tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/en/projects 2025-07-23T03:03:56Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/357826 2025-07-22T00:00:00Z 2025-07-23T03:03:56Z I am the founder and program director of black whole Press, which is a print media community arts space located in the heart of the Alberta Arts neighborhood in North Portland. The space is used to host events, residency programs, and educational opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and POC artists and community members that have an interest in exploring printmaking. One of the major components of my programming is a series of monthly workshops that teach various techniques of printmaking, from linocut and wood block printing to etching and fabric prints. As the primary mission of black whole Press is to bridge the rampant opportunity and accessibility gaps within the medium of printmaking via education and resource-sharing, I also emphasize skills and processes that can be accomplished outside of a formal studio space while using affordable household materials. The workshops are taught primarily by BIPOC artists and printmakers, who are currently paid a competitive wage of $40 per hour. These courses are free and open to the public and encourage people of all levels of experience to sign up, from beginners to advanced. In addition, I have also conducted mobile, pop-up printmaking demonstrations and workshops at various venues ranging from community arts centers to gallery spaces. Melanie Stevens black whole Press: Workshops https://www.instagram.com/blackwholepress United States Portland, OR https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/portland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/353033 2025-07-21T00:00:00Z 2025-07-24T20:24:21Z Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people often want to change the sound of their voices to better align with their gender identity. However, it is difficult to access professional services due to barriers like the escalating legislative attacks on gender affirming care, high costs of services, or lack of awareness. This means countless people go unserved by the current systems, a problem especially true of Pittsburgh. The Vocal Congruence Project (VCP, vocalcongruence.org) is a website developed to equip people with free information about navigating their next step for their voice. It contains wide-ranging guides and a map of 350+ voice providers and phonosurgeons internationally, so that people can overcome obstacles to care and make the most informed decisions possible. By increasing access to voice care, we improve quality of life and safety for the TGD community at a time when this is increasingly important. Nora Mahon The Vocal Congruence Project https://vocalcongruence.org/ United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/353984 2025-07-20T00:00:00Z 2025-07-24T22:25:40Z Satori arts is an engaging studio/venue for multiple events. It is the studio of performance artist Tom Brady who opens the space (no charge) for featured poet, spoken work, book launches. Satori receives donations from attendees to defray the cost of utilities and operational expenses. While these donations do not cover the operational expenses - but it helps. Four nights per month Satori co-sponsors events specifically focused on the Literary community hosting book launches, featuring dozens of local poets and hundreds of poets and spoken word artists in an OPEN MIC format. Our featured poets are asked to present 30 minutes of their work. Questions are encouraged at the conclusion. The evening open mic format provides time, both before and after the featured artist to present 5 minutes of their original poems, spoken word or excerpt from an original book they are working on. Poets receive no compensation. This grant funding would allow us to pay a $100 honorarium in the name of The Awesome Foundation to 10 featured artists. One per month. Thomas E Brady SATORI ARTS OPEN MIC PROJECT http://satoriarts.org United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/353314 2025-07-15T00:00:00Z 2025-07-22T00:52:45Z Loved Twice will provide a wardrobe of baby clothes to 50 homeless newborns in San Jose. Each box contains 75 gently used, seasonally appropriate garments—onesies, pajamas, hats, socks, and blankets—lovingly packed and distributed through our trusted social service agency partners who support families in crisis. That’s 3,750 essential garments with a total retail value of $13,125, diverted from the landfill and delivered into the arms of those who need them most. With this grant, we will collect, sort, and curate high-quality secondhand baby clothing, assemble 50 wardrobes-in-a-box, and deliver them directly to homeless shelters, family resource centers, and health clinics across San Jose. This gift of clothing will provide comfort and dignity to newborns experiencing homelessness—meeting an urgent basic need during a vulnerable time in a baby’s life. Each year, we collect approximately 700,000 essential garments. They are packed into "wardrobes-in-a-box" in that each box contains enough clothing to keep a baby warm and clean through their first year of life. Each box contains 75 essential gently used garments in sizes 0-12 months. Lisa Klein Baby clothes for homeless babies in San Jose http://www.lovedtwice.org United States San Jose, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sanjose tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/356964 2025-07-13T00:00:00Z 2025-07-14T13:28:58Z Repair Cafes are heartwarming community events that encourage and enable building personal connections while also teaching important repair skills. Local fixers sit across from neighbors they may never have met before while fixing their beloved but broken items, for free, at these joyful get-togethers. What is fixed at a repair cafe? Lamps, jewelry, clothing, furniture, bikes, beloved toys, computers–whatever walks in the door! Anyone who wants to learn to be a fixer can get involved at subsequent repair cafes–no one needs to be a professional, they just need to have a passion for helping, tinkering, and learning and we will pair them with a more experienced fixer who will teach them. At the end of a successful repair cafe, a significant number of items have been kept out of the landfill too. Unfortunately the Newburgh Repair Cafe hasn’t been held since May 2023. The original founder of the cafe moved away and the baton has recently been passed to us, Kate Clarke and Kristen Thornton-De Stafeno at the Newburgh Free Library (NFL), which will also serve as the new location for the Newburgh Repair Cafe. After so much time, it is like starting a cafe from scratch in terms of the work to be done, but we know the city will be delighted to see it return. Newburgh is one of 10 Repair Cafes in Orange County and one of 70 in the network (www.repaircafehv.org). We will have the support of RCHV Coordinator, Suzie Fromer, who was very excited when we reached out as she has received numerous inquiries about when the Newburgh cafe would return. She has a thorough ‘to do’ list to help us approach this task, a large drive of shared resources and an active google group of the other RCHV coordinators. In addition, she has a fixer list and will reach out and connect us with many of the past cafe fixers so we know we are in good shape. We will also solicit new fixers from the community - the more the merrier! Kate Clarke, Newburgh Free Library Newburgh Repair Café https://www.repaircafehv.org/newburgh United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/355483 2025-07-13T00:00:00Z 2025-07-14T13:28:21Z FREED to FEED is After Incarceration's weekly Monday outreach outside the Newburgh Parole Field Office, serving formerly incarcerated community members reporting for parole and substance abuse treatment. Parole reporting can be emotionally complex. While physically free, people remain under the prison system's control, triggering trauma, fear, and feelings of entrapment. FREED to FEED interrupts these difficult moments with kindness and community support, providing emotional grounding before people return home. Our team watches for distress and creates space for sharing experiences with others who truly understand. We know how hard it is to explain these experiences to those who haven't lived them. We provide fresh fruits and vegetables from Newburgh Farmers Market vendors, grocery staples from Hannaford through Marc's Friends, bottled water, and books to draw, color, and read—nourishing body and mind. When available, we distribute diapers, milk, and gift cards for urgent needs. Most Newburgh residents know someone who's experienced incarceration, yet many don't know what to expect when loved ones return. FREED to FEED offers hope and guidance, emphasizing that release begins the journey of rebuilding relationships—work requiring support, patience, and healing. Our presence challenges harmful stereotypes. When neighbors see formerly incarcerated people caring for their community, it dispels destructive myths. Staffed by program alumni, youth leaders, and community partners, FREED to FEED serves 12-15 people weekly. Many more connect through referrals to Kingian Nonviolence workshops, restorative circles, and leadership programs. Food opens the door; dignity and healing are the goal. FREED to FEED nourishes bodies, restores hope, and reshapes narratives—showing formerly incarcerated people as essential to building the beloved community we all deserve. Jose Pineda FREED to FEED http://www.afterincarceration.org United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351805 2025-07-10T00:00:00Z 2025-07-11T16:03:27Z Congratulations to our July 2025 grant awardee East Side Learning Center. We chose ESLC for its work in bringing our community together and for providing reading initiatives. Executive Director Karmit Bulman says, “East Side Learning Center seeks funding for the Summer 2025 Spark: Igniting Young Minds Through Reading & Creativity program. During the summer, literacy programming is provided to students and their families. The program includes one-on-one reading tutoring, reader’s theatre and literacy games and activities. Parents and siblings are invited to gather weekly for literacy activities and a meal. This program currently serves residents of Liberty Plaza Housing Development, a subsidized residential community serving a large population of Somali immigrant families. Tutors use strengths-based approaches that incorporate a deep respect for each child as a person, and for the child’s family, culture, and language. There is also an emphasis on parent involvement; children and family members work together on foundational skills, such as letter recognition, decoding, and sight word vocabulary. By building these skills with parents, literacy becomes a family affair! “Family Engagement Evenings: during the summer, as well as a few times during the school year, ESLC hosts family-friendly events. During the summer, families come together weekly for a meal and to join in on literacy activities and see Reader's Theater performances.” Karmit J Bulman Family Literacy Fun Nights https://eastsidelearningcenter.org/ United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/355638 2025-07-09T00:00:00Z 2025-07-15T21:35:15Z The Michigan Playwrights Festival (MPF) is an annual celebration of new plays and new voices, hosted by Theatre NOVA in Ann Arbor. This project uplifts Michigan-based playwrights by offering them a platform to develop and publicly present original, full-length plays. The 2025 MPF will showcase 5-6 plays selected from open submissions, giving local writers the opportunity to see their scripts brought to life by professional artists. In 2025, we received 56 submissions–up from 36 the previous year. Each selected playwright receives a stipend, a rehearsal process with a director and actors, and feedback from artists and audiences. Public readings are offered at low cost (with pay-what-you-can tickets always available), making theatre accessible while fostering community engagement and dialogue. Facilitated talkbacks and written feedback help writers refine their scripts, often leading to future productions. In fact, “Eclipsed: The Sun, the Moon, and Gladys Atkinson Sweet” by Detroit playwright D.L. Patrick, featured in the 2024 MPF, was selected for a full production in our 2024–25 season. It became our best-selling show in over two years and spotlighted a century-old story of racial injustice in Detroit—honoring Black voices, stories, and artists. The MPF doesn't just support playwrights. Last year’s festival engaged over 40 Michigan-based artists and welcomed hundreds of audience members to connect with brand-new stories rooted in their communities. It’s a high-impact initiative that nurtures talent, amplifies underrepresented voices, and enriches Southeast Michigan’s cultural landscape. With support from the Awesome Foundation, we can expand outreach, increase artist compensation, and ensure this growing platform continues to inspire, educate, and connect. Shelby Seeley 2025 Michigan Playwrights Festival https://www.theatrenova.org/michigan-playwrights-festival United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/352823 2025-07-08T00:00:00Z 2025-07-14T04:13:42Z The Worst Film Festival is Back! Where Flops are the Feature and Cringe Builds Community Move over Oscars, there's a new festival in town and it's gloriously bad. The Worst Film Festival is here to flip the script on failure and shine a spotlight on the projects that didn’t quite go as planned. Our mission? To bring creative missteps out of the shadows and celebrate them as necessary, hilarious, and even beautiful stepping stones on the path to artistic growth. Everyone has a project they'd rather forget - an overexposed short, a plotless epic, a sound mix that sounds like it was recorded in a wind tunnel - but at The Worst Film Festival these cinematic calamities take center stage. Because let’s be honest: failure is part of the process, and it’s time we embraced it. This isn't about mockery. It’s about meaning, and screenings are followed by a live Q&A. We believe that the worst work often paves the way for our best so we’re creating a space where filmmakers of all sorts can laugh, learn, and lift each other up, one glorious mess at a time. After the HUGE success of our inaugural year we are excited to bring this festival back to our community. The Worst Film Festival was founded in 2024 by Danielle Cheifetz (Founder & Producer, Kraken Cove Productions), Cheryl Isaacson (Founder & Director, Lincoln Street Studios), and Keren Southall (Producer). Keren Southall The Worst Film Festival http://theworstfilmfest.com/ United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/355195 2025-07-08T00:00:00Z 2025-07-08T22:34:43Z We are a neighborhood school in West Philadelphia whose students LOVE team sports and physical exercise. Our students stay for hours after school and on the weekends to play soccer, basektball, football, and other sports in our yard. We want to give them a space that fits all their needs. We are looking to paint regulation court and field marks, create "hang out" zones with picnic tables and gardens, and really just revitalize our school yard to be a fun and safe space for our students to find joy in physical exercise year round. Conner Vorwick Bryant Blacktop Beautification http://bryant.philasd.org United States Philadelphia, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/philadelphia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/353204 2025-07-07T00:00:00Z 2025-07-08T01:20:36Z Flotsam River Circus is a troupe of musicians, puppeteers, and circus artists traveling on a ramshackle raft, giving free performances in riverfront towns. Inspired by the American showboat tradition and modern floating art projects, Flotsam features a rotating cast of internationally renowned performers. In 2025, in celebration of the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial, Flotsam will voyage from Buffalo to New York City via the Erie Canal and Hudson River, performing in over 35 communities along the way—including Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, and NYC. Flotsam’s stage is a 33-foot circus raft, often doubling as our home. Since our 2019 debut down Oregon’s Willamette River, we’ve brought our show to Seattle’s waterways, the Sacramento River, the Upper Mississippi in 2023, and the entire Ohio River in 2024. More information at: www.rivercircus.com Jason Webley Flotsam River Circus - 2025 Hudson River Tour http://www.rivercircus.com Worldwide On the Water https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/onthewater tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/354714 2025-07-07T00:00:00Z 2025-07-08T01:21:21Z On July 19th, bands on decorated pontoon boats will float down the Chicago river. Each boat will stop at three locations along the river. The band will disembark onto a floating stage. From there they will perform a set of music for an audience on shore. This project is the culmination of several secret river shows. Over the past 4 years, I have been hosting bands on a pylon in the Chicago river. The city of Chicago awarded me a DCASE grant for my proposal to record an album and produce a river parade. The purpose of the parade is to draw attention to the river and highlight the value of arts funding in the city of Chicago. If more people begin to engage with the river, policies that clean it and develop it can gain more traction. The parade also highlights the talent of the Chicago music scene. Ben Kinsinger The Great River Parade http://LawrenceTome.com Worldwide On the Water https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/onthewater tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/352398 2025-07-02T00:00:00Z 2025-07-03T02:38:28Z For Little Monkeys Charity is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to designing and donating sensory rooms, as well as curating and providing sensory kits for families with neurodiverse children. Our organization aims to assist these vulnerable children in developing essential skills through sensory play, fostering the enhancement of gross motor, fine motor, communication, social, and sensory regulation abilities. Over the years, we have received numerous impact statements from families who have benefitted from our efforts, which we post on our Instagram page @forlittlemonkeyscharity and our website (www.forlittlemonkeyscharity.ca). Given the lack of sufficient support for families with neurodiverse children, we are committed to doing our part to help these children achieve their full potential. Natalie Cimini Sensory Kits for Neurodiverse Children http://www.forlittlemonkeyscharity.ca Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/354186 2025-07-02T00:00:00Z 2025-07-02T12:01:03Z Research consistently shows that maintaining a home language and supporting multilingual education benefit children’s wellbeing, identity development, and future social participation. Play & Learn Vietnamese is a pioneering initiative by VietSchool that promotes multilingualism from the earliest years of life. This program offers free, one-hour Vietnamese language sessions each week to preschool-aged children in childcare centres across Sydney, using a specially developed curriculum tailored for this age group (https://www.facebook.com/vietschool.au/). The idea originates from our findings in the VietSpeech ARC project, which highlights that early childhood is the most effective time to support home language development (https://www.csu.edu.au/research/vietspeech/overview). While government support exists for community language education from Kindergarten to Year 12, the preschool sector remains largely overlooked. Play & Learn Vietnamese aims to fill that gap. We launched a call for expressions of interest earlier this month, and four Montessori centres in Sydney immediately registered. Our first sessions began in April at Croydon and Strathfield Montessori, with more centres eagerly awaiting our arrival, including Fairy Kingdom Childcare Centre (Revesby), Burwood Montessori, and Earlwood Montessori. Each session engages around 15 enthusiastic pre-schoolers, including both children with Vietnamese heritage and those from non-Vietnamese backgrounds, who sing, dance, colour, and learn through play. It’s incredible to witness how quickly and joyfully they learn and interact in the language. This project not only nurtures a love of languages but also fosters appreciation for cultural diversity and inclusion from a young age. With the Awesome Foundation’s support, we hope to expand this initiative and eventually adapt it to other community languages, bringing the joy of early multilingual learning to even more children across Sydney. Van Tran Play & Learn Vietnamese for pre-schoolers https://www.facebook.com/vietschool.au/ Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/346840 2025-06-30T00:00:00Z 2025-07-09T18:42:13Z We're excited that our June grant has been awarded to **The Jungle Festival**, a dynamic musical experience that mixes DJ and live musicianship in an electric jam while showcasing New York's emerging talent with an artist showcase. Since 2023, they have provided a platform for 70+ musicians sharing original music ranging from indie rock to classical and experimental jazz, what they like to call **AFRO JAZZ**! This past July 4th, the folks behind The Jungle put together their first ever free Jungle Festival at Sleepwalk in Bushwick, featuring several artists original performances along with a DJ and major jam session at the end. In their own words: _"For many of our younger (and older) musicians we have connected with - a chance to play at The Jungle and create their own set has been a first. We see musicians who have just been friends come together to create music and go on to collaborate simply because they had the opportunity and safety to just BE at The Jungle. The jam session is one of the most freeing, fun, experiences for true collaboration to happen. Nowadays, nightlife is about posturing, what you wear, and acting cool. The Jungle is a safe, free space to let go and get free. The Jungle Festival will be that and more because it welcomes the community and inspires creative release._ _"We are deeply grateful to the Awesome Grant for its generous support of The Jungle Festival — our vibrant, grassroots music and culture celebration. This grant has helped us bring to life a powerful vision rooted in community, rhythm, and musical creative expression. The Jungle Festival is more than just a music event; it is a cultural gathering space through the exploration of sounds. With this support, we’ve been able to compensate musicians, deepen audience engagement, and continue building a platform that honors the beauty and brilliance of our collective artistic voices. Thank you for believing in our work."_ Kwesi Abbensetts The Jungle Festival! http://linktr.ee/thejungleworldwide United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/352858 2025-06-30T00:00:00Z 2025-07-12T17:55:21Z Masabilities: Carnival Without Limits was created with the mission to create an inclusive Caribbean Carnival Dance to address the needs of the Disabled African, Caribbean, Black Community. Founded by Marty Lampkin (she/her) who lives by the motto "my ancestors did not die for me to remain silent"; Masabilities was birthed out of Marty's love for Carnival but discontent with the erasure of the Black Disability Community from the celebrations and festivities. Marty set out to build something different without funding or grant supports in 2024 Masabilities's mission is to create an inclusive, liberating and accessible Carnival MAS dance experience celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture, identity and inclusion through a Disability-affirming lens. This event is more than a dance celebration as it focuses on addressing ableism currently in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade that results in exclusion, isolation and segregation for Disabled African, Caribbean, Black community members. Launched in partnership with Monique Pitt which honoured Afro-Caribbean Black Disabled individuals of all ages including their caregivers / case support workers to show up authentically themselves and participate in the joys of Carnival / playing a Mas. Last year, over 50 disabled members attended with disabilities across the spectrum of Physical disabilities, Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum, Intellectual Disabilities and Learning Disabilities. The funding from the Awesome foundation will be used to cover an Accessibility package, which will make the dance inclusive and liberatory by covering expenses directly related to the ASL interpreters, sensory items, blind/ low vision guides, the inclusive disability dance instructor and the steel pan educational instructor. Everyone deserves to participate in the celebrations of carnival and Afro-Caribbean resistance. Because folks are disabled does not mean as society they should not be erased from these experiences of carnival, music, dance, festivities and community building. Marty Lampkin Masabilities: Disability Carnival https://www.martylampkinspeaks.com/masabilities-carnivalwithoutlimits Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/353914 2025-06-30T00:00:00Z 2025-07-12T22:20:02Z Conceived as a transient experience, Karaoke in the Cemetery creates a platform for participants to express emotions like grief and rage through the act of singing together. By bringing this intimate, vulnerable, and potentially loud activity into the cemetery, the project works to create an atmosphere of impromptu opportunity and collaborative creation. Participants will be invited to sing, listen, dance, or make a raucous or emotional mess together, shattering cultural expectations that grief should be kept silent. As an artist, my work often takes the form of a collaboration with the public and I’m interested in how Karaoke can provide both a catharsis for individuals and a collective demonstration of our shared humanity. Music is deeply nourishing, and audio cues serve as a bridge to our memories and shared experiences. Singing, especially in a group, can open a channel for mourning and renewal. I hope this project serves to remind people that hope and sorrow can coexist, that both can be expressed—and perhaps transformed—through music. For years, I’ve been dreaming about creating this project for the cemetery to reimagine how we engage with grief, memory, and communal expression. Like my previous works, the project centers on experiences of listening, commemoration, and community, enlisting the audience as collaborators to help determine the content and create an archive to memorialize it once it has passed. Prior to the launch of Karaoke in the Cemetery at Congressional on August 1, I’m creating a web site where visitors can build a roster of song options and sign up for the event. This site will serve as an initial form of engagement, a document co-created and curated by the public. At the end of the project, the online song collection becomes an archive, a living repository that will be made accessible for the public use. As with all my work, I seek to foster individual and collective engagement that will last well beyond the scope of one project. Leigh Davis Karaoke in the Cemetery https://www.leighdavisprojects.com/karaoke-in-the-cemetery United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/352671 2025-06-30T00:00:00Z 2025-07-03T23:22:37Z At Neuro Fitness Foundation (NFF) we aim to do fundraising events in order to ensure we do not have to raise the gym fees for our members who have a range of neurological diseases and are generally low income. Our long term goal is to have an active fundraising stream that will make the gym free again for members since we had to start charging with reduced membership during and following COVID. One flagship event we host annually is our bowling event. This event aims to bring together members from our gym and community partners such as university student interns and physical therapy clinic staff in a fun filled afternoon of sport. This event is great because it is adaptable to the varying abilities of the NFF members and we try to have any many participate as possible. Cost is often a barrier to members forming groups so our proposal is focused on obtaining fund to sponsor teams of members from the NFF community. This will help them to engage in the event for fun and community building. **What our grantee is saying:** “We sincerely appreciate the grant from Awesome Disability. Your support makes it possible for us to sponsor a fun-filled day of bowling, providing our members with a meaningful opportunity to connect, socialize, and enjoy quality time with family, friends, and fellow members. This event holds special significance, offering some participants a rare chance to engage with the community and stay active. For over 27 years, the Neuro Fitness Foundation has been dedicated to fostering vital social connections, strengthening community bonds, and promoting the health and well-being of our members, their families, and caregivers. Your generosity directly helps us advance our mission of supporting their physical and mental health.” Thuy Layhew Neuro Fitness Foundation: Community Bowling Event https://neurofitnessfoundation.org/ Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/350336 2025-06-30T00:00:00Z 2025-07-22T00:42:53Z June’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Colleen Gray and the Ottawa High Hookers to support the local arm wrestling community. The Ottawa High Hookers are a wrestling club operating out of an inconspicuous suburban garage in Nepean. Club members get together twice a week not only to practice but also for pot-lucks, BBQs, and more. “We celebrate birthdays, special occasions, and even a marriage through our club,” says Colleen. “I actually married my best friend, who is also an arm wrestler!” The club is holding their first annual High Hookers Day celebration on July 26, with food, drinks, music, and, of course, lots of arm wrestling. Colleen Gray Ottawa High Hookers https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064683007400 Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/353761 2025-06-25T00:00:00Z 2025-06-27T11:53:00Z This month AFRI is supporting "The Diaries of Netovicius the Vampire, an audioseries produced in Providence and largely set in Rhode Island/New England. The Diaries is a fun, low-fantasy vampire story about recovery from trauma, evolving over the years alongside creator Hugo Pierre Martin who adds, "It's definitely a love-letter to this city I call home. " Funds support the hiring of local talent along with general production. Hugo Pierre Martin The Diaries of Netovicius the Vampire https://netovampire.com/ United States Rhode Island https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/rhodeisland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/353590 2025-06-25T00:00:00Z 2025-06-26T13:13:24Z We aim to create a series of accessible, hands-on workshops that introduce older adults to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ways that are practical and engaging. Many seniors encounter AI daily—through smart speakers, healthcare apps, or financial tools—but often feel uncertain or left behind by rapid technological changes. Our workshops will demystify AI by focusing on real-life applications that can enhance seniors' independence, safety, health, and social connections. Key topics will include health monitoring (using smartwatches or telehealth apps to track vital signs and medications), online safety (how AI detects scams and protects privacy), smart home devices (voice assistants and security), and AI-powered communication tools that help seniors stay connected to family and friends. We will also help participants recognize AI-generated content designed to mislead or scam them, such as deepfakes, phishing emails, or fraudulent chatbots, giving them practical tools to stay vigilant in an increasingly digital world. Each session will be interactive, hands-on, and paced to match participants’ comfort levels. We will use plain language, avoid technical jargon, and provide opportunities for participants to practice using devices directly in a supportive, low-pressure environment. The grant will allow us to create a fully developed prototype of the workshop series, including curriculum, materials, and delivery methods, that we can refine based on participant feedback. Once tested, this prototype can serve as a model we replicate at additional sites, multiplying the long-term impact of this initial investment and reaching many more seniors across Centre County and beyond. Workshops will be offered at community centers, libraries, and senior living facilities, where participants already feel comfortable. Over time, we aim to build a lasting learning community where seniors feel empowered to confidently engage with AI technologies in their daily lives. Wael Jabr Silver & Savvy: Bringing AI to Our Seniors https://onehandfoundation.org/ United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/354558 2025-06-25T00:00:00Z 2025-06-26T13:13:11Z The New Ground Orchestra Festival is bringing professional women musicians from our local community, throughout Pennsylvania, the east coast, and even as far as Washington state and Belgium to State College from July 22nd through July 26th. The time will be spent focusing on health and well-being, intentional connection with the local community, and invigorating the rehearsal process to close with an exciting concert that includes the east coast premiere of "Immortal Beloved" for violin and orchestra. Health and well-being ~ Through therapeutic sessions: journaling (led by Carolyne Meehan), singing (led by Patti Begg), Eurythmy (a movement art that I will lead), and selfcare sessions led by Revive Massage, the musicians will receive support for their own growth and development, allowing them to inspire and bring to new life to their playing. Intentional connection with the local community: Each morning the musicians will give their helping hands to a local organization. The following organizations will welcome the musicians for community service: ClearWater Conservancy, Plowshare Produce, and Centre Safe. The festival will close with a concert on Friday, July 25th in the Recital Hall at the Penn State School of Music. The concert is free to the public and donations will be collected for Centre Safe. As a musician it is essential that we maintain our passion and inspiration for performing so that we can give a wealth of inspiration and strength to our audiences. Often the realities of a professional musician's schedule does not allow time to focus on health and how we can best connect with and serve our community with our gifts. The festival has been created to give women musicians a window of time to work and grow professionally, while also strengthening themselves through connection with the local community, therapeutic artistic exercises, and support in self-care. Rebekah Kathleen O'Brien New Ground Orchestra Festival United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/350785 2025-06-25T00:00:00Z 2025-06-25T19:50:46Z Ujan is proud to be the birthplace of a truly unique and flavorful variety of peach – the Ujan Peach. To honor this rich agricultural heritage and create a distinctive identity for the village, we are launching a community branding initiative under the slogan: “The Real Ujan Peach is Only in Ujan.” Key Element of the Project: Peach-Shaped Street Number Boards: In a creative twist, all street number signs in the village will be redesigned in the shape of a peach. This small but powerful detail will reinforce the branding throughout the village, making the experience of walking through Ujan both charming and memorable. Vahagn Mosinyan Unique street signs of Ujan! Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351789 2025-06-24T00:00:00Z 2025-06-26T15:23:49Z Aldridge Elementary is seeking funding to repair and purchase used band instruments through Kagan and Gaines Music Co., Inc. to expand our morning band program. When the music program was reintroduced in 2024 after a five-year hiatus, we began rebuilding from scratch. Currently, only nine students participate due to a lack of functional instruments. Many more have expressed interest, but the program cannot grow without access to quality, playable instruments. Our school is located within a Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) public housing project on the far South Side of Chicago. As a Title I school serving a predominantly Black student population, we face significant challenges related to systemic underfunding and limited access to arts education. By repairing and purchasing instruments, we aim to create a sustainable instrument bank that allows more students to join the band each year, regardless of their families’ financial means. This project also prepares students for participation in the Illinois Solo & Ensemble Contest, a key milestone that supports technical development, builds confidence, and raises Aldridge’s visibility within the broader CPS arts community. Repaired instruments will remain in our inventory and serve students for years to come, creating a long-term impact on music access and equity in our school community. We believe every student deserves the chance to experience the joy, discipline, and lifelong skills that come from being part of a band. With your support, we can provide more instruments, more access, and more opportunity—for students today and in the future. Daniel Kumapayi Music In The Gardens https://aldridgeeagles.org/ United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351115 2025-06-23T00:00:00Z 2025-07-21T21:01:08Z Teetotal Initiative is a nonprofit founded in 2023 to support individuals sustaining sobriety and recovery through free, high-quality events that reduce isolation, boredom, and loneliness—some of the most common causes of relapse. We are holding a Mocktail Mixer, which is our first major fundraiser and Pittsburgh’s first-ever zero-proof cocktail competition! We’ll bring together attendees and Pittsburgh’s best restaurants and bars at CoHatch South Side Works for an unforgettable evening of mocktail sampling, raffle basket fundraising, and community-building. Guests will taste the innovative creations and vote in person to crown “Best Mocktail in the Burgh.” From cooking classes and creative arts to sober comedy nights and holistic workshops, Teetotal Initiative’s events make recovery feel social, engaging, and full of life. Jackie Slaugenhaupt The One with the Ice and Cups-Teetotal Initiative http://www.teetotal.org United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/352580 2025-06-19T00:00:00Z 2025-06-23T19:28:16Z Robot in the Park is raising environmental awareness through creative robot art, first with Robot Butterfly! This initiative has two parts: a hands-on workshop and public park activities. We’re running a Robot Butterfly workshop at the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) STEM & Robotics Centre starting mid July. Eight youth participants will each build their own Robot Butterfly (https://robotmissions.org/store/product/robot-butterfly-kit/) from a kit, paying a reduced cost of $25. They will hands-on learn electronics soldering, assembling 3D printed pieces, and firmware programming. They keep their Robot Butterfly and can have it featured in the Robot in the Park activities, where others can interact with their creations. Our Robot in the Park (https://robotinthepark.org/) public activities run throughout the summer in Kingston’s parks and are free to attend. Perfect for young and old who enjoy learning more about nature and technology. In this real-world adventure game, participants embark on nature-technology quests, using illustrated guide cards to learn facts about wildlife and observe details in nature. To complete the challenge, they interact with the Robot Butterflies nestled near plants, learning how it responds to the environment. We previously ran a similar version in Ottawa (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC-aEnBU9cg) which was a big hit with all ages. We’re proud to partner with BGC (https://www.bgcsoutheast.ca/programs/education-and-stem/). They are one of Canada’s largest youth STEM centres, supporting over 1,200 youth from equity-deserving groups. BGC will manage registration, launching June 20, and host the workshops in their inspiring space. Support from Awesome Kingston will make these workshops accessible, cover park fees, and supplies. Insurance, which is required for running the activities, has already been covered thanks to Erin’s speaker honorarium from a tech conference. Erin RobotZwrrl Robot in the Park https://robotinthepark.org/ Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351199 2025-06-19T00:00:00Z 2025-06-20T01:07:12Z Sea Circles is a summer surf series for self-identified girls. We meet every Tuesday, starting July 1st- August 26th. from 6-8 pm at either Good Harbor Beach or Long Beach. Sea Circles is much more than a surf lesson. It’s a community-based program that harnesses the transformative power of the ocean to support emotional well-being, self-expression, and leadership in girls. Surfing becomes a vehicle for positive self-development, inviting participants to engage not only with the waves but with themselves and one another. At Sea Circles, we encourage participants to connect with their mind, heart, and body. The ocean brings us into the present moment, a place where we can access peace, perspective, and renewed optimism. As we learn to ride the waves, we also learn to navigate emotions, challenge our limits, and awaken a sense of awe and belonging. Sea Circles is designed specifically for self-identified girls, recognizing that girls still face gender-based marginalization. By creating intentional, affirming spaces free from social pressure, we invite participants to show up authentically and safely. This emotional safety is essential for confidence, expression, and healing. Building confidence is a pillar of Sea Circles. Surfing is hard, and learning something difficult in a group setting reminds us that we are not alone. We all experience fear, frustration, and joy. We help participants recognize and reframe negative self-talk, celebrate progress, and build each other up. At each session, participants are invited to share something they’re proud of and offer a compliment to someone else, reinforcing personal growth and community care. Our staff and volunteers are dedicated, supportive water women who act as mentors and role models. They create meaningful relationships, sharing knowledge, encouragement, and a deep respect for the sea. These relationships are foundational to the Sea Circles experience. Susan Wood Sea Cirlces http://www.lovegrows.love United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351756 2025-06-16T00:00:00Z 2025-07-10T09:13:42Z Community Family Development is is a nonprofit early childhood education center committed to nurturing the holistic development of children ages 18 months to 5 years. We respectfully request funding in the amount of $[insert amount] to implement a Yoga for Young Children program. This initiative will bring weekly yoga classes to our toddler and preschool classrooms, promoting physical health, emotional regulation, mindfulness, and school readiness among our students—many of whom face socioeconomic challenges. Jaime Hyla Yoga for Toddlers & Preschool http://www.communityfamilydevelopment.org United States Poughkeepsie, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/poughkeepsie tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/335676 2025-06-15T00:00:00Z 2025-06-15T22:48:54Z **The Game** In 2016, a vision was set in motion: Could a board game embody the essence of Dragon Dreaming? Could play become a path to co-creation, collective intelligence, and regenerative action? The answer began to take form through sketches, storytelling, and experiments with participatory arts. Over the years, The DragonTree evolved, shaped by workshops, prototypes, and the wisdom of those who engaged with it. **The Quest** Now, in 2025, the time has come to bring this game to life. The DragonTree is entering its final stage, ready to be shared with the world as a tool for learning, playing, and transforming together. It is a game where winning means collaborating skillfully, where wisdom is gained through nimble, purposeful action, and where true success is only achieved as a collective. **The Forest** In this adventurous board game, four archetypal characters—The Magician, The Pioneer, The Bridge-Builder, and The Dragon Lady—embark on a journey toward the Earth Gate, a symbol of regenerative culture and collective flourishing. Along the way, they discover that their greatest challenge is not the obstacles ahead but their ability to collaborate effectively. **The Council** Each character has unique superpowers that allow them to move, support others, and influence the game dynamics. But only by working together can they reach the center and complete their quest. The game reflects Dragon Dreaming’s fourfold path—Dreaming, Planning, Doing, and Celebrating—where action is guided by deep listening, intuition, and shared vision **The Bridge** The game serves as a connector, linking players to global networks of place-based activism, Dragon Dreaming practitioners, and regenerative communities. It is Accessible to All Ages & Backgrounds, Merging arts, storytelling, and systems sensing, to invite intergenerational and intercultural participation for a win win win futures. **How I will use the money:** This grant will bring The DragonTree to life by supporting: 1. Co-Design & Refinement (25%) – Host sessions to fine-tune game mechanics, storytelling, and play dynamics. 2. Visual Development (25%) – Create artwork, board design, and an intuitive rulebook. 3. Open-Source Publication (25%) – Produce a printable version, making the game widely accessible. 4. Hybrid Launch Party (25%) – Organize an in-person and online event to introduce The DragonTree to the world **A little about me:** I am Uri Noy Meir, a practitioner and facilitator dedicated to bringing together arts, storytelling, and participatory practices to promote collective well-being and environmental regeneration. My work revolves around creating spaces where individuals and communities can tap into their collective intelligence and creativity to address social and ecological challenges. Dragon Dreaming has been a core community and compass on my journey. **Apart from the money, how else can the broader Dragon Dreaming community help you?** A community to co design, refine, test and launch the game into the world Amount funded: 666 euros Uri Noy meir DragonTree: A Collective Dreaming Board Game Worldwide Dragon Dreaming https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/dragondreaming tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/346400 2025-06-15T00:00:00Z 2025-06-13T14:57:57Z Some collaborators and I have scheduled and planned a celebration of all things pollinators and native plants. This will be a family friendly event held at Gooseberry Park in Moorhead, MN on June 17, 2025 from 4 pm to 8 pm. A variety of activities will take place, including a "facelift" for one of the needy, weedy garden areas near the playground. Before the event, the organizing team will select a site and prepare it for planting native plants to support pollinators and other wildlife. Adults and children will be invited to plant plugs of native plants appropriate for the spot. The organizational team will add educational signage and continue to care for the site. In addition to the plug planting, we will have printed educational material to share and a display about the importance of native plants. We will have a variety of activities, such as seed paper making, bee house making, planting echinacea seeds to take home, stories about pollinators, plants and birds, a tree walk, face painting and food. In addition to supporting one of Moorhead's parks by reviving a garden area, our big goal is to provide hands on education about native plants. We hope to encourage community members to continue learning about the importance of native plants. We will provide hands on experience and information to help citizens gain confidence and interest in adding native plants to landscapes in our parks, public spaces, commercial and city spaces and even private yards. We hope to build a movement to increase native habitat and wildlife in our urban spaces, to beautify our city, to enrich our quality of life, and to support our ecosystem. The team supporting this project are: *Jillian Patrie, University of Minnesota Extension *Crystal Rayamajhi, U of M Extension *Noelle Harden, U of M Extension *Sydney Stock, U of M Extension Master Gardener Intern *Martha Wheeler, U of M Extension Master Gardener Intern Martha Kathryn Wheeler Flutterby Fest (A Celebration of Pollinators) http://NA United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/316079 2025-06-12T00:00:00Z 2025-06-27T01:00:36Z AwesomeStPaul is proud to announce our June 2025 grantee, Communty-driven Food Rescue. This program rescues surplus food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to those most in need. A significant percentage of food, especially produce, in this country is discarded despite being perfectly good. This occurs at co-ops, grocery stores, restaurants, catering businesses, and distribution warehouses to make space for new shipments. We build relationships with grocery stores, food co-ops, restaurants, and other food distributors to rescue healthy surplus food. Every week, we conduct regular pickups of large amounts of food that would traditionally go to waste. Most of the food is fresh produce, which is often harder for people in need to find. In recent years, our food source partners have included Metro Star Produce Distributor, Brake Bread, Green Grocer, Red Table Meats and Fresh Thyme Market. We intentionally seek out food that would not be rescued by other organizations to ensure that our efforts are unique and impactful. We target smaller businesses like neighborhood groceries and restaurants, which are often overlooked by other food rescue programs. We provide ongoing training to these businesses, helping them identify and reduce food waste, thus increasing the amount of food we rescue over time. We also partner with many local organizations, from soup kitchens to neighborhood food shelves, to ensure this food reaches the most disadvantaged. Distribution partners in recent years have included Merrick Family Services, Loaves & Fishes, Keystone Food Shelves (Frogtown, Midway, & Merriam Park), Neighborhood House, & many more. Christopher Allison Community Driven Food Rescue http://www.community-driven.org United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/350934 2025-06-12T00:00:00Z 2025-06-13T01:49:58Z Hack The Land is a hackathon fully led by high-schoolers for HS students. A hackathon as described by Hack Club as a social coding marathon where teenagers come together to build projects for a weekend and share them with the world. Additionally MLH provides another article https://news.mlh.io/what-is-a-hackathon-10-30-2023. While there are other hackathons organized by Hyland, TechCorpsHack, and NASA. These events unfortunately do not have teenage organizers at the core of their events and oftentimes have themes which are good for giving participants a pathway doesn't give students the opportunity to create a project that represents them, their interests or their team and the teams shared interests. Hack The Land aims to break this dynamic and create an event where teenagers are empowered to create the projects of their imaginations with teenagers at the core of this event. Both as participants and as organizers. Essentially, our event is dedicated to giving Cleveland high-school students an amazing opportunity to meet with others who share their same interests, learn about, computer science, hardware, and coding. Culminating in creating a project in a team by collaborating with others and applying what they learn in creating an awesome project using provided hardware and taught skills with the support of our organizing team. Riley Bautista Hack The Land http://hacktheland.xyz United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/350945 2025-06-12T00:00:00Z 2025-06-13T01:49:19Z Upgrading to new mobile shelving is a game-changer for both safety and operational flow. By replacing our outdated, stationary units with sleek, movable systems, we’re creating a workspace that’s not only smarter but safer. Staff will be able to access items quickly and easily—no more awkward reaching, heavy lifting, or tight squeezes. The new shelving unlocks flexibility, maximizes our space, and keeps everything organized and within reach. It’s a powerful step forward that supports a faster, safer, and more efficient way to serve our community. Michelle Walsh Operational Space Upgrade http://www.goodsbankneo.org United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/336961 2025-06-12T00:00:00Z 2025-06-13T01:48:13Z This project promotes accessibility to the one of the regions largest natural resources: the Cuyahoga River. Equipping our communities with resources turns this regional divide into a place for recreation and togetherness. Trash Fish gets people of all walks of life into a kayak and onto the water cleaning up trash! Eddie paddles volunteers to places on the water where trash collects and provides an educational talk on the environmental justice issues regarding where plastics come from and how microplastics end up in Lake Erie which is the drinking water source for millions of people. As Trash Fishers are filling garbage bags full of garbage, they gain perspective on the destructive nature of single-use plastics. This exercise leads to ownership over our natural resources in a tangible and pragmatic approach. Reduce your consumption of plastic. As Cleveland Scene has put it, this project helps "teach Clevelanders the easiest way to clean the river is to fundamentally change how they behave as consumers from the start.” Anton Krieger Trash Fish https://trashfishcle.org/ United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/340812 2025-06-11T00:00:00Z 2025-06-30T12:31:37Z We have a program going on for instructor RC pilots where they get paired with a mentor. One thing we find is sometimes cost can be a barrier and we want to try and break that barrier. This is the concept but with their aircraft purchased though this program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMqxDOkb4iA Brian Daerr Free Planes for Kids! http://www.flywam.org United States Westminster, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/westminster tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/341583 2025-06-11T00:00:00Z 2025-06-12T02:32:09Z Our awesome project is putting together and funding the annual Firemen’s Fourth of July Parade and Bonfire in town. The parade is solely run on donations made to the association. A lot of work and money goes into running the parade and we try to make it better every year. Michael Elwell Firemens July Fourth Parade & Bonfire United States Rockport, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/rockport tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351063 2025-06-11T00:00:00Z 2025-06-17T23:01:43Z In collaboration with American Indian Health & Family Services (AIHFS), we’re hosting an Adventure Race for Native American youth in Detroit on August 14, 2025. Open to participants in our summer biking program, the event is free and designed to inspire outdoor exploration, teamwork, and cultural connection through hands-on learning in the outdoors. Up to 30 youth (ages 6–18) will be divided into teams, each guided by a trained adult mentor. Youth will navigate between stages using maps or clues and take on skills challenges at each transition, testing their knowledge of outdoor survival and cultural ecology, including water purification, fire-making, and plant identification. Activities will include biking, hiking, kayaking/canoeing, geocaching, and wayfinding. All adults involved have first aid training, and kayaking equipment will be provided by a local, minority- and woman-owned outfitter. Each participant will receive a custom medal or ribbon created by a Native artist, recognizing their accomplishments. This initiative reflects our commitment to equitable access to nature, culturally grounded youth development, and empowering Native youth through connection to land, community, and self. Kris Dantzler Luki Bikes Adventure Race http://www.lukibikes.org United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/348852 2025-06-10T00:00:00Z 2025-06-11T21:40:48Z My goal is simple, I want to make sack lunches or feminine hygiene bags for the unhoused people on my street in the mission and on Polk. There is a specific lady I see once a month and I know she can never remember me fully but she always ask me for bread bologna and mustard when she's hungry. I've always wanted to actually uplift my community I hope with these funds I can achieve that Brenda Casey Bray Feed SF Locals United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351171 2025-06-10T00:00:00Z 2025-06-11T13:24:39Z In the summer of 2025, two local nonprofits—Nourishing the North Shore and Three Sisters Garden Project—will partner to ensure that low-income residents of Ipswich, MA, continue to have reliable access to fresh, local food. Three Sisters Garden Project is relocating part of its operations after its landlord, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SND), changed the terms of a longstanding land-use agreement. As a result, Three Sisters will pause its weekly CSA distributions during the transition. To fill this temporary gap, Nourishing the North Shore will host three pop-up Free Farmers Markets at 3 Washington Street in Ipswich on August 26, September 9, and September 23. These markets will offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables at no cost to local low-income residents, helping to ensure continued food access during the five-week disruption. Tany Blasko Pop-up Free Farmers Market https://www.nourishingthenorthshore.org/ United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/343487 2025-06-10T00:00:00Z 2025-06-10T19:35:14Z The Bake Lab: Cooking Up Nutrition Welcome to The Bake Lab, where creativity and nutrition go hand in hand! This school-based baking group is all about mixing fun with purpose. Students work together to bake delicious, wholesome treats that support our school’s nutrition program. From healthy muffins to energy-boosting snacks, every item will be crafted with care and the goal of promoting better eating habits for all. Our baked goods will help supplement the nutrition program, ensuring every student has access to healthy, balanced meals. Meaghan Lilley The Bake Lab Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/345747 2025-06-10T00:00:00Z 2025-06-11T21:39:01Z he world is on fire, humans rights are being stripped away, and I’m crying at least once a week. Currently, our government is sliding into authoritarianism, gutting social programs, firing people, increasing surveillance, and making life harder for queer people. To Americans, this is new, but to Black Americans and immigrants — we used it to. So, why not tap into our Hooman resources and learn how to survive and prepare for what’s to come? The idea is to host a PowerPoint comedy show where immigrant comedians, activists and organizers provide tips on how to survive Authoritarianism. They will be providing tips on different topics such as Food, Medicine, Government/Policing, and Social Media. Examples include: if the FDA is going to be defunded, you should stock up on aspirin now as future products contaminations may not be caught as early. Another example: we expect grocery prices to rise, so if you’re struggling think of starting a hydroponic garden or joining your neighborhood community garden. Cynthia O How to survive Facism - a PowerPoint Comedy Show United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/347128 2025-06-10T00:00:00Z 2025-06-11T21:40:23Z I started Books & Barns because I wanted attend literary events that did not activate my social anxiety/PTSD, I wanted them to be close to where I live (Camp Meeker, Sonoma County), and I wanted spaces that valued intimacy. I'm deeply interested in community building and find myself struggling with social media's credos of 'more is better', echo-chambers, and 'it's not happening unless you are recording it.' I brought on my co-organizer Allegra Willson last season. We work together to cultivate a literary community that showcases rural writers reading in rural spaces for a community of folks who are hungry for writing that pushes past the pastoral and apple pie aesthetic (although we are fond of apples, pie, sheep, and the like). Typically, our events are held in rural spaces such a barns, river edges, farms, and butterfly sanctuaries. We bring iconic writers and poets such as D.A. Powell, Jacques Rancourt, Manjula Martin, and Eirinie Carson to audiences who would not usually have access to them (or at least would have to drive to SF), and not only that, we do so with a bit of mystery. Audience members register for our events without knowing where the location will be, and they are emailed directions the night prior. Some of our events are no-talking events; imagine a group of people filtering into a barn with only the sound of thrush singing. We ask participants not to take photos and to turn their phones off if possible, harkening back to a time when we were more present to ourselves and the people around us. Events are carefully curated to feel like experiences, intimate and welcoming, magical and accessible. As you can imagine, we love word-of-mouth outreach. We have an IG account where we post events, and from there, people share them with people who might be interested. Last summer, we invested in a few posters and flyers. Our events are completely free, and so far, every single one has been filled to capacity. Kelly Gray Books & Barns https://www.instagram.com/booksandbarns_aliterarything/ United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351832 2025-06-09T00:00:00Z 2025-06-10T01:32:00Z On Saturday 6/21/25, Central Floridians will see fun and unique musical performances take place across their community. It might be a string quartet playing in a grocery store, or a kazoo choir performing in a storefront, or a singer-songwriter on the steps of the Orange County Administration Building, all day and all for free. Dozens of cities across the United States (and several countries around the globe!) celebrate Make Music Day annually on June 21st, and this year, we want Orange County to experience the joy of free live music throughout the community, too! Orange County will celebrate its inaugural Make Music Day in 2025, with musical performances at the Orange County Administration Center, the Orange County Multicultural Center, and at private businesses throughout the County (such as Bynx Coffee and Maxine’s on Shine.) Anyone can sign up to host a performance, or to give a musical performance, so long as it is free to attend. An online website provides “matchmaking” services to connect musicians and host locations to make the process easy – that same website also lists all of the performances happening so residents and visitors can check out free music in their community! United Arts of Central Florida and Orange County’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs will work together to support the celebration. United Arts serves as the partner of record, and the Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs staff maintains the Make Music Day website and matchmaking website required to connect artists with host venues. Both organizations will promote the celebration to artists, venues, and audiences. In its inaugural year, Make Music Orange County will have approximately one dozen performances at four host locations throughout Orange County, with expectations to grow and expand in 2026 and beyond. Jennifer Evins A Day of Free Music all Around Orange County https://www.makemusicday.org/orangecounty/listings/artists United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/334365 2025-06-06T00:00:00Z 2025-06-06T17:00:05Z Every year from June through to September, there is a high risk of Nyungwe forest in Rwanda catching fire. These fires are due to wild honey hunters .To avoid these fires, the wild honey hunters can be identified and can be helped to start a beekeeping project around the Nyungwe buffer zone. They can be equipped with material necessary for beekeeping and honey harvesting, They also need to be educated about the importance of the natural forest to their community, to the country and the whole world at large. Eddy Rangira Beekeeping to preserve natural forests http://www.loverwandainitiative.org.rw Worldwide Conservation and Climate https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/conservationandclimate tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351367 2025-06-04T00:00:00Z 2025-06-04T11:37:14Z A one-day wellness experience designed for Black women in Sydney. The event offers rest, reflection, and reconnection through yoga, guided conversation, sound healing, and community-building. It features Black women facilitators and spotlights wellness education rooted in cultural relevance. We’ve hosted it successfully once and would love to run another in a different part of Sydney, expanding our reach. Wellness spaces often lack cultural safety and representation. This project offers a space where Black women feel seen, safe, and celebrated — with programming designed specifically for their mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It includes sessions with Black women experts, like a nutritionist/doctor speaking on gut health and hormones, supporting a holistic approach to wellness. The day also uplifts local Black practitioners and fosters real community connection. This event will directly support around 25 Black women in Sydney through culturally safe, accessible wellness programming. It supports long-term community wellbeing, empowers women with knowledge about their bodies and health, and strengthens a growing network of Black-led wellness practitioners. The format is repeatable, with future events exploring other key topics like mental health, menopause, and intergenerational healing. Annette Cole Amplify Black Women – Wellness Day Series http://www.abwsydau.org Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/343133 2025-06-04T00:00:00Z 2025-06-05T21:10:16Z RETUNE operates 5 days a week Monday to Friday, to work with 28 attendees over the year to teach fine woodworking of stringed instrument construction and repair, CNC machine software and use, as well as reclaiming old unused hand tools specific to the workshop environment. RETUNES motto (Reclaim your Potential) is twofold. Reclaiming and reusing wood and tools and reclaiming and reusing the individual’s potential To reclaim and reuse these tools as an example of RETUNES motto (Reclaim your Potential) this engages the personal development plan for each participant done in weekly stages with the learning manual. Our target groups are Veterans/Ex-service personnel, Adult Autistic, Long term DWP and those who identify as severely isolated. We are based in Easterhouse, one of Glasgow’s most deprived communities and the bulk of our current participants are drawn from the local area We help to address individual issues who suffer isolation that are affected with PTSD and many others, with needs ranging from mental health diagnosis, physical disabilities to family breakdown. we operate 2 specific manuals for attendees, one is the learning manual that takes participants on weekly tasks towards learning skills and constructing their instruments, the other is a personal development manual that each person completes on a monthly basis on areas of their lives and issues, where these have been addressed and what they have identified as benefiting or blocking a move on process. We utilise the ‘Cycle of Change’ model a CBT model, is a talking therapy that can help individuals manage their problems by changing the way they think and behave utilising the creative process, It's most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems. In the project this serves to boost individual social skills, confidence, direction, decrease isolation, improve a sense of wellbeing, and contribute to greater autonomy and independence, David McHarg Reclaim Your Potential https://www.facebook.com/theretuneproject United Kingdom Glasgow https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/glasgow tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/351173 2025-06-02T00:00:00Z 2025-06-03T01:09:06Z WaterWalkers” is a community-based mini-initiative that introduces underserved youth to water conservation and personal development through hands-on water education and guided weekend shoreline walks. This innovative program combines physical activity walking alongside Nairobi river, environmental learning (on-site water quality demos and clean-ups), and youth mentorship. It is designed to build knowledge, confidence, and care for our most precious resource — water. It’s simple but powerful: Walking a river trail with a guide and peers, picking up trash, testing water quality, and talking about life. It connects people, nature, and purpose: Youth connect with their environment and learn the importance of clean water, teamwork, leadership, and responsibility. It’s fun and educational: We blend STEM learning (water pH testing, litter tracking) with creative expression (journals, art from reclaimed waste). It will benefit 30–50 local youth (ages 10–17) from underserved neighborhoods Esther Misente Maangi WaterWalkers http://periodpride.org Worldwide On the Water https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/onthewater tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/343162 2025-05-31T00:00:00Z 2025-06-27T01:14:34Z May’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Nieve Xiao to bring young musicians together with seniors through [Sound of Life] (http://soundoflife.ca). “Sound of Life,” explains Nieve, “is a group of youth musicians from across Ottawa bringing music and joy into retirement homes. We have over 50 volunteers and are entirely organized and run by our board of seven high school students.” “Our organization brings about intergenerational learning and interaction,” she continues, “fuelling connection across the community. Music has also been shown to have an immense benefit to dementia and other memory related illnesses that come with old age.” “I am in grade 11 at Lisgar Collegiate Institute and have volunteered in retirement homes for three years,” she says. “I have had many interactions with people with dementia or forms of it, and have realized the need for adaptive therapies to aid them in their wellbeing. As an avid musician and two-time provincial finalist in piano, I decided to bring two aspects of my life together to found Sound of Life.” Nieve and the team plan to use the award to build homemade instruments to give to residents so they can play along during performances. Nieve Xiao Sound of Life http://soundoflife.ca Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/346615 2025-05-31T00:00:00Z 2025-06-09T21:26:13Z Scoliosis patients, consisting of 6-9 million people nationally, have unusually curved spines that, alongside visible deformity, may cause arthritis, disrupted breathing, and other health issues. The most vulnerable population are young girls, who are disproportionately affected by juvenile idiopathic scoliosis. Unfortunately, as a patient myself, I experienced the stigma and isolation often associated with deformity. I started ScoliPoly to address the disjointed nature of the scoliosis community. Our nonprofit initiative is dedicated to demystifying scoliosis and challenging societal stigmas through educational resources, awareness campaigns, and outreach. Currently operating in New Jersey, New York, and two international locations, ScoliPoly’s primary function is to provide informational resources to schools, hospitals, and other youth venues in the chapter area. We are unique in providing a community that is not only catered towards a specific disease and its variations, but also reaches out directly to youth groups, rather than being limited to individual patients. Our free booklets describe the treatment, symptoms, and implications of scoliosis. Having now distributed over 5,000, I’m thrilled with the impact ScoliPoly has made on girls like me. Our social media, which includes fun facts about scoliosis and Q&A videos with scoliosis professionals, has already reached over 10,000 in views and engagement. We also offer a blog for youth authors (17 unique publications) and an online “wardrobe” of brace-friendly outfit recommendations (24 contributions). The ScoliPoly community of sympathetic and inclusive patients is now, to my immense pride, the exact type of environment I would have thrived in as a newly diagnosed preteen. As we reach out to more locations across our chapter areas, we hope to expand our community of ~15 partnering schools, hospitals, and youth centers. **What our grantee is saying:** Receiving the Awesome Disability grant will be no doubt transformative for my project and team. Working out of a small budget, yet remaining committed to providing free access to our resources, ScoliPoly has often struggled to balance the needs of scoliotic community members with our financial limitations. Despite forming partnerships with schools and hospitals in our chapter areas, said limitations have placed delays on our work with them at the expense of thousands of children that lack the information necessary to accurately assess their back health. A single Awesome grant, however, can expand our educational services to up to 5,000 more children. We’re so excited to use Awesome’s generous award to produce new informational pamphlets, streamline our online resources, and reach out to our community’s most vulnerable. The ScoliPoly team is incredibly grateful for the Foundation’s support! Eve Parrott ScoliPoly https://www.scolipoly.com Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/341402 2025-05-31T00:00:00Z 2025-06-09T20:08:21Z We're pleased to announce that our May grant has been awarded to the Soap Box Derby team at PS 72 in the Bronx. Did you know that NYC is home to an active and growing Soap Box Derby community? 45 schools participated in this year's local competition, with the car from PS 72 coming in 4th place. Students at the school participate twice a week in their after school program, learning how to build their cars and preparing for competition. Run out of the school's STEAM maker space, the program brings in kids who might not otherwise be interested in their other after school offerings. In their own words: _We're a team of elementary school students from PS 72 in the Bronx preparing for our 2025–2026 Soap Box Derby season! We’ll be using the Awesome NYC grant to purchase team uniforms and help fund a special field trip to a go-kart facility. Since we’re a city school with very limited space, our last team practiced driving in the aisle of the auditorium! The trip will give students a safe and fun way to get a feel for driving before race day._ _Want to support or participate with our team?_ * _Sponsor our team financially_ * _Donate items for our race day event_ * _Come out to cheer us on in person!_ _More information is available on our [team website](https://sites.google.com/schools.nyc.gov/ps-72x-steam-program/soap-box-derby-team?authuser=0) and check out our Grants & Sponsorship page on the site for specific ways to contribute or get involved._ This was only the second year of Soap Box at PS 72 (which has now grown to 2 cars), and we can't wait to see how the program continues to grow in the future. Marla Schneider Soap Box Derby Race https://sites.google.com/schools.nyc.gov/ps-72x-steam-program/soap-box-derby-team?authuser=0 United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/349161 2025-05-31T00:00:00Z 2025-06-07T14:13:04Z My Big Fat Pop Up (MBFP) was born out of a shared passion between my sister and I to support small, BIPOC, and women-owned businesses through intentional shopping and community. What started as a personal mission quickly became a vibrant platform for over 400 local brands—from fashion and beauty to home, food and lifestyle—connecting them with loyal customers through curated pop-up events and digital content. We’ve hosted seven events with a high vendor return rate and thousands of attendees. Our goal is always to drive sustainability by celebrating emerging brands, connect young entrepreneurs and generate much needed revenue for local companies. The Awesome Foundation grant will fund the development and launch of our official website and expanding our social media presence, to help us host more curated pop-ups with small and medium enterprises in Toronto. Kanmali Osode My Big Fat Pop Up Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/345418 2025-05-31T00:00:00Z 2025-06-08T17:49:33Z We are seeking funding to support a week of hands-on science workshops for children in Liverpool. The workshops will be run by Cambridge Hands-On Science (CHaOS), a student-run science outreach group from the University of Cambridge. Every summer, CHaOS takes a van full of exciting science experiments and a team of friendly volunteers around the country to deliver workshops to children from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in STEM, with the goal of showing them that science is interesting, fun and important! This year, CHaOS is planning to visit Liverpool from July 26 to August 1 to run a week of science workshops in local libraries. The workshops will feature around fourteen hands-on experiments, each with a demonstrator. The families will be able to move between the experiments, having a go at the hands-on aspects and discussing the science with the demonstrators. The experiments come from across STEM, and some of the most popular ones include a collection of animal skulls, making mini explosions using lemon juice and bicarb of soda, and building a bridge that the children can walk across. CHaOS aims to widen participation in STEM by providing children with exciting STEM experiences and the opportunity to talk to real scientists (our demonstrators), thus encouraging them to continue to study STEM and aspire to a career in STEM, and challenging stereotypes around what a scientist looks like. We reach children from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in STEM by targeting areas with low progression to tertiary education. The workshops are free for families to attend. We aim to reach 1000 people across seven events with a budget of £2500, meaning the project will cost only £2.50 per person reached. Our largest expenses come from catering for, transporting and accommodating our volunteers. As part of our mission to disprove stereotypes around STEM, we encourage diversity in our volunteering body by covering all costs associated with volunteering. Jessica Trevelyan Hands-On Science in Liverpool http://chaosscience.org.uk United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/liverpool