-10-30T01:17:30Z Musical improvisation is a ubiquitous aspect of nearly all musical cultures. It is a practice that binds together even the most disparate forms of musical expression. Through a series of free public concerts across Chicago, the grandeur of the pipe organ will be shared with collaborating musical guests from a variety of musical backgrounds—jazz improvisers, electronic musicians, classical performers, and a host of other talented musicians. In Chicago, hearing a pipe organ often means going to church. While this is a magnificent place to witness the incredible sound of the organ, it isn't an environment that everyone feels drawn to. To appreciate the incredible sound of the pipe organ often means being familiar with it in religious and concert settings—something that can often be inaccessible to those who did not grow up in a religious setting or for those who cannot afford to attend classical music shows. Through this program, we hope to create a space where audiences can perhaps hear the organ for the first time, taking in the incredible beauty of Chicago's religious spaces and the pipe organs installed within, but with a more casual social environment that is welcoming to all people. We hope to feature performers to play improvised music alongside the pipe organ, so that a variety of forms of musical expression can emerge in new and exciting ways beyond sacred music and classical music. This series will build on the years of expertise that the non-profit organization Vital Organ Project has offered to audiences across the Midwest—showing how beautiful, innovative, and exciting the pipe organ is as a musical instrument. We hope to build new audiences for the pipe organ in the 21st century and to create music with other improvising musicians in Chicago who have very seldomly gotten the chance to play alongside a pipe organ. Jack Langdon Improvised Music for Pipe Organ in Chicago https://www.vitalorganproject.com United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297943 2024-10-28T00:00:00Z 2024-10-29T01:34:58Z Last October, the interns of the Sasha Bruce Landscape Training Program and volunteers planted thousands of tulip bulbs on the Sasha Bruce House property at 1022 Maryland Avenue NE during an event called Tulipalooza!. In addition to planting bulbs, volunteers carved pumpkins and supported the mission of Sasha Bruce Youthwork to end youth homelessness. In April 2024, Tulipalooza! The Blooming saw volunteers return to celebrate the spectacular display they created as well as install fresh mulch and paint Love Rocks. Tulipalooza! was so well received that volunteers have asked to once again participate in the dual events. Tulipalooza REDUX has been scheduled for Saturday, November 2. Jim Guckert Tulipalooza REDUX https://guerrillagardenersdc.org/sasha-bruce#63cee8bd-01d2-43b4-b59f-1538a0ff418a United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/295002 2024-10-24T00:00:00Z 2024-10-25T00:47:13Z As a lifelong resident and passionate supporter of all things Gloucester, it has always been a dream of mine to have a Grand Banks Dory of my own to take on Adventures up and down the Coast, celebrating the Grand Banks Dory Trawling Fishery and sharing the character, integrity and constitution that made Gloucester Fishermen 'the Finest Kind"! The dory will be built this Winter and completed by Spring when it will be outfitted and run through a series of trials in preparation for a 530-mile Adventure to Lunenburg, NS, Gloucester's Maritime sister port, departing after the 4th of July from Maritime Gloucester. The dory will be named the "Heart o' Gloucester" (a play on the term "Out o' Gloucester") because no boat or rower more clearly define everything that Gloucester stands for. Jim Tarantino "Heart o" Gloucester" http://none United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296822 2024-10-23T00:00:00Z 2024-10-24T10:55:12Z My name is Jaiden, a lifelong resident of Georgetown and a proud member of Troop 51 in Scouting America. I am currently working toward the rank of Eagle which requires completing a meaningful community service project. For my project, I have chosen to create a historical walking tour around Georgetown to highlight the events and landmarks that have shaped our town’s rich history. The goal of this project is to create a deeper appreciation for our local history, while encouraging fitness and being outdoors by creating a walking trail through town. The walking tour will include a detailed map, which will be printed for residents and featured on the Town’s website. A sample of the walking trail map is attached. As part of the project, I will place signs at several of the historical sites around Georgetown. Each sign will serve as a marker, providing a brief description of the site’s historical significance. Attached is a generic layout of the sign, which includes a QR code. Scanning this QR code will lead visitors to a video where a different Scout narrates the history of the site, offering insights into related events or interesting facts. The videos and site information will also be hosted on the Town’s website, making the tour accessible online. This project has received overwhelming support from key community organizations, including the Georgetown Historical Commission, Georgetown Historical Society, Georgetown High School History Department, Scouting America, and members of Town Hall. I have collaborated with representatives from each of these groups to identify the list of historical sites and ensure the tour fully reflects our town’s unique heritage. There are many people and organizations in town that are rooting for the success of this project with the common goal that our community can uncover and celebrate the hidden gems of Georgetown's history. Jaiden Shah Georgetown History Trail United States Georgetown, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/georgetown tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296032 2024-10-23T00:00:00Z 2024-10-24T10:55:25Z Georgetown Ski Club has been a long standing tradition within the town. It's been going for over 20 years. This is really a stand alone social club as it doesn't fit into any other group or organizations parameters. Ski club is open to anyone between 3rd and 12th grade living in Georgetown, generating and supporting interest in a life long full family winter activity. As a town, we generally lack these types of options for our youth. My hope is that getting this up and running as a stand alone social club, it will not only secure the future of this club, but maybe serve as an inspiration for others to do the same with other activities. We typically have well over 100 kids each season. It is the largest club/asset this town has to offer and I think the longest running one. If it was tied to Parks and Rec then it would be subject to having the town fund an employee to run it and that position can (and likely would be) cut killing the ski club. It used to be managed by the PTA, but the MA PTA said it did not fit the mission and could no longer by supported that way. Last year, the board of the Friends of GYCC were asked to help. I joined that board to ensure Ski Club continued as I had been helping the PTA with it. We ran it as a GYCC program, sponsored by The Friends of GYCC. This year, with no brick and mortar GYCC, it makes sense for the Ski Club to become an independent social club. I'm hoping to get sponsorship from Awesome Georgetown in addition to the continued support from the Friends of GYCC. It will essentially operate as a net zero club, the amount charged to each child to ski will be the same that is set by Ski Bradford. If any additional amounts are collected it will be transparent as to what they are for and optional. For example - we try to provide snacks on the last week of club. I could charge $10 per person and use that money on the last week, but it would be labels as end of season snacks, not a mark up of the lift ticket. Laura Cole Georgetown Ski and Board Club United States Georgetown, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/georgetown tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/287604 2024-10-23T00:00:00Z 2025-01-27T20:41:29Z The Rise Up Teen Summit is more than just an event—it’s a movement, a powerful catalyst for change created by a teenager with a vision to empower her peers and transform communities. Founded by London Miller, a 14-year-old who has faced the challenges of living with ADHD and the pain of not being accepted by others, the summit is a testament to her resilience and determination to make a difference. London’s personal struggles inspired her to create a space where other teens could find their voice, share their experiences, and join forces to address the issues that matter most to them. Held every three months, the Rise Up Teen Summit provides a safe haven where teens can break free from the chains of silence and fear, speaking openly about the challenges they face and the dreams they dare to pursue. Each summit tackles a critical theme that resonates deeply with the experiences of today’s youth. From building supportive relationships to cultivating leadership, confronting bullying, and the upcoming focus on boundaries, the summit doesn’t just talk about change—it demands it. This time, we’re not just setting personal boundaries; we’re erasing the territorial lines that divide our communities and fuel violence. We’re calling on teens from every neighborhood to rise above the divisions that have kept them apart for too long. Together, we will dismantle the walls of misunderstanding and hostility, replacing them with bridges of trust, empathy, and solidarity. Through powerful keynote speeches, raw and real panel discussions, and hands-on workshops, the Rise Up Teen Summit pushes teens to confront their fears, embrace their strengths, and unite in a shared vision of peace and progress. This is where the seeds of change are planted—where young voices are not just heard but amplified, and where the bonds forged can reshape the future of entire communities. The Rise Up Teen Summit is more than a gathering; it’s a revolution led by the youth, for the youth. Sonya Miller Rise Up Teen Summit http://LondonAid.org United States Miami, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/miami tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/292224 2024-10-22T00:00:00Z 2025-04-15T02:10:48Z Our awesome project is a funny podcast about dinosaurs (and other fossil things). Weird & Dead is a comedic science podcast where two gossipy paleontologists, Amy Atwater and Meaghan Wetherell, dish on the most bizarre, embarrassing, and fascinating stories from evolution’s past. From fossilized dinosaur butts (and what's found inside of them) to the drama behind naming new species, we dive deep into paleontology with a playful and irreverent tone. Our podcast brings paleontology to an audience of adults who love science but aren’t necessarily scientists themselves. Our reviews refer to us as "unhinged", "sophomoric", and "incredible", and all of those are accurate. We think science should be fun, dinosaurs are fundamentally ridiculous, and that fossils should make you giggle as well as contemplate the incredible resilience of life. The podcast has already gained a loyal following but to reach its full potential, we need better equipment and the chance to film together in person. Since Amy is based in rural Colorado and Meaghan in nowheresville Washington and neither of us have anything resembling good internet, remote recordings can be problematic. A lot of our jokes would be funnier without lag, and editing would be easier to boot. Also, microphones whose structural integrity relied less on tape and zip ties would be good. Weird & Dead premiered in January 2024 and we are currently releasing season 2. Our episodes currently get around 200 listens on their premiere day across our different platforms and we are regularly charting on different podcast apps in the Earth Science category. With improved equipment and more in-person recordings, we can elevate the show’s production quality, continue building a larger audience, and create more engaging content. Meaghan Wetherell and Amy Atwater Weird & Dead Podcast Improvements http://weirdanddead.com United States Seattle, WA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/seattle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297528 2024-10-21T00:00:00Z 2024-12-16T20:50:55Z Blessings for Bocsy is a kindness movement focused on spreading compassion and raising awareness about mental health, with a special focus on engaging young people. The project was inspired by and honors the memory of David Bocsy, who tragically lost his battle with mental illness. The project encourages people to perform small acts of kindness that can ripple out and make a lasting impact in their communities. At the heart of the project are custom keychains, each marked with a unique hashtag and serial number. When a person receives a keychain, they are encouraged to perform an act of kindness, log their story online using the hashtag, and pass the keychain along. This allows tracking of each keychain’s journey as it travels through schools and communities, showing how far one act of kindness can spread. Blessings for Bocsy has plans to partner with schools to distribute keychains to students and engage them in conversations about kindness, mental health, and community support. These keychains serve as tools to inspire students to take action and spread positivity, while also raising awareness about the importance of mental health. Bonnie Moore Blessings for Bocsy http://BlessingsForBocsy.com United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/298612 2024-10-17T00:00:00Z 2024-10-18T01:40:38Z October’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Marianne Ariganello to support pumpkin rescue in the days after Halloween. A project of the [Ottawa South Eco Action Network] (https://www.osean.org/) (OSEAN), [Pumpkins for the Planet] (https://www.osean.org/pumpkins-for-the-planet) collects and rescues carved and intact pumpkins from across Ottawa South in early November. “With the help of a lot of wonderful volunteers and local companies,” explains Marianne, “we donate carved pumpkins to local farms – where they are given as feed to animals – and intact pumpkins to local groups tackling food insecurity – where they become part of nutritious meals for clients.” “Neighbours can choose to drop off pumpkins at their closest local collection spots on volunteers’ driveways or front yards, or drop off pumpkins at our central ‘Pumpkin Alley’ where they can be admired one last time,” she continues. Last year, Pumpkins for the Planet re-homed more than 1,900 carved pumpkins to nine local farms, and rescued more than 330 intact pumpkins and distributed them to eight food organizations. There were 17 collection sites across three city wards, and more than 20 volunteers. Want to volunteer, or own a business with a truck or trailer that can help transport pumpkins? You can connect with Marianne through [OSEAN’s website] (https://www.osean.org/pumpkins-for-the-planet). Marianne is a scientist, mother, and environmental advocate. Marianne Ariganello Pumpkins for the Planet https://www.osean.org/pumpkins-for-the-planet Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297482 2024-10-17T00:00:00Z 2024-10-18T13:45:18Z In just three short years, our project has made a remarkable impact on our local community, supporting both children and businesses. Our initiative brings joy to children on Christmas morning, creating unforgettable memories and smiles. People are thrilled to hear that we are bolstering the local economy by involving children and businesses in our efforts. Our project is inclusive and community-driven. Anyone can participate by donating their empties or becoming a drop-off location. The boys were astonished to discover that dimes can be hidden in cans and bottles, turning what was destined for landfills into Christmas morning smiles. This project makes you say “wow” as you witness the incredible vision and determination of two autistic children who saw an opportunity to make a difference. With 100% of the $1000 grant, we will be able to purchase even more presents for children in our community, ensuring that the joy continues to spread. This funding will directly translate into more smiles and happiness for children who might otherwise go without during the holiday season. Our project will endure as long as people keep hydrating. This is our third annual donation year, and we are committed to making each year better than the last. Winning this grant will help us continue to support our local economy and bring happiness to children during the holiday season. The community’s involvement and enthusiasm have been overwhelming, and we are excited to see how much more we can achieve together. By awarding us this grant, you are not just supporting a project; you are investing in a community-driven initiative that transforms recyclables into joy and hope for children. Together, we can make every Christmas morning a little brighter and every child’s smile a little wider! Sarah Venus Venus Family Toy Box http://www.facebook.com/venusfamilytoybox Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294175 2024-10-17T00:00:00Z 2024-10-18T17:26:26Z We are trying to help better create a sense of inclusion and equity at our school, especially for our classified English Learners and their families. To do this, we need to have more funds for, culturally relevant curriculum and events, as well as to create educational and social opportunities for the families of our students. Offering families a bigger role in their child's educational experience is vital to the academic and social emotional success of the student, but if families don't necessarily feel comfortable because of cultural, language or other barriers they tend not to attend school activities. So our goal this year is to create a more inclusive space, where we target families that have previously been in the background. We will be holding monthly meetings such as the ELAC (English Learner Advisory Council) and other opportunities to connect, but we will be including food which always helps bring people together. In this case, we will offer pan dulce and Cafecito (Mexican sweet bread and coffee.) Culturally, Pan Dulce and Cafecito represents comradery, a time to get together with close friends and family, share about life, and feel at home. It doesn't seem like much, and yet food brings people together in any culture. The issue is that minimal funds in public school districts doesn't always cover food for meetings and gatherings. So any extra money received would be so helpful in our endeavors to bring people together for the health and wellbeing of our students. To better create a sense community where all families have a voice and their voice is heard. Monica Sunzeri Cafecito con Pan United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294332 2024-10-16T00:00:00Z 2024-10-29T17:37:09Z We would like to coordinate a community event for the Class of 2025 (seniors) and the Class of 2037 (kindergarten) during the week of IHS Homecoming. We are looking to establish a connection between the two grade levels as a way to promote kindness across the community. We have seen a few variations of this on YouTube and TikTok, and we have a plan to bring it here to Ipswich. Our idea is simple, have the current kindergarten classes of both Doyon and Winthrop, meet with the current Senior Class of IHS. This would happen on the turf field at Jack Welch Stadium, prior to an event during IHS homecoming/spirit week, October 21-25. We will work with the school administration to coordinate. We want to have the kids on each end of the field, walk toward the middle and take a big group photo. The seniors could give the kindergarteners something(a note, sticker, etc.) to signify passing along school spirit and a sense of belonging to the school community. Our hope is through community donations we could get t-shirts for the students and make this a tradition for all, knowing they are part of something bigger, a community that cares for them and they are proud of. We know we have support from other parents, now we want to ask for yours. Sarah Marsella/MelMcFayden Senior/kindergarten walk together project United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297058 2024-10-15T00:00:00Z 2024-10-17T18:49:37Z One of our board members from the Pride Collective and Community Center recently met with Fargo’s Downtown Engagement Center (DEC), an organization that helps homeless people in Fargo access to support systems and find housing, to see how we could collaborate. The DEC mentioned that one of their current needs is assistance putting together welcome baskets for queer and transgender people who have moved into housing. Data and research show that when newly-housed people are able to find community, especially a community that holds a shared identity, they are more likely to stay housed. The Pride Collective wants to work with the Downtown Engagement Center to assist newly housed people in staying in their housing, and we want them to know that the Pride Collective is available as a community resource for them. The DEC and the Pride Collective will be in communication about when a welcome basket is needed for a queer and/or transgender person. Both of our organizations focus holistically on each person that utilizes our services, so each basket will be different to ensure that each person’s unique needs are met. While some basics will be included in every basket, such as literature for local resources, some items will be specialized. Some examples of these specialized items could include: -Providing a transgender man with a chest binder -Providing a transgender woman with makeup -Providing a person with appropriately-sized clothing that matches their gender expression Once put together, the Pride Collective will inform the Downtown Engagement Center that the basket is ready and will arrange a drop off time. Our goals from this project are to increase engagement between newly-housed people and the Pride Collective, strengthen our partnership with the DEC, and help newly-housed people find a community that will support them and their unique needs. By funding this project, the Awesome Foundation will be helping us achieve all of these goals. Alex Milton New Housing Welcome Baskets United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/277956 2024-10-15T00:00:00Z 2024-11-08T15:05:20Z Nossos projetos são realizados na Comunidade Vila Nova Cachoerinha na Regional Noroeste de Belo Horizonte. Uma área com grande adensamento urbano de Alta vulnerabilidade socioeconômica e com uma baixa articulação social. Hoje trabalhamos com 50 crianças e adolescente na faixa etária de 05 a 14 anos, todas moradoras das vilas Nova Cachoeirinha. Segundo dados do Censo do IBGE de 2020 (último disponível), a população residente no local, de baixa renda, ou seja, que recebe até ½ salário mínimo, é de mais de 30%. O nível de renda dificulta o direcionamento das famílias para as atividades que possam acolher e contribuir com o desenvolvimento das crianças, além do que é oferecido nas escolas. Também, a região carece de espaços e atividades de lazer que possam ser usados pelas famílias e suas crianças de forma gratuita, excetuando a interação que acontece nas ruas e becos da vila. Neste contexto, surgiu a proposta do projeto Favela em Ação para oferecer atividade de futebol contribuindo para que as crianças não fiquem nas ruas ou restritas aos seus espaços familiares e com pouca interação social. LEONARDO FERNANDES PROJETOS FAVELA EM AÇÃO NOVA CACHOERINHA Brazil Grande Belo Horizonte https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/rmbh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294956 2024-10-14T00:00:00Z 2024-10-14T23:39:58Z College Park Gallery is proud to present "Trigger Warning," a powerful solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Corie Mattie, also known as the LA Hope Dealer. The exhibition opens on October 12th from 6-9 pm, coinciding with Pride Week in Orlando, and will run through November 17, 2024. "Trigger Warning" is a bold and unapologetic exploration of the intersecting tensions between freedom, identity, and the growing threats to individual rights in America. Through her provocative and thought-provoking work, Mattie confronts the paradoxes within a society that publicly promotes freedom while simultaneously undermining it through restrictive laws and policies. Using the same stencils she deployed across Florida during the height of book bans and queer rights restrictions, Mattie reclaims and recontextualizes these symbols of resistance. The "gay guns" featured in this collection are not merely provocative images but serve as biting social commentary. They underscore the irony of a culture that fears a rainbow more than an assault rifle, challenging viewers to reflect on what is deemed dangerous and what is not. Flynn N Dobbs "Trigger Warning" by LA Hope Dealer Corie Mattie https://www.lahopedealer.com United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/289012 2024-10-14T00:00:00Z 2024-10-08T23:18:39Z The Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society is a volunteer organization who operates two historical properties in Darlington WI, as museums and archives, all free and open to the public. The organization also displays original works of local artists, publishes a quarterly newsletter, and facilitates public programming. Funds received from the Driftless Awesome Foundation will contribute to the historical society’s digital archive initiative, ensuring historical records, documents, and photos are stored and safely archived for future generations of Driftless residents. Particularly resonate with our team was the very apparent connection and commitment to the Driftless region, as noted in the application: “Our work preserves the history of the region including native Americans, early pioneers, miners, farmers, and fur traders. Embracing and preserving the special qualities of the Driftless is at the very heart of our mission.” We are thrilled to award our first micro grant to the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society. Barbara L. Nemec Digital Archives, Lafayette Co Historical Society http://lafayettecohistoricalandgenealogy.com United States Driftless Region (currently on hiatus) (Неактивен) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/driftless tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/298570 2024-10-13T00:00:00Z 2024-10-13T21:24:03Z Downtown Holiday Extravaganza: This project aims to create a vibrant series of free community events the first three weekends in December, that brings people together downtown, promotes local businesses, and fosters a sense of community spirit in Newburgh. Events will be held over three weekends, each featuring unique activities by different small businesses, public markets, and entertainment options. Michele Basch Downtown Holiday Extravaganza United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/300140 2024-10-10T00:00:00Z 2024-10-13T09:36:09Z Pitch up Geelong will highlight three worthy organisations pitching for your funds. The awardee for our latest event was ""THREAD TOGETHER" Pete Johnston Pitch Up Geelong Australia Geelong https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/geelong tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/289979 2024-10-10T00:00:00Z 2024-11-04T21:13:39Z AwesomeStPaul is pleased to honor the Metro School for Deaf with our October 2024 grant. According to their application the Metro School for Deaf will purchase The Acts ❤️f Kindness Series Books and Coloring books for Elementary students. The Coloring books feature ASL 26 Letter Alphabet pages. The books feature Dr.Fingers, The Fingerspelling Hermit Crab , Chelsey The Courageous Sign Language Chicken and Eve, The Fingerspelling Bumblebee 🐝. You Tube Videos are designed to teach ASL Alphabet Apple App Game online courses with Sign Language 🤟 Characters. October is Anti-bullying Month We would love to gift our students The Acts ❤️f Kindness Books and Coloring Books . Folkmanis puppets too! Matt Meindhardt The Acts ❤️f Kindness Series United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294368 2024-10-09T00:00:00Z 2024-10-16T14:12:55Z Fluttering Wheels is a new disability-led service organization based on disability justice principles in Lansing, MI. We believe healthcare is a human right. The central program is a free lending library of health equipment for community members. An Awesome Foundation Grant will help us expand this program. We are currently seeking equipment donation and will begin to promote loans and repair in winter 2025. We currently provide these services out of our home, completely free, on a case by case basis as capacity and stock allows. Since access to transportation is a major barrier for people with disabilities, we provide pick-up services and delivery of loans. In the coming year, we will begin to offer free repair and maintenance education for mobility aids, a large-donation match service to facilitate donations of specialized equipment such as hospital beds, hoyer lifts, and power wheelchairs, and inclusive emergency planning advocacy and education. Fluttering Wheels is the only non-faith based, fully inclusive and welcoming loan closet in the community as well as the only one offering pick-up, delivery. and repair. As a disability-led organization we are experts on the issues affecting disability communities, and the gaps in services and supports. Our current and future programming reflects this. Chloe Crawford Fluttering Wheels http://flutteringwheels.org United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296305 2024-10-09T00:00:00Z 2024-10-12T00:02:04Z I am a member of RAWtools, which has 'shops' in Asheville, NC, Philadelphia, PA, Buffalo, NY, and its main shop in Colorado Springs, CO. RAWtools is a cooperative movement aimed at turning "swords into plowshares" or "guns to gardens". We lose more than 100 people a day to gun violence in the United States, it’s becoming more and more clear that guns have no place in conflict resolution. My project is to start a mini-coop of RAWtools in Marin/San Francisco Counties of California, whereby people would donate their unwanted guns and receive a garden tool, perhaps made from other disabled guns. This program would, with the cooperation of local police, accept weapons with no questions and disable these surrendered weapons according to ATF guidelines. The project would also include the forging of disabled weapons, turning them into small shovels, hand rakes, etc. This would., in part, be done at public non-religious events where people, preferably those who have been affected by gun violence, could hammer these disabled weapons, slowly turning them into gardening tools. These events could be in a local community center, church parking lot, school parking lot, etc. Hopefully, I could get a volunteer to handle, or at least, help with the logistics. If even one gun is taken off the streets, this would make the community more "awesome". sterling sam Guns to Gardens Safe Surrender United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/274589 2024-10-08T00:00:00Z 2024-11-11T22:12:10Z Project Overview: The San Jose Mobile Ceramics Station aims to bring interactive ceramics and pottery experiences to community events, fairs, and festivals in San Jose. Unlike typical booths that only demonstrate or sell pottery, our mobile station will allow participants to engage hands-on with clay, spin the pottery wheel, and create their own pieces to take home. This project will foster creativity, provide a unique artistic outlet, and enhance community engagement at local events. Who Will Benefit: The primary beneficiaries will be the residents of San Jose attending community events, including children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. The project will provide an inclusive and interactive art experience that is often missing at local events. Project Goals: Impact: Offer a hands-on ceramics experience that will enhance the cultural and creative life of the San Jose community. Reach: Engage a broad audience by setting up at various popular community events and festivals. Staying Power: Build a sustainable mobile ceramics station that can continue to operate beyond the initial grant period. Accessibility: Provide a free or low-cost art experience to ensure participation from all socio-economic backgrounds. Amanda Ross The San Jose Mobile Ceramics Station United States San Jose, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sanjose tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294379 2024-10-07T00:00:00Z 2024-10-07T13:49:00Z Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is the deadliest wildlife pathogen ever recorded, contributing to the decline of over 500 and the extinction of at least 90 species. Earlier this year, Anthony Waddle and his colleagues published a paper detailing how his inexpensive “frog saunas” allow frogs to clear infection in Australia. This also provided frogs with resistance to future infections. I’m interested in adapting these shelters to in the cloud forest of Cusuco National Park, Honduras (CNP) with 2 species in the Plectrohyla genus. By supporting the efficacy of frog saunas in a cloud forest, they could be implemented in other cloud forests, which represent one of the most important yet threatened ecosystem types for endangered amphibians. If successful, I plan to train and employ local people to build and deploy saunas around the park, providing socio-economic benefits to conservation rather than illegal logging. Whitney Adam Frog Saunas Spread Beyond Australia Worldwide Conservation and Climate https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/conservationandclimate tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/291098 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-03T00:49:27Z Lomandra School, the largest Specialist Support School (SSP) in New South Wales, serves students with severe behavioural challenges, trauma backgrounds, and complex mental health conditions, from Years 5 to 12. Located in Campbelltown, Lomandra is committed to a trauma-informed approach to education, understanding the profound impact of trauma and socio-economic hardship on our students and their families. Our students often come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, facing limited opportunities and generational poverty. Many have never experienced simple joys, such as getting an ice cream from an ice cream van. At Lomandra, we believe education extends beyond academics; it's about preparing students for life. We address the holistic needs of our students, helping them develop practical skills, emotional intelligence, and social responsibility. Through programs focused on healthy lifestyles, self-regulation, and adapted sports, we empower our students to build resilience and face the challenges of the world. To celebrate our students' achievements and resilience, we want to make our end-of-year presentation special. For many of our students, having an ice cream from a van would be a first-time experience and a meaningful way to honour their hard work and dedication throughout the year. By bringing an ice cream truck to this event, we aim to provide more than just a treat; it will be a celebration of their perseverance and a joyful occasion for students and their families. This small gesture will recognise their efforts and create a lasting positive memory, reinforcing the value of their commitment to school. Our idea will make the city of Sydney more awesome by helping at-risk youth reach their full potential. By keeping high-risk students engaged in school through positive experiences like our sports program and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, we reduce the likelihood of them roaming the streets, which in turn decreases crime and critical incidents in the community. These initiatives provide a safe, supportive environment where students can build resilience, learn valuable life skills, and enjoy enriching experiences they might otherwise miss. By investing in these students, we not only improve their futures but also contribute to a safer, more vibrant city for everyone. Danielle Courtney Ice cream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream https://www.facebook.com/LomandraSchool1 Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297088 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-03T00:51:43Z The Parramatta Chapter of Cycling Without Age takes passengers along the cycle path beside the beautiful Parramatta River at Silverwater NSW. Our vision is for older adults and people with a disability to enjoy life, feel involved in their community and connected to the environment. We provide free rides on trishaw e-bikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists. The interaction of passengers, volunteers and their community promotes inclusivity, reduces isolation and helps to make our passengers feel valued. Nothing beats their smiles coming back from a ride with the “wind in their hair”, rosy cheeks and full of shared stories. Our 'bike' routes provide a clear public vision of community inclusiveness. The sight of our 'bikes' along the pathways not only raises awareness and visibility for older people and people with disability, it also engages community members. Smiles, waves, and conversations help improve mental health and wellbeing, strengthen connections, and build more inclusive communities. When we have monthly rides we provide morning tea for the passengers waiting for their turn on the Trishaw. We need to recruit more volunteers to cover rotation of volunteers. We also have ongoing costs for maintenance to ensure the Trishaw rides are safe for our passengers. Cycling Without Age is a global community service connecting elderly people and those less-abled with their community and the outdoors by giving them free rides on trishaw e-bikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists. Cycling Without Age Australia, Inc (CWAA) is a registered charity established to support and empower communities to make this happen throughout Australia. We believe the elderly (and those with mobility challenges) have the right to be visible and active in our society. By allowing our passengers to enjoy improved quality of life; joy connecting and engaging with others, their community, and the environment by: - partaking in an activity like cycling that would otherwise not be possible - enjoying fresh air, sunshine, nature and views - having a service that is accessible, inclusive, unique, fun and totally AWESOME! Kerrie Barker Feeling the Wind in Their Hair https://cyclingwithoutage.org.au/2021/10/05/parramatta-chapter/ Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297326 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-03T00:53:32Z Our awesome project is the visual arts program at Studio ARTES, for which we would use the grant to purchase new paint. This program empowers our members to explore various art-making techniques and mediums, fostering creativity. Each project is driven by individual interests, with trained facilitators available to offer guidance and support for independent or collaborative work. Artists in our visual arts program have regular opportunities to participate in exhibitions and events. In addition to local and digital showcases hosted by Studio ARTES, we also facilitate exciting collaborative opportunities for global exposure. Extension opportunities are available for those eager to advance their art practice. Founded in 2000 and proudly based in Sydney, Australia, Studio ARTES is a non for profit that has been lighting up lives across New South Wales by supporting over 250 adults with disabilities. Our doors are open to individuals aged 17 and up with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, physical disabilities, Down syndrome, and more. We provide a supportive space for our members to explore visual arts, performing arts, and life skills programs. Our visual arts programs are offered at our Hornsby and Inner West studios, as well as through our online platform. Each week, we run over 28 different programs, each lasting 10 weeks and accommodating up to 10 artists. However, we have very limited art supplies. Our small budget means many supplies are donated, often of low quality, and we can’t always provide the colors our artists desire. This grant would make a significant difference! A brand-new set of paints for our two studios will inspire both our artists and facilitators at Studio ARTES. We have many talented artists, and being able to mentor them with new paints and canvases will be invaluable for their development. Our dedicated team works hard to enter artists in competitions and organize exhibitions, and with more art supplies, we can enhance the quality of their work, making a significant impact on their careers. We want to see our artists succeed in what they love! Additionally, we aim to increase the representation of people with disabilities in Sydney’s art scene. This grant would help us focus on ways to showcase their work to the public, highlighting the vibrant diversity of our city. Bexie Neeley Studio Artes Visual Art Program: Art Supplies https://www.studioartes.org.au/visual-arts Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/280990 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-05T07:52:43Z Լինելով Արագածոտնի մարզի Զարինջա գյուղից,որտեղ շատ աղջիկներ և կանայք չունեն հնարավորություն մասնագիտություն ձեռք բերելու և իրենց ընտանիքի կարիքները բավարարելու հնարավորություն չունեն,նրանց հիմնական զբաղմունքը անասնապահությունն է։ Ունեմ ծրագիր սկսելու շյուղագործության, ասեղնագործության, հելյու ագործության, կար ու ձևի,ինչպես նաև վնասված հագուստների վերականգնման դասընթացներ։Դասընթացի ընթացքում կունենանք թաղիքագործության, կարպետագործության մաստեռ կլաստեր ,որոնք իրականացնելու համար կհրավիրենք համապատասխան մասնագետներ։Դասընթացի ընթացքում կսովորեն նաև տեքստիլիարտադրական թափոններից խաղալիքների պատրաստում։ Նախագիծն կունենա իր ֆեյսբուքյան էջը, որտեղ ցույց կտանք մեր կատարած աշխատանքները։Քանի որ բնակչության մեծ մասը վճարունակ չէ,դասընթացները կանցկացվեն անվճար բոլոր ցանկացողների համար։Որոշակի ժամանակ անց կունենանք ցուցահանդեսներ , որտեղ դասընթացի մասնակիցները կունենան հնարավորություն ցույց տալու իրենց սովորած և արդեն պատրաստի աշխատանքները ,և գյուղում և գյուղից դուրս։ Ծրագիրը ունի ոչ միայն սոցիալական զարգացման ուղղվածություն,այլև նաև բնապահպանական հիմնական նպատակ թափոնների վերամշակման և բնության պահպանման համար։ Դասընթացի ավարտից հետո լավագույները կունենան հմտություններ կարի մեքենաներից օգտվելու,իրենց առօրյա կարիքների բավարարման համար,կբարձրանա կանանց և աղջիկների դերը համայնքում,քանի որ իրենք կսկսեն աշխատել և կունենա գումար սեփական կարիքների բավարարման համար։ Քանի որ ես չունեմ աշխատողներ իմ արհեստանոցում և ունեմ աշխատողների կարիք դասընթացի ավարտից հետո լավագույները կստանան աշխատանքի հրավեր իմ կողմից։ Անուշ Մխիթարյան ""A-Nush Textile ""Արվեստի Կենտրոն https://www.facebook.com/share/c3b71Z3iVqN4ry5q/?mibextid=qi2Omg Armenia Nature Armenia https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/naturearmenia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/254689 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-05T08:05:09Z Իմ նախագծի նպատակը կայանում է նրանում ,որ կարողանալով օգտագործել տեխնիկական աղբը ստանալ տանը օգտագործվող պետքական իրեր ,որոնք քիչ էներգիատար են և ստեղծված են սեփական գեղագիտական ճաշակով և յուրօրինակ են ։ Իմ աշակերտների հետ ստեղծել ենք տարբեր լուսամփոփներ,որտեղ իմ սաները հասկացել են, որ պարտադիր չէ ինչոր բան սարքելու համար շտապել խանութ և նրանց սովորացրել եմ հետևյալ քայլերը 1․ նախագծել ինչ սարք ես ուզում սարքել 2․ էսքիզ անել 3․ինչ դետալներ են օգտագործվում 4․ նայել տանը արդեն իսկ չօգտագործված իրերը ՝ ցուցակը համալրելով 5․զոդման տեսակները կիրառելով և ասեղնագործության միջոցով ստանում ենք տարբեր լուսատու սարքեր սեփական ձեռքերով Արմինե Մնացականյան Մթության մեջ պատկերներ երևում են Armenia Nature Armenia https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/naturearmenia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/272017 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-20T09:38:55Z Goals: -To provide students with disabilities practical cooking skills. -To promote independence and confidence in daily living activities. -To foster social interaction and teamwork among students. -To encourage healthy eating habits and nutrition awareness. -Objectives: -Develop a curriculum tailored to the needs and abilities of students with disabilities. -Engage students in hands-on cooking activities, gradually progressing from basic to more advanced skills. -Establish partnerships with local markets to incorporate fresh, local ingredients into the program. 3. Target Population The program will serve 30 students aged 16-18 with various disabilities, including but not limited to: Physical disabilities Developmental disabilities Sensory impairments Participants will be selected based on their interest in learning culinary skills and their ability to benefit from a structured, supportive learning environment. 4. Program Activities The cooking program will include: -Weekly cooking classes. -Introduction to kitchen safety, hygiene, and equipment usage. -Hands-on cooking sessions covering basic recipes and meal planning. -Field trips to local markets to learn about ingredient sourcing and healthy food choices. -Opportunities for students to cook healthy, tasty meals for themselves. -Opportunities for students to create their own menus. Tiran Evans Support unit Cooking Program- Callaghan College Australia Newcastle https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newcastle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/293007 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z 2024-10-02T02:22:08Z The Warriors Booster club is a volunteer club that supports Huron Heights football team’s student athletes. This program allows the students to participate in athletics by providing training, camps, equipment, maintaining the sports fields and supporting the cost of transportation for away games. The football team creates an environment that welcomes and supports students. It provides opportunities that student may not have been able to achieve. The football team also supports academic success of these students. The warriors would appreciate the community support and make Newmarket proud and continue to be the judge 1 football team! Ari Snobel Warriors Football Booster Club Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/288879 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z 2024-10-25T00:41:22Z Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue (SKER) is a dedicated non-profit organisation committed to the preservation of wildlife in Southern Australia, specialising in the rehabilitation of koalas and echidnas. SKER operates a specialised wildlife veterinary clinic and runs a 24-hour free rescue service for the Fleurieu community. With more enclosures currently being built, we will have capacity to care for up to 20 adult koalas. Our koala kindy can house an additional six orphaned joeys. Project: Enhancing Koala Kindy Facilities To ensure the optimal care and well-being of the koalas under their care, SKER is seeking funding to upgrade our koala kindy facilities. The proposed project involves two key components: 1. Relocation of the Kindy: To minimise the risk of over-humanising the joeys and create a more tranquil setting for their rehabilitation, SKER is planning to relocate the kindy to an area with less foot traffic. This will allow the joeys to develop the necessary skills and behaviours for survival in the wild without undue human influence. 2. Paving the Enclosure: The existing koala enclosure at SKER is currently unpaved, making it challenging to maintain a clean and hygienic environment. Paving the enclosure will significantly improve sanitation and prevent the spread of diseases. It will also facilitate easier cleaning and disinfection procedures, reducing the risk of infections and ensuring the koalas' overall health. Installation of New Misting Systems: Koalas are highly sensitive to heat and dehydration. Misting systems provide a crucial means of cooling their environment and maintaining their hydration levels. We are unable to reuse the plumbing for our existing misting systems when the kindy is moved. By extending the water from our rehabilitation centre to the new location, we can create a more comfortable and suitable habitat for the koala joeys, especially during hot summer months. Mish Kym Simpson Koala Kindy - Southern Koala & Echidna rescue https://www.sker.org.au/ Australia Fleurieu https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/fleurieu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294316 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2025-04-13T16:51:55Z Tortoise Running Group is a new kind of running group, one that caters only for slower runners (or Tortoises, as we like to call ourselves). Our recently-launched Facebook page has just short of 100 followers from the Wirral running community, many of whom are known to us from other initiatives, such as parkrun and Wirral Social Runs (which is another project from the same leader which has been running for over 5 years, bar a covid hiatus). Many of these runners are NOT catered for by local running clubs which tend to be competitive or put pressure on members to improve and perform. The purpose of Tortoise is to allow these runners to enjoy their chosen sport in an inclusive, un-pressurised and supportive environment. Due to its nature, the group is likely to appeal predominantly to female runners, and/or to people with poor health outcomes, and we are building a team of predominantly female “mentors” to run our sessions. Many of these mentors have back-stories of hope against adversity (including several cancer survivors), and we expect them to flourish and become inspiring leaders. The project will be run by the Wirral running community, for the benefit of that community. We are not partnering with any other groups as we are keen to stand apart from local running clubs where our Tortoises often do not feel truly welcome. This is a group for people who are otherwise, in a quite literal sense, left behind. Given the likely catchment group, which may include people from poor socio-economic backgrounds, and the relatively low annual running costs, it is our intention to run the group on a free-of-charge basis. Our mentors will be volunteers and publicity will be via free channels, predominantly social media. Our typical annual running costs will be c. £100 (covering insurance, mobile SIM card and refresh of first aid kits), but we expect some initial expenditure on items of equipment and clothing. Andrew Hughes Tortoise Running Group – start-up funding https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564630783808 United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296256 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-12-05T19:27:40Z Hello Awesome Folks! We are thrilled to announce the start of the Imagination Library of San Antonio, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to increasing literacy, improving educational outcomes, and fostering a love of reading in young children across our community. As a local partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we will be bringing the nationally recognized book-gifting program to San Antonio in early 2025. San Antonio is one of the largest cities in Texas WITHOUT access to Dolly's reading program. We are trying to change that! Through this program, children from birth to age five will receive free, high-quality books directly to their homes each month, helping to establish early literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. Our initial focus will be in South Bexar County, an area historically underserved in terms of access to libraries and bookstores. We hope to address the gap in literacy resources and give every child the opportunity to build their own home library, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Our broader goals align with SA2020’s educational vision for 2030, which includes increasing kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading proficiency, and high school graduation rates. To make these goals a reality, we need to start by raising the funds necessary to mail the first books to families. EVERY DOLLAR we raise goes directly towards ordering and delivering books. A $26 donation provides one child with books for an entire year. Alexa Volpe Launch the Imagination Library of San Antonio! https://imaginationlibrarysa.org/ United States San Antonio, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/sanantonio tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/293010 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-12-02T18:28:15Z Our project, “Black Men Blooming: LA,” seeks to surprise five Black men in Los Angeles with flowers during a podcast-style interview that celebrates their stories, achievements, and contributions to their communities. Through this innovative approach, we aim to capture genuine, unfiltered reactions that highlight the power of acknowledgment and the impact of giving flowers—both literally and metaphorically. This project is valuable because it not only honors Black men in a meaningful way but also disrupts the often-limited narratives around Black masculinity by centering joy, appreciation, and personal storytelling. By turning the simple act of giving flowers into a powerful moment of recognition, we create a space where these men can be seen and celebrated in real time. Each interview will be an intimate, heartfelt conversation that not only reflects their individual journeys but also inspires listeners to reimagine how we uplift and honor Black men in our society. The podcast format allows us to reach a broad audience, amplifying these personal moments of surprise and appreciation beyond the men directly involved. It invites the community to share in these impactful experiences, fostering a sense of collective joy and connection. Our goal is to create a ripple effect—encouraging others to give flowers, whether through words, actions, or actual blooms, thus expanding the culture of gratitude and recognition. This project aligns perfectly with the Awesome Foundation’s mission to fund bold, creative, and community-centered ideas. “Flowers in Bloom: LA Edition” is not just about flowers; it’s about shifting narratives, sparking conversations, and celebrating Black men in ways that are deeply personal, unexpected, and undeniably awesome. With the $1,000 grant, we can bring this unique vision to life, covering the costs of flowers, production, and ensuring that each episode captures the essence of these unforgettable moments. Robert Washington-Vaughns Black Men Blooming: LA http://balckmenflowerproject.org United States Los Angeles, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/bg/chapters/los-angeles