Awesome Foundation - Projects

Birmingham, AL (Inactive) – Dream Makerz

2017-04-10T00:00:00Z

In January 2016, Hiranda Brock, a master cosmetologist and licensed cosmetology instructor started Dream Makerz in order to provide young girls and women with motivation and empowerment to move forward and follow their dreams. She created the organization to inspire others to "look good, feel better, and do best." With her organization, Hiranda creates beautiful opportunities through professional salon experiences and through those experiences she inspires a mindset transformation, daring those she serves to discover and develop their own dreamz by tapping into their life purpose

Los Angeles, CA – Culinary Arts Kids Eat

2017-04-08T00:00:00Z

Culinary Arts Kids Eat (“CAKE”) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization created in 2012 to enrich, engage and educate youth in South Central Los Angeles. The C A K E program, empowers youth with opportunities to develop professional culinary skills, offering hands on training in the restaurant and hospitality industry as well as developing important life skills through a dynamic wellness program. C A K E currently operates as an after-school program at Santee Educational Complex, one of the most under served communities in Los Angeles. The South Central neighborhood where our students live is considered a food desert, whereby fresh, healthy, affordable food is not available. Most students suffer from preventable diseases; diabetes and obesity. With the knowledge our students gain they now make healthy food choices. Youth enrolled in the After School w/ CAKE program will learn how to set up a hydroponic grow system and how to grow organic produce in the soil. They will be trained in professional culinary arts and create a healthy recipe. Students will design a brand and logo for their product and learn the art of entrepreneurship. They will sell their item at the Farmers Market and keep the profits. Our goal (2018) is to open a local co-op market café in the neighborhood where fresh, locally grown food may be sold along with “High Quality Rapid Cuisine” (fresh health already prepared meals). Students study health, wellness and nutrition. They learn about the brain, the heart and which foods will keep them in balance. They practice mindful meditation, stress management and yoga. These tools will help keep them grounded and able to cope with the many challenges that life might have. Sports are also played, encouraging our youth to stay active and recognizing that with not much green space in their community, it is difficult.

Annapolis, NS (Inactive) – AWEC Dance Marathon

2017-04-07T00:00:00Z

"This generation fighting for the next". That's how Gemma Tompkins won the hearts of the trustees of Annapolis to support her pitch for the IWK Children's Miracle Network dance marathon fundraiser being held at AWEC on May 4th. The dance marathon brings the community together, from adults to children, in raising money, supporting a good cause, having fun, and raising awareness. 100% of the funds raised stay local and support local kids. They invited the other local high schools to join them to make the event bigger and reach a larger audience. They are hoping to be able to make this an annual event with setting even bigger goals for raising money next year than the $10K they're aiming for this year. There will not only be a dance, but zumba, face painting, crafts with the IWK kids, food, bouncy castles, and much much more. Join them - May 4th.

Oakland, CA (Inactive) – Four Headed Records

2017-04-06T00:00:00Z

Being a musician is genuinely hard. Simply affording instruments is a barrier to creativity. Beyond that, the cost to record, manufacture and distribute an album is monetarily impossible for many musicians. For this reason, creativity becomes stifled, community suffers and self-expression is repressed. To solve this problem, we are developing a DIY, VHS Tape Label called Four Headed Records. It will be the only VHS Tape Label in existence and will be the first of its kind. Simply put, Four Headed Records will release albums on VHS Tapes instead of Cassette Tapes, CDs or Vinyl. But why VHS? There are many reasons! It hasn't been done before, the medium is inexpensive, it allows musicians to release music and video in one package and VHS tape quality is surprisingly awesome! Our project will be free and will benefit underserved musicians from Oakland. To get the community on-board, we will feature new artists each month. Each release will include two bands, one from Oakland, and one from any other part of the world. By connecting underserved musicians from different parts of the world, we inspire new creative bonds while simultaneously building a bridge between various underserved music communities. With each new release, Four Headed Records will gradually archive Oakland’s distinct musical voice. In this way, we will impact thousands of Oakland based musicians for generations to come. Our outreach plan includes: • Getting public service announcements on college radio and public access TV stations • Teaming up with local venues like Oakland Secret • Doing outreach at local concerts, open mics, local music communities, online forums and social media • And Partnering with local recording studios like Santo Studios to find artists With your help, Four Headed Records will transform the VHS medium into a lean mean community-building machine. We will preserve our musical past, while inspiring our musical future.

Piqua, OH (Inactive) – Piqua Love Locks

2017-04-05T00:00:00Z

I would like to build a “love lock” structure as an outdoor interactive art installation in Piqua. The most famous example of a love lock structure is the bridge in Paris where lovers would place a padlock on the bridge and throw away the key as a symbol of their love. Many people write or carve their names into the locks. I would like to build a freestanding love lock structure where the people of Piqua can place their own love locks to show their love for each other or to honor those they have lost. I can build the structure and base, including a built in key trap where keys can be "thrown away" within the structure. I would need to work with the city about where the structure could be placed and getting any necessary permission for the project. (Maybe at lock 9—love locks at lock 9? But anywhere would be fine.) I want it to be a part of our city-- someplace people come to see. It would be fun to do some kind of unveiling or ribbon-cutting ceremony with a symbolic placing of the first lock on the structure by a couple from the community.

Piqua, OH (Inactive) – Farm to Table Dinner

2017-04-05T00:00:00Z

The idea is to provide a Farm to Table Dinner experience for our community members to enjoy. What does this mean? It means supporting our local growers by using their produce in a dinner menu that has been created for that particular evening. Where would this Farm to Table dinner take place? The location of the dinner has not been decided upon at the time of this application. However, there are several locations in mind, they are listed below: • Piqua’s very own community garden at Pitsenbarger Park. With this location community members may experience a place that they may have never known about until now. • Downtown Piqua, in front of the Fort Piqua Library, after the Farmer’s Market on a Thursday evening. • Johnston’s Farm • Or a place to be determined What would this dinner look like? There would be a row of tables and chairs uniquely decorated that would spread down the center of the chosen location for seating of 60 to 70 people, with white lights strung around the area. The food would be served buffet style with volunteers overseeing the serving table. We will work with the Piqua Health Dept. to know what the regulations are in regards to the food prep. and serving. The menu would include: • Several different kinds of salads • Local vegetables • Meat: possibly pork or beef from local farmer • Desserts that include fresh fruits • Several choices of beverages *all dishes mentioned made with fresh, local ingredients Who is helping support this idea? Mainstreet Piqua (Farmer’s Market), the City of Piqua, local growers and individual community members of Piqua. Who is able to attend the Farm to Table Dinner? And is there a cost? This dinner would be open to anyone who would like to attend. The cost would be a $15.00 donation per ticket. With the idea being, the donations would be seed money for next year’s farm to table dinner.

Paris (Inactive) – Un regard pour toi

2017-04-04T00:00:00Z

Face à l'habillement, les déficients visuels sont soit dépendants de leur entourage, soit livrés à eux-mêmes. Soigner son apparence est un vecteur essentiel d'insertion sociale et professionnelle pour des non-voyants dans la société. « Un regard pour toi » intervient pour rendre les déficients visuels autonomes dans leurs achats vestimentaires, en trouvant des moyens pour décrire le vêtement, l'allure, les codes vestimentaires. Nous venons de mettre au point un système de marquage qui permettra de broder sur les vêtements du braille ou des symboles grâce auxquels les déficients visuels pourront assortir leurs vêtements en toute autonomie. When it comes to dressing, visually impaired people are either dependent on others, or left to themselves. Taking care of your appearance is essential for your social and professional integration. “Un regard pour toi” helps visually impaired people to become autonomous in their shopping, by finding ways to describe the clothes, the style, the fashion codes. We recently developed a tagging system of Braille and symbols that are embroidered on clothes, and thanks to which visually impaired people can choose and match their clothes in complete autonomy.

Atlanta, GA (Inactive) – First Generation Hope Scholarship

2017-04-03T00:00:00Z

First Generation Hope Scholarship is an annual project hosted by Elite Sisterhood, Inc, that provides the graduating seniors with book scholarships for college. Founded in 2016, the initiative has been supported through individual donors and fundraising activities. In the spring of 2016, Atlanta based designer Tracy Nicole hosted 'Shop For a Purpose" a pop up shop that dedicated a portion of each sale to the First Generation Hope Scholarship Fund. Last year, 75 % of the participants of the senior members in Elite Sisterhood, Inc. were first generation college attendees. 33% of the members were first generation high school graduates. As we strive to promote education among our young ladies, we offer the scholarships as a level of support to inspire and encourage them to remain steadfast in their academic journeys. Furthermore, the First Generation Hope Scholarship fosters a sense of accomplishment and encourages the young ladies to continue to achieve their dreams. According to the New York Times, "70% of college students who drop out attribute it to finances." Our goal is to provide a foundation for the young ladies to receive a jumpstart with a positive experience in college. In May 2017, we will have 7 of our 10 Elite Sisterhood, Inc. members who will be first generation college attendees. It is vital that our organization supports these young ambitious leaders. The Awesome Foundation Grant will enable us to provide book scholarships for these deserving scholars.

Liverpool (Inactive) – Around The World in 80 Films!

2017-04-03T00:00:00Z

In 2018 I'm aiming to travel the world and produce 80 short films. I'd like the first of these films to be made in my home City of Liverpool. Along my route I want produce interesting and engaging short video projects with creative and unique organisations. I will be visiting 5 continents and dozens of countries, painting a picture of some of the incredible events, people, places and organisations that occupy this wonderful planet we all share. I would like my first project to be a short film about some of the amazing projects YOU have funded, in exchange for your £500 donation. This would then be the first of my 80 films.

Stockholm (Inactive) – Tech Missionary

2017-04-03T00:00:00Z

Tech missionary has found that the fastest way to empower young people is to get hands-on with technology. Through creative technology young people can explore and grow and learn leadership and confidence skills from working together in a team. Oh, and did we mention its also a hell of a lot of fun? Tech missionary runs creative maths courses for 14 year olds in the Stockholm suburbs. Awesome Foundation Stockholm will fund a 3-week course in Fittja for 20 students with diverse cultural backgrounds with the aim of making a difference through technology. The course includes tailor-made visits to the coolest companies and researchers in Stockholm to inspire and expand their horizons. “I think this is one of the most important issues for the future - that more people understand that their ideas matter and that they can change the world.”

Washington, DC – Elementary School Vertical Gardening

2017-04-02T00:00:00Z

We currently work with three DC elementary schools, one of which is in a food dessert in SE DC. We teach the students how to use minimal space to maximize a harvest by using vertical gardening systems and hydroponics. We teach children every aspect of urban gardening, from composting, the importance of bees and worms, seeds, zoning and crop planning for harvest and retail. Our unique vertical system illustrates to the children and their families that even a small space - a balcony or window - can provide healthy, cost-effective, locally grown produce. We also encourage projects such as creative ways to recycle commonly used school items, such as milk cartons. And, we offer a CSA program pick-up at all three schools that include fresh DC -grown produce (some from the school garden), recipes and samples of finished products that they can make from the produce, such as hot sauce. We also have locations that students can travel to and learn more about urban farming, such as the rooftop garden at Nationals Stadium and Barracks Grow, a formerly unused space that is now a community hub.

Newcastle – Flexible Food Bus Hire

2017-03-31T00:00:00Z

Flexible Food is about supporting socially isolated over 65's, with a meal component. Lack of socialisation is the root cause of many ongoing issues with older people. It can cause: Depression Lack of appetite Poor nutrition leading to malnutrition Falls due to malnutrition 60% of hospitalisations of over 65's can be directly related to malnutrition and its ongoing affects on a person's health. During our Meal Program Assessments, we identify those at risk of social isolation and encourage them to join our small group outings. Trained staff and volunteers work with these clients individually and as a group to ensure they feel valued and supported. Clients are encouraged to take ownership of the outings, helping devise the monthly calendar. Some attend Cooking for One or Two classes, to encourage them to enjoy producing meals again, and our Lunch with a Sailor initiative is very popular, particularly with our veterans. However, most just enjoy a visit to their local club to have a beer (or a glass of wine) and a meal with good company, something they are unable to do with out our support. Our program has had some 'awesome' results: -clients have developed a social network, something many of us take for granted - who wants to eat a meal on their own all the time? -appetites have improved as clients are enjoying eating again -health has improved as better meal choices are encouraged -reduction in depressive episodes and use of medication -light exercise, such as seniors ten pin bowling, is improving mobility, considerably reducing risk of falls -most importantly, our clients have learned to laugh and enjoy life again! As an added bonus, our volunteers who support this group are giving back to their community and are generating their own self worth and esteem. This grant will help us to help more over 65's!!

San Jose, CA – Spartan Keyes Spring Egg Hunt and Pet Parade

2017-03-31T00:00:00Z

CommUniverCity is teaming up with Spartan Keyes community to host a Spring celebration at a Spartan Keyes neighborhood park. Our goal is to gather the members of the community together and present an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other. We are planning a two-hour event with a children's egg hunt, holiday crafts, costume pet parade, and a special appearance from the Easter Bunny, himself.

Oosterhout, Noord-Brabant (Inactive) – BOMBAST

2017-03-31T00:00:00Z

BOMBAST Dé oernar die door een vloek onder Oosterhout is gegroeid en van daaruit deze bourgondische stad voedt met al het goeds. Hij is hét DNA van alles wat er in deze stad groeit, bloeit en leeft en eeuwige vechter tegen zuurpruimerij en chagrijn. Zo luidt de korte omschrijving van BOMBAST. Bombast is meer! Het is een totaalconcept. Naast een nieuw ontdekte sage welke dit jaar in boekvorm uit zal komen is het een concept met vele uitwerkingen. De stichting zelf gaat aan de slag met: - Het boek - Het kinderboek - Een aantal landmarks - Een stadstour middels een augmented reality app welke de kunstwerken door BOMBAST zelf virtueel met elkaar gaat verbinden. Het project is niet alleen van de stichting, BOMBAST is aan Oosterhout geschonken. Een aantal Oosterhouters zijn al aan de slag gegaan. Zo is er inmiddels: - BOMBAST bier - BOMBASTJES (kleine Oosterhoutse Kaneelstokjes) - BOMBASTOOFSCHOTEL (een gerecht wat op iedere menukaart past) - BOMBAST brood - BOMBAST burger Daarnaast zijn er een 25 tal initiatieven ingediend waar men mee aan de slag wil. Op een speciale terugkomdag gaan we deze verzamelen, combineren en verder brengen. Wie officieel via de stichting zijn idee verder brengt, maakt kans op ons BOMBAST predicaat. Wie dit ontvangt krijgt steun vanuit onze stichting o.a. in promotie en organisatie. Alle gelden welke Stichting BOMBAST int komen ten goede aan de Stichting en haar doelen!

Libraries (Inactive) – 100 Years...100 Selfies!

2017-03-31T00:00:00Z

We are pleased to announce our very first grant recipient: 100 years…100 selfies. The Warehouse Project & Gallery {TWP&G} is located in Summit, Illinois and is a brave space for all young people looking for creative and artistic ways to create positive social and neighborhood change. This initiative encourages youth to take artistic risks, explore issues they are passionate about, engage in challenging conversations, and offer creative and artistic solutions to issues in their community. Founded in April of 2013, TWP&G aims to provide all youth in the community with a voice and an opportunity to be heard while encouraging them to use artistic avenues to explore and create art in all forms that inspire change. In collaboration with the Summit Public Library, TWP&G youth will profile 100 residents from the Summit community to celebrate the library’s upcoming centennial. The exhibit, 100 years…100 selfies, consisting of interviews and photographs, will be displayed in library throughout the year. This project will honor the tremendous contributions the library has made to the community over the last 100 years and allow the members of TWP&G to utilize their artistic talents to document and narrate the community’s appreciation for its public library. By documenting the 100 years…100 selfies project, TWP&G will create a template for other communities to replicate in showing support for their public libraries. What our grantee has to say: “TWPG is forever grateful to the Summit Public Library for its commitment to the community and for allowing us a physical space to hold programming when we were in our infancy. This project is our way of giving back for the many things they have given us and the community at large.” -Meredith Schilsky, President & Chief Creative Director at The Warehouse Project & Gallery What our trustees have to say: “I was impressed by the way this project brought together community collaboration and engagement with creativity, social history and library advocacy activities. This sounds like a wonderful way to rally the community around the library. The physical exhibition sounds like an excellent opportunity to bring your community together.” The approach to celebrating the centennial for the library is a great idea and I am sure many library patrons will enjoy the exhibition.” “This application is timely for the events they wish to promote. It is well thought out and includes elements of research, conducting oral histories, photography and design.” “Really lovely way to recognize the library and its patrons for their commitment to this institution.” You can learn more about the Summit Public Library here Learn more about The Warehouse Project & Gallery by watching this video

San Antonio, TX – Vertical Dance Wall

2017-03-31T00:00:00Z

I can completely change your perspective on dance by shifting the floor we stand on to a wall. Through this project, not only can I change your perspective on viewing dance, you and the San Antonio community can experience it yourself! Vertical dance is a physical art form that suspends dancers on a wall with ropes and harnesses to seemingly defy gravity by dancing on vertical surfaces. This type of performance provokes awe, wonder, and inspiration through its innate beauty. Audience members and participants will experience flight and movement through an entirely different visual and gravitational pull. Vertical dance is also an effective full body work out that strengthens the core, upper and lower body, and builds endurance. I want to bring vertical dance to San Antonio and make it accessible to everyone here. My company, Aerial Horizon, is San Antonio’s only professional aerial performance company and school. Since 2009, Aerial Horizon has created a thriving aerial community where none existed before. We are currently building one of the only custom aerial studios in the nation that is putting San Antonio on the map as an aerial arts hub. We have the necessary equipment to continue offering classes on aerial silks, hoop, trapeze, rope, sling, and more, but we’re looking for funding to create a new vertical dance program with ropes and harnesses. Many students find harness work more accessible than other aerial classes because it doesn’t require climbing fabric or doing pull ups on your first day of class. After putting on a harness and clipping into a rope, you’re ready to go! The feeling of flying is immediate. Students and professionals alike squeal with glee and joy is a part of every class. Our classes are designed for all body types, ages, genders–-everyone is welcome! Conquering the aerial arts makes you feel like you can overcome anything. You’ll leave every aerial harness class feeling empowered, strong, and free after flying through the air!

North Minneapolis, MN – North Community Theater Presents Shrek The Musical

2017-03-31T00:00:00Z

North Community Theater is a new effort to bring accessible, intergenerational theater experiences to the Northside. Community theaters have a robust presence around the metro, providing groups of all ages and experience a fun way to be part of something, be it on stage, backstage, in the pit or in the audience. With the support of North HS (letting us rehearse and perform in the Auditorium, covering the costs of rights and script rentals), and the energy of an ever widening circle of support, we have gotten off the ground. Shrek is more than halfway through the rehearsal process and has attracted North HS students and staff, neighbors and their kids, theater lovers, volunteers to work on sets and now musicians to play in the pit orchestra. Partnerships have naturally emerged, the North HS Dance Ensemble and students from Brightwater Montessori will each be featured in a dance number i in the show. Sanctuary Convenant Church is hosting a community meal before the Sunday matinee, Hopewell Music School, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Morris Park Players, Edison HS and many more have donated space, costumes, set pieces etc. all signaling a desire to this project succeed and continue. The amount of enthusiasm and joy in the room is moving. Seeing teens mentor younger kids, Moms forge new friendships, alumni and others with ties to the community work hard and learn things together, reinforces that our process will leave just as lasting an imprint on the cast as we hope the performance will leave on the audience. In fact, it is amazing to us that we have not spent more than a few hundred dollars so far to produce a show that will see close to 50 on stage, with more in the orchestra and backstage and even more who have dropped by a scenic work day to pitch in. Tickets for the 4 performances will be pay what you can, in order to make it accessible to all.

Rio de Janeiro (Inactive) – doebem

2017-03-30T00:00:00Z

De acordo com pesquisa do Instituto para Desenvolvimento do Investimento Social (IDIS - 2015), os três principais motivos que impedem as pessoas de doarem são a falta de recursos, a desconfiança nas organizações sem fins lucrativos e más experiências com doação. Existe uma preocupação em encontrar organizações de confiança que usem seus recursos de forma eficiente na promoção de impacto positivo. Por isso, a doebem foi criada como uma nova experiência de doação, baseada na confiança e na eficiência. Através de uma plataforma online, a doebem conecta pessoas dispostas a realizarem doações financeiras com organizações sociais eficientes, aquelas que proporcionam o maior impacto pelo valor doado. As organizações são selecionadas com base em critérios rigorosos de gestão (ex. equipe, foco e organização), transparência (ex. relatórios financeiros e prestação de contas) e impacto social (ex. relatórios de atividades, estudos científicos sobre a intervenção e impacto pelo valor investido). Dessa forma, a doebem promove a cultura de doação, capta recursos para organizações eficientes e, assim, maximiza impacto positivo. Para fazer uma doação, o potencial doador acessa a plataforma da doebem (www.doebem.org.br), seleciona a causa com a qual mais se identifica, e, então, visualiza as organizações recomendadas e suas respectivas análises. Em seguida, seleciona o período e o valor de sua doação. O doador também terá acesso a um dashboard para que possa acompanhar o impacto da sua doação. A doebem tem como missão reinventar o processo de doação, tornando-o mais seguro, simples e confiável. No longo prazo, além da expansão para outros países da América Latina, a doebem estuda o seu funcionamento na estrutura do blockchain, proporcionando ao processo uma transparência e confiança nunca antes experimentadas entre quem ajuda e quem está sendo ajudado.

Twin Cities, MN (Inactive) – The Wildflower Project

2017-03-29T00:00:00Z

We are The Wildflower Project (TWP). We install wildflower gardens in urban environments and underutilized or vacant spaces. Our mission is to revitalize and restore the health & wellness of pollinator habitats; to bring vibrant, natural beauty to our urban, industrialized communities; to foster education and community development through volunteerism and partnerships; and to take spaces with no hope, and give them a purpose. We’re a grassroots organization founded in St. Paul, Minn. in the summer of 2015. We are three guys who care about the environment and our community. We see an opportunity to be a good neighbor – to all those who inhabit our ecosystem. These gardens are vital to the rehabilitation of pollinator habitats. Our project aims to reconcile with nature in a way. Human development has destroyed countless ecosystems, and we're only now learning the harsh impact that it has on our agriculture and food supply. By targeting areas that have fallen between the cracks, or partnering with like-minded organizations, we can begin to bring pockets of nature (and the pollinators) back to our urban communities. In our short time working on this project, we have partnered with 2 community gardens, a local rec center/city park, and our local community council. We believe these partnerships are the most effective way to draw in volunteers and show them first hand how be good stewards of the Earth. Our 2016 goal is to plant 2,000 sq. ft. of wildflower garden. We have 3 more garden installations planned for this fall which will exceed our year-one goal. In 2017, our goal is to plant 5,000 sq. feet around Minneapolis and St. Paul, build 5 additional partnerships, and host 2 volunteer events. The idea is simple. The impact could be substantial. And it only starts with a seed. Simply put, we are planting with a purpose. #TWP

Melbourne (Inactive) – Pay A sack Forward

2017-03-29T00:00:00Z

Pay A Sack Forward (PASF) offers frontline support to those experiencing homelessness, sleeping rough, or individuals at risk of homelessness. As we grow we'll endeavour to look into the needs of our dinosaur community. PASF offers survival sacks containing essential food, hygiene and warmth supplies, which are distributed through supporting service channels and by our own volunteer staff. Our Melbourne headquarters “St Kilda Courtyard” doubles as a social enterprise cafe. The space is open to the community, offering an educational and hands on experience to the public. The community is encouraged to become engaged with issues surrounding homelessness. One way this is encouraged is through our on-site packing station, stocked with all the items that fill the survival sacks. Community members are offered an interactive and tangible experience that contributes to helping people in need. The sacks help meet a basic human need to those that are at a disadvantage and the space itself promotes a inclusive, shared and positive community that does not shy away from the issues in their community. A fully stocked packing station will allows us to hold a Winter Warmer Packing and Education day. This will be an organised event outside our walk in packing opportunities. The education day will allow the community to come together, pack some sacks, discuss the issues surrounding homelessness, how they can make a difference and how we, as a whole can make a difference. Pay A Sack is entirely community supported. This means we don’t always have the resources to keep our packing station stocked and ready to go for the community and packing days. We would love to keep this wall stocked throughout our quieter winter months and have supplies for a packing event. As this is when we know donations slow down and we struggle to keep the space open.

Antigonish, NS (Inactive) – Awesome Pink Envelopes

2017-03-29T00:00:00Z

Dozens of stories of charitable actions flowed back to us on our recent Awesome Pink Envelope Campaign. We saw everything from the good old fashion coffee buy, to free stamps at the post office, getting people free lunches, flowers for an awesome mom and donations to charities and families in need. We also saw a lot of smiles.. a lot of folks who clearly appreciated the notion of folks doing something nice for one another for no other reason then to do it. This was especially true for the young kids both giving and receiving. We made a lot of news with this event, the CBC, Huffington Post Post, CTV National and Atlantic News, Sirius XM Radio and so on. We have put together an archive to collect all this goodness and you can find that in the links section below, interviews can also be found in the comments section. If you or someone you know have a story related to the event please send it to us, we want to share them. Now for some shout outs... big thanks to all the trustee's, those that gave out the envelopes and those who couldn't make it but donated their hard earned money.. you guys are the bee's knees. Shout out to Bounty Print here in Antigonish, Dave, Greg, the whole crew, they covered the free inserts and have done a bunch of free promotional materials for us in the past. Big thanks to our community, all the people of Antigonish town and county... the fabric of our community is sewn with the threads of kind, selfless actions, Mr. Coady would be proud. Photo, Press & Story Archive: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15L3s2bPYmjlaKmpZAKSZBwaqrBNJF-xClT0f1GuwmK8/edit?usp=sharing

Buffalo, NY (Inactive) – Rainbows on Allen

2017-03-28T00:00:00Z

'Rainbows on Allen' is an ongoing collaborative project created by the Allentown Association and the Pride Center of WNY meant to create an enduring visual display of acceptance and inclusiveness in Allentown. For many years Allentown has been considered the center of the LGBTQ community and to strengthen our community as a whole we envision Allen Street with rainbow crosswalks. This may seem bold but we believe this global symbol of acceptance is most important in recent uncertain times. Not to mention the numerous custom crosswalk precedents made around the world. While the image is not hard to picture, the impact of this symbolic imagery will be a strong reminder to our community and WNY. We understand that a project of this scale at every crosswalk may be daunting, and have logistical challenges, but we are confident that with our combined organizational experience and positive support of Councilman Franczyk that the project has wings. It is also our intent that this is not only a collaborative project between our two organizations, but with the community at large. We will organize the event to have team leaders who will work with people from the community to make this project a realization at a single event. What better way than to do this together. The first rainbows were painted on sidewalks during Buffalo Pride Week 2017, as well as, on the Allentown Association's First Friday Gallery Walk providing maximum enthusiasm and impact. The Allentown Association and The Pride Center of WNY stand for opportunity and inclusiveness and we believe Rainbows on Allen contributes toward that vision.

Check out photos from Awesome Buffalo Pitch Night.

Read more about Rainbows on Allen in these articles:

Minas Gerais (Inactive) – Ocupa Mídia

2017-03-28T00:00:00Z

"Ocupa a mídia" é um projeto que deseja e atua para capacitar jovens comunicadores nas ocupações urbanas da grande BH. Como pregado pelo movimento por moradia: “Enquanto morar for um privilégio, ocupar é um direito.” Direito de ter o mínimo para se viver com dignidade. Direito de se orgulhar do seu espaço e do ser o que somos. Sofremos ameaças contínuas de despejo e somos maltratados por grande parte da mídia que nos chama de “invasores”, eles não reconhecem a legitimidade da nossa luta. Com condições de vida precárias e, muitas das vezes, ausência dos serviços públicos básicos, precisamos de atenção especial para estudar, crescer e dar continuidade a nossas conquistas. Quem sabe assim, auxiliando para um crescimento plural e uma sociedade mais justa e igualitária. Por estes motivos considero o projeto "Ocupa a mídia" tão importante. Quero que nossos jovens possam falar por eles mesmos. Queremos a nossa própria mídia, um grupo de comunicação para ampliar nossa voz. Nossa Ocupação se chama Izidora (norte de BH-divisa com Santa Luzia) com 20.000 moradores que recebem ameaças constantemente. Capacitando esses jovens para utilização de câmeras, celulares, redação de texto e comunicação nas redes sociais, esperamos que a voz da ocupação seja ouvida. A sociedade precisa saber da nossa luta e dos nossos valores de solidariedade e igualdade. Assim constituímos um grupo ativo de jovens que se tornarão os porta-vozes da ocupação, desejamos também, despertar o desejo por mais conhecimento e que, os que desejarem, tenham as ferramentas para se especializarem e traçarem os seus caminhos pelas lentes e aos olhos atentos da sociedade. O projeto começou no final de 2016 por iniciativa de duas jornalistas da ONG internet Sem Fronteiras, elas elaboraram o projeto junto com o MLB (Movimento de lutas, nos bairros, vilas e favelas) e as Brigadas Populares e conseguiram um incentivo da igreja católica para compra do equipamento audiovisual e cobertura de despesas básicas. ***Confira o vídeo do projeto: https://youtu.be/cSdPf8pkxbg***

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Still I Rise

2017-03-27T00:00:00Z

Still I Rise - a documentary feature Still I Rise is an intimate character driven story about the complexities of human resilience. Araceli and Leah survived child sex trafficking and refuse to be defined by their trauma. Araceli was forced into sex trafficking at the age of sixteen while living in a foster home. Weeks before her 21st birthday, her luck dramatically changes when she meets a social entrepreneur in Oakland who takes her under her wing and mentors her. Leah was fourteen when she was ensnared in a teenage sex trafficking ring in the San Francisco Bay Area. Today she bravely shines a national spotlight on sexually exploited children in America. Her remarkable story is featured on Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric and BET TV News. Leah’s and Araceli’s warmth, humor and humanity drive us to take a closer look at child sex trafficking in America, why it disproportionately impacts girls and women of color, and how survivors are at the forefront of the anti-trafficking movement. Our incredible film team includes: four-time Academy Award winner Mark Berger, Emmy Award winning producer Layda Negrete, editors James Grisom & Maureen Gosling, and UC Berkeley Professor Dr. Nikki Jones. Our goal is to complete the film by summer 2017 and share it with a global audience. Please take a look at our latest film sample and perhaps we can discuss ways to collaborate! https://vimeo.com/194467448 password: confidential

Asheville, NC (Inactive) – Reach for the Sun

2017-03-26T00:00:00Z

In 2016 I visited a school in Port au Prince, and I saw how much Haiti is in need of alternative energy. So I came up with an idea to connect my school in Murphy, NC with the students in Haiti while we design and install solar USB device charging stations at each school. I will lead a group of students at my project-based high school to design and install a solar charging station. It will be located at an outside pavilion and used to charge devices during lunch. We live in a small rural town with a lot of economic disadvantage (about 40% of students) but not a lot of diversity (about 10% minority). Designing a solar station will help students acquire skills in an alternative energy field, and Phase 2 of the project (the Haiti installation) will encourage solidarity with students from another culture and increase our ability to think globally. Community experts (a solar company owner; a licensed electrician) and a physics teacher will mentor to ensure the project’s success. In the fall of 2017, I’ll travel to Haiti to help students there install a station based on the NC prototype with components from a Haitian solar company. Having a solar charging station at the school will be invaluable, as electricity is unreliable. Learning about solar and helping to install/maintain their own station will empower students to consider other things they might do to improve their school and/or lives. Throughout the project, community-building between the schools will take place. The NC students have already sent down a scrapbook of letters, and this exchange will continue through email, photos, letters, and videos. This project will help us understand that we are more alike than we think, that young people have the power to make change in the world, and that we can reach across borders to make the world a better place. This goal is more important than ever in these divisive times. I have support letters from the schools involved and a solar company upon request.

Alaska (Inactive) – Lakeside Learning Lab

2017-03-26T00:00:00Z

Sand Lake Park (SLP) is nestled between Sand Lake and Sand Lake Elementary (SLE) school on the west end of Anchorage, Ak. With 5.1 acres of green space, two docks, and a paved trail adjacent to the school the access to the outdoors should be easy but not enough classes take advantage of this opportunity. Many of our families are also unaware. 6th graders in my classes are partnering to improve our park through the Sand Lake Makeover Project, which actually began last year with my '15-'16 students. They are in the midst of designing a Lakeside Learning Lab to serve as an extension to our classrooms and to improve the park for the community. My students’ work began last year when we officially adopted SLP. While small, SLP is important to the community. The roughly 2 miles of shoreline are almost entirely bordered by private property limiting public access to the lake. For this reason, the park provides an excellent access point to the lake and is crucial to providing recreational and educational opportunities in the area, especially for the SLE. Residents use the lake for boating, fishing, and general outdoor enjoyment. In addition, it is home to a variety of plant and animal life that utilize the habitat in this suburban oasis. The Lakeside Learning Lab we are designing sits on the southern end of SLP on a hill just above the paved trail. The hill has an approximate 30 ft. by 30 ft. open space surrounded by birch, cottonwood, and spruce trees. The students selected this location because it has an outstanding westward view of the lake, it is relatively flat and is already cleared of many trees. Students will design, landscape, and oversee construction of the Lakeside Learning Lab. Students will choose the best route to enter and exit the space. Two Anchorage Park Foundation Schools on Trails design professionals are leading students in designing the space.

Newmarket – The Sacred Canoe

2017-03-26T00:00:00Z

The Sacred Canoe is a theatrical production being created in partnership with drummers and elders from Webequie First Nations, Georgina Island and Students and teachers from Sacred Heart CHS. It is a play that is sending a message of unity and partnership between two different cultures that also answers a call to action from The Truth and Reconciliation Report. The message of the play is we can travel together in a canoe of partnership and friendship into a promising future by learning about and from the past. The partnership will reflect the great partnerships created by early explorers and First Nations people in charting much of the Canadian water system by canoe and establishing the fur trade throughout Canada. As we head towards our Canada 150 Celebrations, this project will recognize and commemorate one of the oldest relationships in our history.

Seattle, WA – New Holly & Rainier Vista College and Career Club

2017-03-24T00:00:00Z

With the goal of connecting disengaged youth, this project is meant to provide several in-depth college and career workshops to youth from high school to age 24. Rainier Vista and New Holly neighborhoods are mostly low-income housing, and home to many immigrant and refugee families. In a partnership between Seattle Housing Authority Washington Service Corps member Mary Ruffin and Horn of Africa Services Americorps VISTA member Jenn Charoni, we will work together to provide in-depth college preparation workshops and college tours to youth during students' early dismissal days. Youth have expressed an interest in support with college and career guidance and applications- but we've lacked funds to institute resource-rich programming. With our combined outreach efforts, we're able to connect more youth with college and career resources than we are alone. Mary's work specifically targets disengaged youth between the ages of 16 and 24, and she's been making connections in both neighborhoods. Jenn works with East African immigrant and refugee youth in Rainier Vista and has relationships with these youth from the Horn of Africa Services after school tutoring program. We are specifically planning to provide 1-2 campus visits to the University of Washington and/or Seattle University where youth will go on a private tour. We will also have a college and career night where professionals and college students will come to our communities and talk about their experiences in a particular school or field. We will provide a workshop on funding, FAFSA and scholarship applications, and/or a general application workshop day. We will continue to consult youth on their needs and interests and provide them with interactive workshops concerning topics they select. We'd love to be able to bring these services to our target low income immigrant and refugee youth, and have the connections to do so. We just need a small budget to help make the workshops happen.

Seattle, WA – WHAT'S POPPIN' LADIEZ?!

2017-03-24T00:00:00Z

WHAT'S POPPIN' LADIEZ?! is an event series and movement that celebrates female poppers while providing them with a platform to exchange and tell their stories, Popping is an Urban American street dance style that started around the 1970s in the Bay Area. Popping is also a male-dominated dance culture. WPL?! serves to bring visibility to female poppers (since there is a large gender disparity) while addressing challenges the face while navigating a male-dominated dance culture and how they overcome them. Popping and non-popping communities will witness showcases, panel discussions, masterclasses, and a main event that includes an open sign up all-styles dance battle and a 2v2 popping battle with internationally invited female poppers. WPL?! is organized and led by women of color and centers female DJs, emcees, dancers and hosts. During my past three years of experience as a spectator of the hip hop dance scene and as the only female popper in Seattle, I have noticed a large gender disparity in the popping community both locally and internationally. Female poppers exude a great amount of grit to be asserting themselves in a community that easily discredits them. Gender violence, stereotypes and notions of femininity, and internalized/learned female rivalry make it difficult for female poppers to exist in hip hop and popping dance cultures. WPL?! 2016 inspired women to either begin or continue pursuing their popping, dance, and life journeys. A young woman from Portland, Oregon even stated that she decided to finally take a popping class because a fierce female popper was teaching it, and she, “wouldn’t have tried popping any other way.” It is here that women are able to see reflections of themselves in women that are unapologetically powerful. WPL?! was able to create a space for these dancers and their communities to thrive.

Oahu, HI – WASUP Days! Wheelchair Adapted Stand Up Paddle Day

2017-03-24T00:00:00Z

Adaptive Freedom Foundation is a nonprofit based in HI. We build Versatility Boards, standup paddle boards adapted to secure a wheelchair, and holds paddle days. Paddle days are free and open to the public. A typical paddle day has 5 people. We have had as few as 2 and as many as 38. We provide hope and fun by giving people with disabilities or limitations, who previously couldn't get out on a SUP the opportunity to do so. Right now we are operating on Oahu and plan on growing onto the outer islands and California. We have paddle with Shriners Children's Hospital and Make a Wish HI. We will be paddling quarterly with Shriners HI. We believe if we can get a wheelchair out on the water, there's nothing we can't do! We believe this opens the minds of the paddlers to other possibilities! The ocean has such healing powers and there is such a peace about paddling across the water. We can't help but want to share it! We put smiles on faves and hope in hearts! We think that's kinda awesome!

Milano (Inactive) – Metti alla prova la memoria!

2017-03-24T00:00:00Z

Le diverse forme di patologie neurodegenerative sono considerate tra le malattie a più alto impatto sociale nel mondo poiché coinvolgono milioni di malati con i rispettivi familiari. Secondo recenti dati, gli anziani in Italia sono in costante aumento, ed è risaputo che l’età avanzata è il più importante fattore di rischio per lo sviluppo di una forma di demenza. Altro dato scientifico di rilievo riguarda l’importanza dell’attuazione di uno stile di vita attivo sia a livello cognitivo sia fisico al fine di prevenire il decadimento cognitivo in ogni sua forma. Spesso, però, si tende a sottovalutare l’impatto di alcuni campanelli d’allarme per lo sviluppo di una patologia neurodegenerativa, quali dimenticare una strada familiare, perdere frequentemente gli oggetti, non ricordare la data corrente o il nome delle cose. Come esortare dunque le persone a prendersi cura della propria mente? NEPSI – Centro di Neuropsicologia e Sostegno Psicologico offre gratuitamente a Milano, all'interno di campagne di sensibilizzazione nazionale, valutazioni neuropsicologiche con lo scopo di indagare il funzionamento cognitivo in atto della persona ed intercettare eventuali condizioni cliniche agli esordi. A seguito della valutazione a quanti presentino un quadro di deterioramento cognitivo viene indicato un intervento clinico specifico. A tal fine NEPSI propone abitualmente interventi di stimolazione cognitiva con l'obiettivo di rinforzare le capacità cognitive residue cercando di favorire il più possibile il mantenimento dell'autonomia dell'individuo. Per fare questo oltre all'expertise dei professionisti, NEPSI vuole utilizzare validi supporti tecnologici tra i quali alcuni risultano essere pensati specificatamente per la riabilitazione cognitiva.

Sydney – Pocket Sized Precincts

2017-03-23T00:00:00Z

Pocket-Sized Precincts is a free itty-bitty city art quest in Sydney. 2017 will be our second iteration and this year we want to grow to include other artists and new suburbs! Here is a little snapshot of our project: Explore amazing parks, uncover local businesses and tap into your own imagination. Hidden within five City of Sydney parks are pocket-sized artworks. To find the secret locations of the parks visit the businesses on the quest map and collect the clues. Once you or a member of your team have visited all the locations on the map, it’s time to put your own creative skills into action to enter the competition. There’s no limit when it comes to your own artwork, so whether it’s a sketch, a photo, a poem, a song, you - inspired by your city - can decide! Winners will have their artworks displayed in the front window of 107 Projects - a gallery in Redfern - and can also choose one of the artworks from the quest.

Tilburg (Inactive) – Krijgkunst

2017-03-23T00:00:00Z

Krijgkunst is een kunst weggeef project. Het doel is om de stad vol te zetten met ingelijste kunstwerkjes en een deel van de werken persoonlijk uit te delen Samen met een groep van ongeveer 10 kunstenaars willen we ongeveer 250-350 werken maken. Deze werken maken we in oplage doormiddel van zeefdruk. Hiervoor werken we samen met John Dohmen, die zijn atelier en expertise beschikbaar stelt. Niet alle meewerkende kunstenaars zijn bekend met het zeefdrukken en dus zal dit voor hen ook leerzaam zijn. Fotograaf Marieke Plasier gaat het project vastleggen. Iedere kunstenaar houdt een paar van zijn/haar zeefdrukken, welke we vervolgens gaan tentoonstellien bij café Berlijn. De inspiratie voor het project komt onder andere van de Londonse kunstenaar Adam Neate, die nog altijd zijn werken op straat neer zet.

Amsterdam (Inactive) – Happy Little Moment

2017-03-23T00:00:00Z

My goal is to make someone, somewhere happier by creating happy little moments in envelopes and leaving them in public spaces. They are all handmade with lots of love and beautiful paper. It really makes my day when I hear that someone found the right message at the right time.

The Hague (Inactive) – The Kitchen- The Hague-

2017-03-23T00:00:00Z

We are The Kitchen, a group of passionate young people trying to stop food waste through the instigation of building up a sustainable community while cooking. Since September 2016 we have saved food from Supermarkets and The Haagse Market that could have otherwise been wasted. With the food we have created a big community of people coming from different backgrounds that are interested in sustainability, anti-waste and sharing. Each Thursday we organize a free three-course-meal dinner. We believe in a more conscious and considerate world where people can coexist in harmony with each others, themselves and the natural beings surrounding us. Our inspiration is to raise awareness of failures of our global food system that has lead to poverty where enough food is being produced but there is an unfair distribution of food. The Kitchen is more than a business, it’s a movement. We invest our time on it Because we care, care about our planet and humanity

Miami, FL – PedalPower

2017-03-22T00:00:00Z

Students (and adults) are ever more connected to their mobile devices and electronics. As a result, students are becoming less physically active. Our awesome project aims to increase physical activity while keeping students connected. PedalPower is a stationary bike equipped with a mobile device charger. The more calories you burn, the more you charge your phone. On average, a student can burn 75-110 calories per ten minutes and create between 20-40 watts of energy (.02-.04kWh). The average smartphone requires 8.4kWh to charge. However, on some devices 5 minutes pedaling can yield about 5% of battery life. At Miami-Dade County’s iPrep (a magnet high school that uses a blended-learning curriculum) there are about 300 middle and high school students who are each using technology in the classroom. On average, those 300 students have about 60 minutes of free time throughout the day from the time they enter the school and leave each day. Knowing students will remain connected to their devices, we can create the opportunity to burn calories while simultaneously charging their devices.

New York City, NY – Free Water Ecology and Engineering Field Trips

2017-03-22T00:00:00Z

Free Water Ecology and Engineering Field Trips, a program of NYC H2O, educates and inspires New York’s youth about the incredible NYC water system. Launched in 2014, field trips are offered to public schools in response to low youth engagement in environmental science and physical activity. Last year NYC H2O offered 141 field trips to over 3,900 students in grades 2 through 12. Field trips bring students to sites in all five boroughs, including: Lemon Creek, Plumb Beach, Ridgewood Reservoir, Silver Lake, Baisley Pond High Bridge, Central Park Reservoir, and Jerome Park Reservoir. On field trips to historic reservoirs, we show how trees protect reservoirs in city parks and watersheds. We also teach students how water from the Catskills flows to New York City by gravity. At beach sites and wetland habitats, students explore and identify marine creatures such as oysters and horseshoe crabs. Students learn about tides, water absorption and storm surges and how shoreline areas help protect neighborhoods from major flooding. Most of our students come from underserved schools that lack opportunities to explore natural areas. Our Water Ecology and Engineering Field Trips provide STEM education and place-based learning entirely free of charge. NYC H2O believes that teaching children at inspiring water infrastructure sites helps advance curiosity about the world around them. With the Awesome award, NYC H2O will hire and train two new guides and will be able to expand to 180 field trips to 120 schools, reaching 5,000 students across NYC. They will also add a new site, the Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with the National Parks Service. We love this project because of its focus on science, water ecology, and environmental awareness, and our ability to make a difference in students’ lives by providing more free field trips. Plus they use a giant map during field trips so students can track where their neighborhood water comes from!

Louisville, KY (Inactive) – Available Light

2017-03-21T00:00:00Z

In the mid-to-late 20th century, there were a number of remarkably talented African American photographers working in Louisville, doing a wide range of work: photojournalism for African American newspapers like the Louisville Defender (and for the Courier-Journal after it integrated its photojournalism staff in 1968), fine art photography, portrait photography, street photography, nightclub photography, and a wide range of other work. Their work is significant both for what they documented—the fabric of daily life in the African American community in the West End—and for the technical excellence with which they documented it. Yet much of at work is currently sitting in basements and garages, in danger of being lost forever. “Available Light” is an intensive effort to preserve the photographic histories of African American life in Louisville, in close collaboration with numerous African American photographers who worked in Louisville in the era of black and white film photography. Their work is significant both for what they documented—the fabric of daily life in the African American community in west Louisville—and for the technical excellence with which they documented it. Yet much of at work is currently sitting in basements and garages, in danger of being lost forever. We will work closely with these photographers to preserve and contextualize a remarkable body of work that documents places, experiences, people, and events to which many thousands of Louisvillians have a connection. We will achieve the following outcomes: (1) locate, scan, and preserve thousands of photo negatives and prints that have not yet been archived for posterity; (2) publish a highly professional book of community history through the lens of participants’ life experiences and photography; (3) draw at least 400 people to the book launch event; (4) organize a significant photography exhibit; and (5) produce a companion radio story with WFPL.

Tallahassee, FL (Inactive) – Code Caravan

2017-03-21T00:00:00Z

According to the US Department of Labor, in 2020, there will be an estimated 1.4 million computer specialist job openings. Unfortunately, U.S. universities are expected produce only enough qualified graduates to fill 29% of these jobs. An enthusiasm for programming and computer science must be cultivated at an early age in order to combat this trend. Enter Code Caravan! Code Caravan is an educational outreach program staffed by IB STEM students that aims to instill an enthusiasm for programming in Tallahassee's 16,693 elementary school students. Developed under the mentorship of Samantha Vance, founder of the 501(c) non-profit organization Ladies Learning to Lead, Code Caravan seeks to bring hour-long, mobile coding workshops to local elementary schools utilizing the Ozobot Bit. The Ozobot Bit is the world’s smallest smart robot. This programmable bot builds both creativity and coding skills in ages 6 and up, and provides opportunities for young programmers to advance from basic color coding to intermediate block-based programming with Bit. Basically a dome on two wheels, the Ozobots use optical sensors to follow colored paths either on paper or on an iPad. At its simplest, the Ozobot follows a black path wherever it goes. By adding a variety of color codes to the path, students can make the Ozobot perform a variety of different actions, from making a left or right turn to performing a tornado spin. By combining various codes and paths, these little bots can be programmed to perform complex actions. Code Caravan utilizes the Ozobot to introduce students to sequential thinking, logical reasoning and coding concepts that will enable children from all walks of life to succeed in the digital age. Ozobots come with comprehensive hour long lesson plans and activities correlated to Florida's Sunshine State Standards. Code Caravan believes that through exposure to the Ozobot curriculum, elementary school science classes will be enriched and students will be inspired.

Gloucester, MA – Real Deal Gourmet Stuffed Clams

2017-03-21T00:00:00Z

Kingston – Concussion Education Safety and Awareness Program

2017-03-21T00:00:00Z

The Concussion Education Safety and Awareness Program (CESAP) is a volunteer based initiative that works to empower civilians and athletes on concussion injuries through evidence-based education and on field clinics. Our program acts as a bridge between athletics and science, as a way to fuel the current movement aimed at improving players’ safety in sports. As we strengthen the relationship between student-athletes and the youth, we strive to keep the next generation healthy and active in team-based sports. Sponsored by the Queen’s School of Medicine and the Centre for Neurosciences, CESAP was developed with the help of physicians in the Kingston community. Recently, our program has received support from Parachute Canada (ThinkFirst), the Ontario Brain Institute, and the Limestone District School Board. This has allowed us to integrate educative clinics within high schools throughout the city of Kingston. Over the past 13 months, our group has presented to over 3,000 individuals ranging from Vancouver to Québec city, with involvement at four universities across the country. Additionally, the Canadian Association for Neuroscience recognized CESAP, last year, with the Advocacy & Outreach Award for its work in advocating mental health in the community. CESAP focuses on two main components of head injuries: education and prevention. Our classroom sessions are designed to educate about the signs and symptoms, management, and prevention of concussions. By ensuring that appropriate resources are distributed to students, athletes, coaches and parents, we seek to increase awareness and empower the community about sport-related concussions. In attempt to improve injury prevention, CESAP also offers on-field clinics lead by varsity athletes to teach the youth proper technique in high-risk activities, specific to any sport. These interventions are designed to reduce head impacts and exposure to concussive blows, without taking away the integrity of the game (and the fun!).

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Seeing is Believing: Women Direct

2017-03-20T00:00:00Z

Who’s afraid of one little number? Not director Cady McClain. And she doesn’t want anyone else to be either. Defying the odds, Cady’s pivoted an Emmy-award winning acting career into a directing career. But when she finally arrived in her own director’s chair, she couldn’t find many others like her. Thus, “Seeing is Believing: Women Direct”, an educational documentary series on female directors was born. This half-hour, stand-alone, documentary series on female directors in TV and film (10 eps) puts women who direct front and center in the conversation on creativity, careers, and equality. Each episode brings three directors into the spotlight as she shares the ups and downs of her own journey to, and in, the directing chair. Profiling heavy-hitting award-winners to up-and-coming directors, this series is as practical as it is get-up-and-go when it comes to a creative career. Original animations woven throughout stitch the stories together as viewers get to know a treasure trove of today’s female directors. “Seeing is Believing: Women Direct” brings the journey of cultural leaders to the forefront of the current conversation, providing female seekers and storytellers guideposts along a formerly uncharted road. The film juxtaposes original interviews with elegant animation, original narrative footage, and archival footage “brought to life” with digital techniques to take back the story of women in film, transforming it from an outworn narrative of “victims of a patriarchal system” to a dynamic tale of “renegade fighters who won’t quit until they have an equal place at the table.” This film series addresses the very real obstacles women directors face when taking a leadership role; shines a light on the innovation, dedication, talent, and persistence of these women; draws parallels between the thought processes and experiences of successful female storytellers of the past and present; and encourage connection and transfer practical information.

Ann Arbor, MI – COBBLESTONE FARM MARKET

2017-03-20T00:00:00Z

The Cobblestone Farm Market is an earth-friendly non-profit organization that focuses on strengthening community and increasing local food accessibility, security and quality. The Market is a project of the Cobblestone Farm Association. The farmer’s market creates profitable micro-business opportunities for local small-scale organic growers, producers, and artists. We engage in community outreach and partnerships with local food pantries and other organizations to build community, share knowledge and create awareness of local markets. This self-sustaining market provides a safe community space that allows individuals and families from diverse backgrounds to connect over healthy food, fun activities, live music and cooking demonstrations. This Tuesday tradition has become the hub of the neighborhood, providing a lively location to gather and do good.

Boulder, CO (Inactive) – Achilles Boulder

2017-03-20T00:00:00Z

Achilles Boulder was founded 3 years ago with the goal of helping people of all abilities (e.g. visually impaired, hearing impaired, cerebral palsy, wheelchair, PTSD, wounded vets, etc.) participate in mainstream athletics to promote personal achievement and goals.

Pittsburgh, PA – Spare Change

2017-03-20T00:00:00Z

Spare Change is a web series where I, a former professional musician, take to the streets of Pittsburgh to raise money by busking (street performing). Each episode, the money is used to "pay it forward" in a unique way meant to spread positivity through the region. This idea began organically last week after playing an open mic night on Carson Street. My bandmate, Pete, and I finished performing around 10pm and realized we had more energy to burn. Inspired by the warm weather, we decided to start playing outside. A homeless person walked by and asked for money, we gave him everything we had. Then, a young man walked by and said, "No wonder my girlfriend isn't making any money playing up the street, you guys are here." We then headed up the block to play with a young girl named Kayleigh who just lost her job. We helped her raise additional dollars and learned playing with us was the first time she played music anyone. The entire experience was filmed and shared online. The reaction inspired us to head back out on the street a second time (see the link above). On our second night, we ran into a minister named Ray Kelly who heard us playing in Shadyside. Ray had a beautiful voice and began singing "Stand By Me" with us. We attracted a small crowd and then surprised Ray by donating all of our funds from that night to his Church. The video of that night currently has over 3,600 views in one day. Moving forward, we plan to turn this into a full-fledged web series where each week we take off in the streets hoping to spread positivity through our music and our ability to help those in need. Each episode will feature new locations and new musicians and will end with us finding a unique way to benefit individuals in Pittsburgh who are in need. We see Spare Change as a vehicle to launch "crowd giving" - creating a platform for those who have had success playing music to give back to our community while documenting the journey in a professional docu-series.

San Francisco, CA – First Female President

2017-03-19T00:00:00Z

What if Trump wasn't the President, and I was instead? This is the question posed by the First Female President project, an ongoing, real-time alternate reality in which I (Margaret McCarthy) am the President. The First Female President project is an in-person and online collaborative act in community imagination and alternate reality. Hewing as closely as possible to real-time events, the project offers a progressive alternative to events unfolding under the Trump administration. During my first few weeks, I've issued Executive Orders permanently halting the construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, as well as Executive Orders expanding immigration and embracing refugees. I announced I was open-sourcing the government, and have been accepting self-nominated applicants for cabinet positions since Jan. 20. A team of 20 is currently working on building out the President's platform on everything from transportation to education. Participation continues to be open on an ongoing basis. Additionally, I've issued an open invitation to invite me to speak at schools, participate in ribbon-cuttings at local businesses, etc. I aim to be the people's President. Links: https://www.firstfemalepotus.us https://medium.com/@1stfemalepotus https://www.facebook.com/1stfemalepotus https://www.instagram.com/1stfemalepotus https://twitter.com/1stfemalePOTUS Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6pQ-NmyVNk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUmNfcGqNiU Press: http://www.sfweekly.com/culture/the-new-mccarthy-era-meet-the-first-female-u-s-president/

San Francisco, CA – Nomadic Keyboard Trike

2017-03-19T00:00:00Z

I like to ride my Trike. It has an electric piano and some awesome secrets. I like to tickle the ivories while I pedal through the city. I get applause. I get glares. I get hordes of people asking questions and snapping my picture. Trike is at an early stage but I have big dreams. In a time when sameness is invading our strange city, I want to show in a fun, creative way that SF hasn’t lost its soul or the random weirdness that makes it special. Trike upends the growing division between haves and have-nots by bringing live music to one and all. In the past, I have been shut down by fog, my reach limited by hills and distances. With this grant, I will be able to escape the fog district and ride all over the city with my machine, to markets, Sunday Streets, parklets, cafés and riots. I have lots of ideas for Trike. I’d love to set up at playgrounds in the Tenderloin, bringing music to children living in gritty surroundings. Maybe I’ll learn songs in different languages, using music to bridge cultural divides and reach out to people who are increasingly vilified by society at large. I fantasize about building a dedicated following for Trike and one day, creating a regular income from the project so I can to quit my jobs and play music full-time.

Yerevan – Put the pedal to the metal!

2017-03-16T00:00:00Z

Vedi (Ararat Province), being a rural small town, remains far from the main civil, political and innovative activities occurring in Armenia. Socio-economic grave situation and, as a result, high level of unemployment cause people and youth to lead a sedentary and non-healthy lifestyle (lack of exercise, smoking, depression, etc.). With an aim to break this negative cycle and in order to promote certain positive and healthy habits among citizens of Vedi, our team aims to install an electricity generating exercise bicycles in a public park in the very center of Vedi Town. The energy, which will be generated through pedaling, will feed a battery, which consequently will serve as an energy source for new LED lighting in Vedi Park. Through this innovative approach we wish to tackle several problems: • Promote healthy lifestyle. The more people will use the exercise bicycle, the more electric power will be generated. In that way, locals will have a strong motivation to exercise more and even compete against each other in order to perform better athletic results. • Promote the use of LED lamps. Not every resident of Vedi is aware of energy saving features of LED technology. We get a chance to provide those people with a true illustration of cost-effective energy consumption. • Improve park appearance. Our project will give a new look to Vedi Park and will make it more modern and attractive for residents. • Promote science and education among young people. In other words, we will demonstrate them that knowledge has a great potential to benefit all of us. • (last but not the least) Promote bicycle culture! We will support the use of bicycles, and promote the idea that cycling is cool and healthy. We clearly recognize that our project might be too ambitious, challenging and peculiar for a rural town like Vedi. But, on the other hand, we also believe that big things have small beginnings.

Chicago, IL – YogaCare: Training Yoga Teachers on the South Side

2017-03-16T00:00:00Z

Our project supports two amazing rockstar women of Englewood in becoming yoga teachers and developing their own classes! YogaCare's Scholarship Fund helps train teachers in underserved neighborhoods where we offer free or donation-based yoga programs to make yoga accessible for all. Each year, two students are awarded scholarships to further their yoga education by participating in a teacher training course of their choice. The two current Scholars (Class of 2017), Darlene Blackburn and Yahdina U-Deen, have been strongly active with YogaCare since its inception as a non-profit organization in 2014, and both play key roles within their own communities in Chicago. As someone who has transitioned through stressful times and physical aches and pains, Darlene has grown to understand herself on a deeper level through yoga. she wants to help others transcend their own self-imposed limitations and experience yoga’s physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. She is an internationally-known African and Caribbean dance instructor, choreographer, and founder of her own dance company! In addition, as a (now-retired) physical education teacher for the Chicago Public Schools for 26 years, Darlene believes in giving back to communities through teaching. Yahdina U-Deen is a mother, grandmother, and a professional singer and actor. She is a senior member of the Black Ensemble Theater Company and has performed around the United States and abroad. Love and thankfulness pour throughout her veins for the many opportunities her Creator has allowed. “Learn, grow, teach, and repeat!” is Yahdina’s motto in life, which fits perfectly into her yoga journey. She was referred to yoga as a means of stress management. And with a new-found awareness of self, yoga has taught her the importance of living from the inside out. Both women have the intrinsic desire to teach, and we are thrilled to co-create this opportunity to cultivate yoga knowledge and share it with their future students!

Yerevan – Բացօթյա պարահրապարակ Նոր Բրաջուրի երեխաների համար

2017-03-16T00:00:00Z

Նոր Բրաջուրը Արցախի Հանրապետության ամենաակտիվ համայնքներից մեկն է՝ չնայած այն հանգամանքին, որ կարծես աշխարհից կտրված վայրում լինի: Այստեղի դպրոցահասակ երեխաների ուղիղ կեսը (20-ը) սիրում են պարել հայ ազգային պարեր, սակայն դրա համար նախատեսված համապատասխան վայր չունեն: Նրանք ստիպված են պարապել փոքրիկ դպրոցի առավել փոքրիկ սենյակներից մեկում, որտեղ միաժամանակ դպրոցի գրադարանն է: Մոտակա համայնքների (Նոր Գետաշեն, Նոր Վերինշեն) երեխաները նույնպես ցանկանում են պարել սովորել, սակայն տեղի բացակայության պատճառով նրանք զուրկ են մնում այդ հաճույքից: Գյուղում կա պարուսույց, ով անվճար հիմունքներով երեխաներին է փոխանցում դարերի, հազարամյակների խորքից մեզ ավանդված պարերը։ Անցած տարի Սուրբ Զատիկի տոնին մեծ թվով մարդիկ Դադիվանքի հոգևորական համալիրում վայելեցին Բրաջուրի երեխաների անզուգական ելույթները, սակայն ոչ ոք անգամ պատկերացում չուներ, թե ինչպիսի պայմաններում են նրանք պարել սովորում: Իմ արշավներից մեկի ժամանակ նրանք ինձ հյուրնկալեցին իրենց գյուղում, և ես իմ աչքերով այդ ամենը տեսա: Այս տարի երեխաները որոշել են մայիսյան եռատոնին նվիրված մեծ միջոցառում կազմակերպել, այդ կապակցությամբ ես ու Բրաջուրի համայնքապետը ցանկանում ենք անակնկալ մատուցել երեխաներին և նրանց համար համայնքում 5x7մ չափերով բացօթյա պարահրապարակ կառուցել Տրտու գետի ափին: Այդտեղի եղանակային պայմանները թույլ են տալիս, որ գարնան հենց սկզբից մինչև խոր աշուն բացօթյա դասեր անցկացվեն։ Հայաստանում նման պարահրապարակների դեռ չեմ հանդիպել, սակայն վստահ եմ, որ շատ հետաքրքիր նորություն կլինի: Բնակիչները երեկոյան ժամերին կհավաքվեն և կպարեն ուժերի սպառման աստիճան: Համայնքի բնակիչները պատրաստ են ինքնուրույն կատարել ամբողջ շինարարական աշխատանքները: Նշեմ նաև, որ Նոր Բրաջուրով է անցնում Քարվաճառյան հայտնի «Ջերմաջուր» տանող ճանապարհը, իսկ այնտեղ գնալիս, եթե կայանեք այս համայնքում, երեխաները իրենց ազգային պարերով հաճելի անակնկալ կմատուցեն ձեզ:

Boston, MA – The Davis Square Symphony

2017-03-16T00:00:00Z

As the son of a research scientist, (my Dad researched fished that lived in isolated springs in the desert comparing them to their fossil ancestors), I spent every summer in the western U.S. deserts on his scientific expeditions until I was 18. This experience had a strong effect on my outlook as a musician and composer where the themes of nature, extremes, self-reliance, and a deep sense of time recur in my work. For one of my latest projects, I conceived the DAVIS SQUARE SYMPHONY as a populist work for orchestra with a film component, based on traffic patterns in Davis Square. I wanted to see how the daily life of Davis Square could become a symphony. I filmed Davis Square from five different locations in the four different seasons. This footage was edited down to 18 minutes and forms the structure for the composition. Each season has a different harmony with spring the most consonant; winter the most dissonant. The score was created by applying grids with the appropriate seasonal harmony to the footage. Vehicles are strings, pedestrians are woodwinds and brass, bicycles are snare drums, etc. Once various decisions were made concerning harmony, instrumentation and dynamics, the piece played itself based on what shows up on-screen. People will see their every-day lives transformed into music. The DAVIS SQUARE SYMPHONY was initially conceived of as a performance for a full live orchestra with film. A high quality MIDI orchestral score will also be created for the film. In this manner it can be shown as a film or an installation at an art museum. After hearing the DAVIS SQUARE SYMPHONY, I hope people will view their daily environment with new eyes and ears. Exposure to this piece will give individuals a different sense of meaning to their routine actions. In a society where everyone is pressed for time, helping people consider how their movements can be musical will be a successful outcome of this composition. It is an active way of looking at the world.

Cass Clay – Addie's Pretty Princess Lemonade Stand/bake sale

2017-03-15T00:00:00Z

Four years ago I found out I was being granted a dream come true from Sunshine Foundation. It was so exciting and brought me so much happiness that I told my mom "I want ALL the dreams to come true!" My mom helped me set up a little lemonade stand and bake sale on my street corner. Each year my lemonade stands/bake sales have become bigger and more visible. Because my dream was to meet the Disney Princesses (and because princesses are AWESOME!) I started having princesses visit the stand to help with lemonade, cupcakes and to visit with the kids. My last lemonade stand made nearly $4000 and so far I have raised about $13,000 to help Sunshine Foundation make dreams come true!! I have been a part of helping grant the dreams of 4 other kids from Minnesota! This year I am going to work really hard on getting a celebrity Prince Charming to visit the stand (I have a little something up my sleeve). If this works out it might be the biggest Princess cupcake/lemonade stand ever!!