tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/en/projects?page=15 2023-12-11T01:06:25Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242580 2023-12-09T00:00:00Z 2023-12-11T01:06:25Z My project is to print a set of DC archaeology-themed stickers and a small activity book to teach children (and adults) about local history. Archaeology is an amazing way to teach students skills in science, history, math, art, critical thinking, and literature. It’s how we know what we know about most of the everyday lives of people in the past. But it isn’t often taught in K-12 classrooms. I work for an organization called Archaeology in the Community (AITC). We’re a DC-based nonprofit dedicated to introducing students and our community to archaeology and our shared human past. Working with the DC Historic Preservation Office and the DC City Archaeologist (did you know you have a City Archaeologist?), AITC is organizing DC’s first ever Archaeology Month in June 2024. This will be a month of public events and celebrations, starting with the DC Day of Archaeology Festival at Dumbarton House on June 1. AITC is producing informal educational materials, such as posters and postcards, that highlight archaeological sites in DC. These will be given away for free, especially to DC teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. My idea is to create an archaeology sticker activity book that AITC can sell starting in June at the DC Day of Archaeology Festival and on our website for $10 each. The proceeds would go toward covering future DC Archaeology Month (2025 and beyond) printing costs, making the program more self-sustaining. The pack would come with at least 5 large stickers and a booklet with at least 4 DC archaeology-based activities. In future years, the activities can be updated with new archaeological research and sticker designs. Beth Pruitt Capitol Archaeology Sticker Activity Book http://www.archaeologyincommunity.com United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239986 2023-12-06T00:00:00Z 2023-12-08T15:39:49Z Roughly Staged is a community project in Glasgow which helps people create theatre. We run regular events which support playwrights, and people who are interested in playwriting, to experiment and explore in a creative environment. Since 2022 we have run 4 events (on a shoestring budget) at the Old Hairdresser’s, Glasgow. For each event, we invite writers from around Glasgow to submit original 15 minute plays. We have a panel which chooses three plays to put on. On the night, actors perform the plays to the audience and we invite feedback to help the writers improve their work. So far, Roughly Staged has supported over 50 artists to develop their skills and get into theatre. Predominantly, these artists come from working class and marginalised backgrounds, and our night is often the first opportunity they have to see their writing performed by actors. Some selected audience feedback: “I'm not sure what I was expecting but you totally blew whatever it was out of the water! I could not be more proud of my friends. From the flawless organisation to the quality of the writing to the outstanding performances, and all presented by the most fabulous hosts. I may have missed the first two Roughly Staged events but I won't make that mistake in the future!” “Nice seeing new work, thought the standard was really good for both writing and performances” “Really positive and supportive atmosphere for the actors and writers. - Creates the opportunity for people who don't normally engage in theatre (either because they might find the duration of a play or the cost of a theatre ticket daunting) to participate and enjoy different types of plays.” David Hewitson Roughly Staged - A night of new theatre writing https://roughlystaged.com/ United Kingdom Glasgow https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/glasgow tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241787 2023-12-05T00:00:00Z 2023-12-06T06:06:29Z Hello Awesome SF Team, My project is one in which art, design, and sustainability meet. In short, I will be making a chair out of rice hulls. The chair will be circularly designed meaning its life will end by looping back into the earth plus the form allows for parts to be easily replaced rather than the whole of the chair being replaced. In order to take circular design to the next level, waste can be synthesized to become the raw material. Rice Hulls, a byproduct of rice farming, is the material for the project. Due to their locality (90% of California rice comes from Sacramento County), and their abundance (about 3.9 million kg are produced a year in the US) it is the perfect material to reduce carbon and tell a local story. As it stands I tackled this project during my final year of college however due to a lack of funding resources I was not able to complete the chair. However, after almost a year of experimenting, research, and prototypes I have found a way to synthesize rice hull concrete a sustainable, biodegradable, non-toxic, alternative to concrete! As a designer and artist, this project represents the responsibility we have to find creative ways to create not only fascinating products but sustainable ones. Creating a chair is the designer's right of passage and with this rice hull chair, I look to become worthy (and Awesome)! Liam McArdle-Hankin Rice Hull Chair https://liammcardledesign.com/design/capstone-project United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/219192 2023-12-04T00:00:00Z 2023-12-04T20:45:36Z We are a nonprofit organization geared towards providing thriving skills to the community. One of the skills we teach is how to grow food. We have an urban farm that teaches youth, young adults and senior citizens how to grow, sustain and harvest fresh food. However, we do not have seating on our urban farm and often we have to sit on buckets or the ground. We would love to have benches built around our shaded area. Our seating area will be used for rest and storytelling. Ebony LunsfordEvans Seating for our Urban Farm Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241079 2023-12-04T00:00:00Z 2023-12-05T17:06:50Z Chronicles of the Sea is an immersive theatre production in which the players solve paleo-linguistical and archaeological puzzles about a woman’s journey to self-empowerment at the end of the civilization. Chronicles started out as an interactive logbook that explored the language-translation as a game mechanic, through which players uncovered a story. The story is situated on the fictional Huandzay island where the main deity is "the Sea-spirit" and society is built around water. To create the language I researched ocean sounds and developed a glyph system based on sea deposits at Brighton Beach. In the story there is a prophecy that the Sea will flood the island because of humanity's greed and neglect. This is a direct allegory for climate change and human exploitation of the earth's resources and people's estrangement of the sea. This is especially tangible in New York. I have successfully playtested a small version of the game called The Researcher's Lab, but I want to scale up and shift the focus to the protagonist's (the priestess Shahda) journey to emancipation. She will be embodied by 6 different dancers who will facilitate each group of players (2-4 people per puzzle; 6 puzzles so 12-24 participants per run). There will be dance, acting and puzzle solving. The Journey will take place on the water--on a boat, or on a deck in the summer months. There is one central space, "the harbor", which is where dance occurs. Around it there are 6 small pods that each contain artefacts from a section of Shahda's life. As the players interact with the objects, Shahda will be prompted to tell stories of her past that relate to those objects. Upon solving the puzzle, Shahda hands them a beads of a necklace. After succesfully finishing all the puzzles, all the players convene in the harbor and assemble the necklaces and give them to their respective Shahda, who will then embody the Sea Spirit. The experience culminates in the dancers dancing as "the sea". Jet Vellinga Chronicles of the Sea - Huandzay https://jetvellinga.myportfolio.com/chronicles-of-the-sea Worldwide On the Water https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/onthewater tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241926 2023-12-03T00:00:00Z 2023-12-13T21:03:59Z Abram Katz's awesome project involves photographing the 'unseen.' So often in our society, there is not enough light shown on the marginalized communities. So many of us go unnoticed, unappreciated, misunderstood. This project seeks to showcase the beauty and strength held within each one of us. I will be capturing professional quality photographs of recently housed participants at Housing Matters in Santa Cruz, CA. This will have massive short and long-term community impact as I am partnering with a robust, community service-based organization who, like me, seeks to shift societal norms at a base level. The final art piece will be a tabletop reader of poignant photos and stories of trials and triumphs related to homelessness, as well as an epic art show of hand painted self-portraits derived from my photos, accompanied by several printed photos themselves, all themed around the concept of compassion, dignity, and community awareness. This project aims to truly uplift and inspire, encourage and empower the Santa Cruz community. Funding will be used to print high quality photos. Abram Katz Unseen Faces of Santa Cruz United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/243763 2023-12-03T00:00:00Z 2023-12-04T17:06:35Z Our awesome project will take place at Arte del Corazon’s annual Holiday Mercado on December 16th. The project includes multiple mini art workshops that highlight different cultural traditions practiced in Watsonville during the holidays. Artists and local educators Jessica Carrasco and Monica Galvan will create a curriculum that accurately represents this traditional rite, including background and templates for future community use. Workshops include a Reyes Magos lantern (Latin American), a Filipino Christmas Parol (star), and a Japanese Omamori (good luck pouch) for the New Year. Documentation of the workshop will include videography and photography of each workshop, as well as a comprehensive Workshop Packet to upload to the Arte del Corazon website and share. Our goal with this project is representation and for our audience to celebrate diversity. Funding will be used to purchase supplies and document the workshops. Monica Galvan Holiday Magic Workshop http://artedelcorazon.com United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/243359 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z 2023-12-07T23:25:03Z Project Description: Runway Revolution – Baltimore Chapter Overview: Runway Revolution, an initiative of Yele LLC, is a transformative fashion design program in Baltimore, blending Afrofuturistic aesthetics with contemporary fashion. Our mission is to empower individuals, particularly women of color in Baltimore, through fashion design education, culminating in a showcase of their work. Goals and Objectives: - To offer a 10-week intensive course in fashion sewing and design to 4-8 participants, focusing on individuals with little to no sewing experience in the Baltimore area. - To empower participants by developing their skills to a level where they can confidently create and present pieces on the runway. - To conclude with a fashion showcase event in Baltimore, spotlighting the participants’ achievements and talents. Community Impact in Baltimore: - The program is specifically tailored to engage and uplift the Baltimore community, particularly focusing on inclusivity and diversity in fashion. - By equipping participants with marketable skills and confidence, the program aims to open new avenues for economic and personal growth within the Baltimore community. - The showcase event, a celebration of cultural diversity and talent, will foster community pride and engagement, highlighting Baltimore as a hub of creative and inclusive fashion. Baltimore-centric Approach: - Engagement with local Baltimore artists, businesses, and fashion industry professionals to mentor and support participants.. - Creating opportunities for local visibility and networking for participants, thereby directly contributing to Baltimore’s socio-cultural and economic landscape. Why It's Awesome for Baltimore: Runway Revolution is more than a fashion education program; it's a catalyst for community empowerment and cultural celebration in Baltimore. Abisola Yelé Oladeinde Runway Revolution https://www.wmar2news.com/local/master-class-international-fashion-designer-trains-students-in-baltimore United States Baltimore, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/baltimore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/232717 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z 2023-12-01T13:46:22Z “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” — John Muir John Muir’s quote about nature is also true for individuals, for communities, and for fishing nets. Connective tissue is the net that holds our bodies together. Networks are what binds our neighborhoods. And the fishing net is the fiber that captures Gloucester’s social, cultural, and economic story, a complex weave of heritage and history. “The Net Works” is a multi-sensory installation built upon the narrative of Gloucester’s fishing community. The fishing net serves as the literal and metaphorical embodiment of this concept in an immersive exhibit that creates a texture of scents, sounds, and tactile experiences, where the visitor, like a fish, moves through a passage of netting. This is not only an installation about the fishing community but also for the community, as well as other visitors. Designed to be a visceral experience, the exhibit aims to give each visitor a deeper understanding of how each of our actions moves the whole, and perhaps, pause to consider our actions in a larger network of civilization. The installation incorporates accessible and inclusive design that invites exploration and engagement. While all the visitors will be in the same net, so to speak, the experience will look and feel differently to each of them. Erika Senft Miller The Net Works https://erikasenftmiller.com/ United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/237453 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z 2023-12-01T13:45:28Z This is an award giving to children or adults in our community who show selfless service, hard working traits and leadership skills that make our community a better place to be. Brendan Chipperini High 5 Award United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/240112 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z 2023-12-05T02:41:10Z November’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Alisa McClain and Pinball Women Ottawa to support the Women’s Provincial Pinball Championship. “On January 21,” says Alisa, “we will host the 3rd ever Women’s Provincial Pinball Championship – right here in Ottawa.” “Pinball Women Ottawa has been building community and connection for over ten years,” she continues. “A decade ago, if you had gone to a mainstream pinball tournament you would have been surprised to see a woman or gender diverse player there, and now we are typically nearly 50% of the players because of the community building of the women’s league.” “I am incredibly proud of how we have changed the local pinball scene,” says Alisa. “And due to our amazing community building and regular tournaments, our local competitors will make up a good number of the 16 invited finalists that compete in the Provincial Championship.” “Hosting this tournament for the first time in Ottawa represents a huge accomplishment in our community building efforts.” Alisa is a social worker by day, and describes herself as focused on building and maintaining a trauma-informed community space for weirdos and non-conformers. Alisa McClain and Pinball Women Ottawa Women's Provincial Pinball Championship https://www.instagram.com/pinballwomenottawa/ Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/240923 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z 2023-12-01T22:21:15Z Through my project, Bay Area Autism Collective, I offer peer-support groups to autistic adults, where members can unmask and talk about personal issues outside of the neuro-normative's social rules and communication styles. My project originates from my experience as an autistic person and the pleas of the autistic community, which desperately needs systems that understand and affirm the autistic experience. There are very few groups for autistic adults run by autistic adults that aren’t generalized, instead focused on the primary issues the autistic population faces: relationship challenges, high unemployment (~65%), sexual violence (9 out of 10 autistic women), bullying (40% of autistic people), incarceration (4.4% of prisoners, which is double the prevalence in the general population), addiction (30% of autistic people), co-occurring conditions, medical gaslighting, autism- affirming mental health care, and high suicide/suicidality rates (¼ autistic people have attempted suicide). I want to grow my project! That requires adding groups that center on the above topics so autistic adults with unique needs can access support from people with shared experiences - and that requires paying experienced facilitators who are also autistic. It is a visionary step toward improving autistic support compared to existing programs that historically only supported autistic children. **What our grantee is saying:** "Receiving the Awesome Disability award means that Bay Area Autism Collective will be able to continue our advocacy and serve the adult autism community by providing peer support services that address the autistic community's most vulnerable areas. With this grant, we can enhance our infrastructure to expand our support groups from one to many. This award makes a world of difference for our small organization!" **What our trustees are saying:** "I really loved that they are a local support group and are doing these very specific survivor/recovery workshops!" Bird Sellergren Bay Area Autism Collective http://www.bayareaautismcollective.org Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242347 2023-11-29T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T15:42:09Z This project aims to enhance community connectivity through building bridges for intergenerational communication. The project has three specific objectives. Firstly, it aims to create opportunities for intergenerational conversations between Penn State students and older adults residing in State College's retirement homes. Secondly, the project aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by Penn State students combating poverty. Last but not least, it endeavors to facilitate international students' understanding of American community culture and the tradition of Garage/Yard Sales. For nearly two decades, Foxdale Village, a non-profit continuing care retirement community in State College, has organized a half-day, community-wide Garage Sale in April and September. This bi-annual event involves the sale of a diverse range of items, including but are not limited to furniture, books, kitchenware, sheets and towels, and holiday decorations, all at remarkably low prices. The meticulous planning and organization of this half-day event span months and are entirely orchestrated by the residents of the retirement community. Donations from incoming, current, and deceased residents contribute to the array of goods available. The funds raised during the event do not go to any individual's pocket. Instead, they are allocated to support various activities and clubs in which the residents actively participate. Despite consistently drawing local customers, the Garage Sale struggles to reach Penn State students, particularly those facing financial challenges. Limited awareness among students results in missed opportunities to purchase items at significantly reduced prices and to interact with older adults who have rich life experiences. To address this, I propose an increased effort in publicizing the event among Penn State students, especially those facing financial challenges or hailing from low-income backgrounds. Minghui Sun Intergenerational Communication at the Garage Sale United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/238936 2023-11-29T00:00:00Z 2023-12-03T15:17:57Z We are a group of 4 women who got together during the COVID pandemic and decided to bring a little joy into the lives of seniors and those living with disabilities who reside at Trestle Way. For a number of months throughout the year, we provide either a small gift or entertainment, i.e. concerts, bingo, etc. The entertainment is provided for by a small grant from the Georgetown Cultural Council to Trestle Way. During the concerts, we provide and set up light refreshments. Carol Westhaver/Jill Benas Joyful Gift Givers http://None United States Georgetown, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/georgetown tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239008 2023-11-28T00:00:00Z 2023-11-29T02:19:26Z Chicago Circle Singing is a community gathering for improvisational singing and spontaneous song. Based on performance practices championed by Bobby McFerrin and Rhiannon, circle singing brings anyone and everyone with a desire to use their voice into the experience of collective, improvised singing. . Participants need no special skill or ability and the songs created can be sung by anyone, from any background. Even those who might not share a common language. It is a powerful experience that capitalizes the magic that is singing in community through the framework of improvisation. Chicago Circle Singing was launched by Davin Youngs in 2015 and was previously hosted at his space in the Fine Arts Building of Chicago. The desire is to keep this gathering happening about six to eight times a year and have it be absolutely free to participate in. With circle singing, the experience is better the more people who attend, so the intention is to keep growing the community. This grant will allow that to happen into 2024, at Grace Place in the South Loop of Chicago Davin Youngs Chicago Circle Singing https://www.facebook.com/groups/1826584517365634 United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242343 2023-11-28T00:00:00Z 2023-12-20T22:40:46Z Venue at Hoan Kiem From 12pm-5pm We want to host a Selam Sunday Event in Spring 2024 that would bring people together in peace as the weather warms up. We are organizing other vendors and ourselves for a chance to sell cultural specific products, all while creating an interactive scene that Portlanders can come and enjoy. In addition, we want to platform small businesses who value cultural sharing experience as an opportunity to fundraise for an organization in need. As coordinators and producers, we will provide Eritrean Coffee while bringing in an Ethiopian food cart and a Somali Henna Design Artist. For entertainment we are looking for DJs that would fit our budget but also someone who knows the region. We are planning on this event to be about 3-4 hours during the weekend. It is an all ages event accommodating both families and adults by having entertainment and kids zones. Edom Daniel and Bethy Temelso Selam Sunday https://www.instagram.com/alenadoecoffee/ United States Portland, OR https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/portland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/230831 2023-11-27T00:00:00Z 2023-11-27T20:40:02Z Ջերմուկը ներկայիս տեսքով հիմնադրվել է 1950 թ-ին և հիմնադրման հետ կապված բազմաթիվ փաստաթղթեր, պատմություններ ու հին նկարներ մնացել են Ազգային արխիվի դարակներում և անհատ մարդկանց ընտանեկան նկարների տրցակում։ Ջերմուկն այն բացառիկ քաղաքային բնակավայրերից մեկն է Հայաստանում, որտեղ գրեթե ամբողջությամբ պահպանվել են սովետական մոդեռն ճարտարապետական շինությունները, սակայն դրանց մասին չկա բավարար տեղեկություն կամ այդ տեղեկությունները մնացել են դարակներում։ Ջերմուկին առընչվող բազմաթիվ նյութեր արդեն պատմություն են, բայց ցիրուցան եղած։ Այս ծրագրի շրջանակում մեկտեղ ենք հավաքելու Ազգային արխիվում պահված լավագույն նմուշները, անհատ անձանց մոտ պահվող արխիվային նյութեր, լուսանկարներ և կազմակերպելու ենք այդ ամենի ցուցադրությունը՝ որպես կատարված աշխատանքի արդյունք։ Վազգեն Գալստյան Ջերմուկ․ Մի կտոր անցյալից Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/221145 2023-11-27T00:00:00Z 2023-11-28T22:01:30Z We provide wrap-around services to community organizations and families through intervention, prevention, and empowerment. Intervention services are delivered through peer support groups for teens 13-18 bi-weekly in person and virtually. These groups are not counseling but rooted in culturally-specific, trauma-informed care & social-emotional learning principles. We also custom-curate activities for the surviving parent & the teen to heal together & make new memories as they navigate their new normal. This also ladders into our empowerment pathway. Based on feedback from our teen PEACE peer group parents, we want to add support for parents wrapped in trauma-informed care and solutions. Parents who have fled a life of violence are primarily focused on providing necessities for their families so that opportunities for fun memories cannot always be factored in. We want to remove that financial barrier. We envision these events to be quarterly, where we have parents do activities separately and the teen separate, then we have them come together to merge in their activity to show the power of collaboration and oneness. Our goal is to provide them with a safe space that removes barriers to communication and provides thought starters for the parent/teen to stay learning with each other to strengthen their bond in this new normal. Tiffany Mensah P.E.A.C.E.F.U.L. Parents / Teens http://dovesnetwork.org Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239775 2023-11-27T00:00:00Z 2023-11-27T20:47:29Z Արցախի ամենահայտնի բարիքներից է թթի մրգօղին՝ իր նուրբ համով և բուժիչ հատկություններով։ Շատ արցախցիներ մշտապես զբաղված են եղել թթի օղու արտադրության մեջ։ Նրանց մի մասը տարիներ շարունակ իրենց արտադրանքն իրացնում էր Ստեփանակերտի «Բարդակ» փաբում։ Հաճախորդները մշտապես հայտնել են իրենց գոհունակությունը։ Այժմ այդ հնարավորությունները բացակայում են շատ արտադրողների համար։ Առաջնահերթ խնդիրը, բացի բերքից այն է, որ նրանք չունեն համապատասխան սարքավորումները։ Դրանք չեն կարողացել բերել Արցախից։ Նախագծով նախատեսում ենք օղու թորման երկու սարքավորում նվիրել արցախցի այն ընտանիքներին, ովքեր լավագույնս տիրապետում են բաղադրատոմսին, Արցախում զբաղվել են այդ գործունեությամբ։ Նրանց արտադրանքը մշտապես կսպառվի Երևանում նորաբաց «Բարդակ» փաբում։ Ազատ Ադամյան #Արցախ Բարդակի թոթ Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/230451 2023-11-24T00:00:00Z 2023-11-24T19:19:55Z Grounded in the best practices identified from 30 years in the field, Harmony Movement has designed a unity-building leadership program. Scheduled to launch in the 2022-23 school year, the Social Changemakers Leadership Program will engage with 22 youth and 3 educators form Newmarket High School. Program activities include: Pre-program assessment and consultation with school teams Six-hour educator training session Full-day in-person student program launch Two parent/caregiver sessions facilitated with Harmony Movement and the student team Student sessions focused on building leadership skills and developing an initiative to address an equity issue Check-ins with Harmony facilitators and support throughout the duration of the program At the end of the program, students will deliver a post-initiative report and participate in program evaluation and reporting. School teams will also attend the Social Changemakers Conference to connect with other school teams that participated in the program and discuss next steps. By supporting educators, parents/caregivers and students to develop inclusive and equitable schools we are moving beyond short-term fixes and creating systems change, grounded in authenticity and respect. We hope that you will support our unique whole-school approach to equity and inclusion. We have applied for government funding to support this program and are seeking additional foundations and donors. Diversification of our revenue is an ongoing objective and we continue working to expand corporate partnerships and fundraising activities to secure the sustainability of our programs. Janelle Yanishewski Social Changemakers Leadership Program http://harmony.ca Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/235360 2023-11-23T00:00:00Z 2024-01-02T16:29:44Z Nostalgia about the golden days is something all individuals experience at least once. Just a movement, sound, or phrase can remind you of a specific period of your life, and can invoke a multitude of feelings. That is the goal for our documentary film We Live: Soflo Jook. The goal of this poetic-styled cultural documentary is to educate and influence today’s world about the dance and music culture that was homegrown in both Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. This documentary will include interviews from notable artists such as grindmode, Piccolo, NMB STUNNAZ and even notable dancers, dj's and community residents. It will serve as a way to relive these special core memories, be the start of many others, and create a harmonious remembrance of the period we know as jookin’ and stickin’. The artistic approach for this film will move between raw, authentic cinematic footage and old archival footage. Along with interviews, this film will use captured footage, photos, archival footage and music to help narrate the story. We are striving for a very nostalgic approach that will showcase what this style of music and dance means to people and the impact it has on the culture today. By using wide angle shots, close-ups and moving camera perspective, we envision this film project to be very vibrant and highly engaging. Carnita Amedee We Live:Soflo Jook Documentary United States Miami, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/miami tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242630 2023-11-23T00:00:00Z 2024-03-25T22:18:46Z The vision of this project is to prepare, organise, facilitate and pay local artists to paint art works on both sides of 14 Stobie poles. These steel and concrete electricity poles are situated around the border of the Cheltenham Cemetery. Funding will help us prime stories and then provide a painting pack for local artists to use to create artworks, with everything they need for their creations. We are also interested in getting permission to paint artworks on the 2 bus stops along Port Road next to the cemetery. These works will reference local history, such as historical figures, businesses and houses in the area, reference to people and occupations of people who are buried at the cemetery. we will also incorporate the use of local flora and flora as well as recognise the indigenous presence in the area. The artists we will be giving paid work to include emerging professionals, locals to the area and local Indigenous artists who are part of local painting groups. Once all the art works are painted, we will have a launch ceremony/party for local residents and our growing network of community at large. This will be a great opportunity for neighbours to connect and new projects to be dreamed up. Chloe Bower Cheltenham Community Art Stobie Poles https://instagram.com/stobieartcheltenham?utm_source=qr&igshid=OWM2ZWI5NDFkNA== Australia Adelaide https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/adelaide tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/237786 2023-11-21T00:00:00Z 2023-11-22T03:26:32Z I am making an application on behalf of the the Vegan and Vegetarian Society of the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. The society has existed for a number of years and in that time been involved in a number of motions to promote plant-based eating and the vegan lifestyle on campus. This coming academic year, the society, under new leadership, is determined to push for a 50% plant-based campus with a commitment to becoming 100% plant-based by 2030- a project we are excited to work on and keen to acquire the resources to complete. Outside of our formal interactions with the University and its Student Union to promote veganism on campus, we also hold educational and social events across the course of the year, ranging from discussions and debates within the society or with other university societies to movie nights and BBQs. We consider these to be important in not only bringing vegans together but in providing a forum for discussion and change that may not otherwise exist. We believe that a support network and encouraging solidarity among vegans is a particularly effective way to encourage people to maintain a lifestyle which, when attempted along, can be difficult to uphold. This year we aim to increase the provision of these such events in the coming year. James Clark Warwick VegSoc https://www.warwicksu.com/societies-sports/societies/animalrights/ Worldwide Vegan (Inactive) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/vegan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/238540 2023-11-20T00:00:00Z 2023-12-01T21:32:48Z Our goal is to change the cultural perception of the 'unhoused' in Dutchess County and beyond by creating a media campaign. We believe that our storytelling 'commercials' will help viewers feel and act with empathy and realize that 'those people' could be 'my people'. To help us all realize that we are all vulnerable and responsible to help each other. The long term reason for this project is to introduce the idea of every town & city taking on some of the unhoused community (scattered site planning) so that Poughkeepsie is not burdened alone as it is presently. There are 3 stages to this - we are asking for funds for the 1st stage. 1- Host a story-telling dinner with 5 people who are/have experienced homelessness. We are working with Jasmaine Clay, who works directly with the PODS and knows the people the PODS are serving well. She has recco'd 5 people who want to share. While sharing a meal, we will ask sensitive questions & record their stories. 2- Using those stories, but protecting the persons identities we will hire actors to retell the stories. There will be a 30 sec video that will have clips from each individual story to be used for further grant $ for this stage of the project. We will record 5 individual stories. 3- Target TV stations to air our 'commercials' to the Hudson Valley community. suprina troche Culture Shift http://N/A United States Poughkeepsie, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/poughkeepsie tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239365 2023-11-20T00:00:00Z 2024-04-19T15:12:57Z Research shows that children from underserved communities are at a higher risk of entering kindergarten with poor language and literacy skills. When children hear more words from being to and engaging them in conversations, the greater the language and literacy development. Taarifa Readers and Storytellers (TRS) aims to increase early literacy awareness among families who care for children birth to eight years of age. TRS also engages families from various and diverse cultures, dispelling misconceptions, stereotypes, prejudice, or negative beliefs about another culture or race. Through sharing books, meals, stories, music and other diverse activities, children learn that there are more similarities that families share than differences. Cynthia Battle Taarifa Readers and Storytellers http://Taarifars.org United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/220849 2023-11-20T00:00:00Z 2023-11-20T21:14:20Z This yoga program will serve a population of soon-to-be-released incarcerated women and recently released women, returned citizens. This three-part series offered to both populations will focus on basic asana poses, breathwork, mindfulness, positive affirmations, and journaling. This yoga program will be in conjunction with the Televerde Foundation workforce development program. This yoga program will be embedded in the Televerde Foundation program, which focuses on incarcerated women acquiring workforce skills and certifications to achieve job placement upon release. On the personal development side, these women build strategies to reduce stress and cope with anxiety. Women in the Televerde program will be provided this 3 part yoga program to develop a yoga practice to reduce stress as they prepare to re-enter society. The second population consists of women who have already been recently released. These women will join the 3 session yoga workshop on Saturdays to continue their readjustment to society. This yoga program will be offered to both populations, while on the inside working towards release and the other group that has just recently been released. This three-part series will focus on techniques and strategies: basic asana poses, breathwork, mindfulness, and positive affirmations one can use regularly and in times of increased stress. The Televerde Foundation: https://www.televerdefoundation.org/ Dr. Donna Jagielski Yoga for Women, on the Inside and Outside Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239806 2023-11-16T00:00:00Z 2023-11-17T18:41:38Z After a long break thanks to the pandemic, Bayridge Secondary is producing its first musical since 2019: High School Musical. The students are hard at work learning the music, choreography, and alllll their lines. Because the school hasn't done a show in so long, our equipment (which was already dated) hasn't been taken are of, and many items are no longer functioning. We're looking for support in order to help our production come to life! Sophia Fabiilli Bayridge Secondary presents High School Musical Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/230911 2023-11-15T00:00:00Z 2023-11-16T00:18:59Z Sexual and domestic violence are prevalent issues in Indigenous Australian communities, and it has a severe impact on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of the affected individuals. Indigenous women are 6 times more likely to be sexually abused than non-Indigenous women and 45 times more likely to experience domestic violence in rural and remote areas than non-Indigenous women. Many survivors of sexual and domestic violence carry the trauma of their experiences long after the violence has ended, and they often struggle with various types of mental health issues. On top of these statistics, the Australian Psychological Society states that clients are often waiting up to 3 months to see a psychologist after seeking out a referral from another medical professional after experiencing a hardship or trauma. Obviously, these statistics are horrific. This is why I have developed a 12 week program for Indigenous women who have experienced sexual or domestic violence - it is the first of its kind in New South Wales. The goal of this is to provide a comprehensive healing and recovery program for Indigenous survivors with a focus on mental health support that is culturally safe and appropriate. My hopes is that with this program, we can offer support and coping strategies to the participant in the time between being approved for Victims Service counselling and their first appointment with their psychologist. The program will host group therapy sessions, and workshops centred on coping mechanisms, mental health, self-care, violence prevention as well as reconnecting participants with their community and engaging them for individual counselling. We believe that the proposed initiative will have a significant impact on the lives of Indigenous survivors and it will bring healing council and recovery to those who need at most. Darcie Cliff Survivors’ Circle: Mulubinba Australia Lake Mac https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/lakemac tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/235146 2023-11-15T00:00:00Z 2023-11-15T15:15:19Z If you have lived in Fargo long enough you will have heard " there is not much to do around here" and this is my rebuttal that mindset. This project will be a month-long bicycle tour of bike trials near Fargo, celebrating alternative transportation. I will utilize state and local bike trails to traverse ~1500 miles, stopping to photograph breathtaking sceneries and historic infrastructure, while also highlighting the ability to reach these locations all on a bicycle. Biking an average of 55 miles a day will allow this project to capture a multitude of breathtaking locations while leaving enough time to engage with the local communities and capture their stories and offerings. The bike tour will use 600+ miles of trial going through major cities like Duluth, St. Paul, Bemidji, Rochester, Park Rapids, St. Cloud, Sauk Center, Detroit Lakes and many more. All of this starting from my doorstep on Fargo. I want to prove that, with some camping gear and a bike, an average person can get out and rediscover nature! Benjamin Ockert Photographic Tour of Regional Bicycle Routes United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239758 2023-11-15T00:00:00Z 2023-12-04T23:26:13Z We are fundraising to cover production, material, and installation of Swedish artist Linnea Gad's three public art sculptures Shoals installed in Noland Park on Governors Island, NY in fall 2023. Bringing the shape of oyster reefs to land, the sculptures are a tactile response to the climate crisis as CO2 levels and the sea's acidification intertwine with the mineral lime. Gad's sculptural research revolves around the life cycle of lime, a material essential to contemporary building (in the form of cement) especially in her native Stockholm, but also crucial to stabilizing Ph-levels in the ocean and preserving shorelines (oysters), with a large presence in New York. Measuring between 4 ft wide and 11 ft high, Shoals will be made out of lime mortar, oyster shells over metal armatures. Anna Mikaela Ekstrand Linnea Gad SHOALS https://www.theimmigrantartistbiennial.com/about-2023 Worldwide On the Water https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/onthewater tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/236707 2023-11-14T00:00:00Z 2023-11-15T14:05:40Z The Ipswich Interact Club of Ipswich High School is a branch of Ipswich-Rowley Rotary. We are dedicated to the rotary model of "service above self" and strive to create and develop opportunities for high school leadership. Our club is the largest at Ipswich High School and it continues to grow, especially this school year. Every December, we put on the Jingle Bell Walk for the greater Ipswich community. The Jingle Bell Walk (JBW) is a fun holiday event that is accessible to many because a large part of it is free, but it is also our club's biggest fundraiser. The money from the JBW goes to club funding for a leadership camping retreat, a kiva microloan program, and a local charity of our choice. The JBW is student run with two co-chairs and a committee of thirteen dedicated high schoolers that starts planning for the event in August. In addition to involving students from the high school, we invited middle school students to help lead the parade from the wharf to town hall. This year we want to get more involved with Doyon and Winthrop's Early Act programs because they are our future Jingle Bell Walk leaders! Each year we like to improve and add to the event. Last year, we added a string quartet of volunteer high school orchestra members. This year we want to add a holiday hayride around the Town Hall area. Annika Johnson Ipswich Interact- Jingle Bell Walk United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/220935 2023-11-13T00:00:00Z 2023-11-13T21:14:36Z I Forgive You for Dying is a feature documentary exploring the psychology of childhood trauma through one daughter’s brave journey to forgive her father, who died fighting in the Vietnam War. Using a combination of beautiful archival film, sketch-style animation, and fascinating discussions with experts, this film uses one woman’s personal story to reveal profound breakthroughs in child psychology and mental health. As a social impact project, our goal is to spread the message that people can break cycles of generational pain and heal from childhood trauma at any age. By using cinematic, personal storytelling, we’ll capture audiences emotionally, then give them profound insights to make real change in their own lives. With the help of world-class experts, we’ll explore the impacts of war on women and children, intergenerational trauma, psychotherapy, post-traumatic growth, and ultimate healing. And we’ll use the power of animation to break down complex psychological concepts in a way that’s innovative and exciting to watch. Our passion for making this film grew from a frustration that the life-changing knowledge Jacqueline and I (the writer-director) gained in therapy is not widely accessible in America. Mental health services are expensive, confusing to navigate, and still stigmatized. In this film, our goal is to share everything we’ve read, studied, and learned about managing childhood trauma and healing from it, with the help of world-class psychologists and therapists who are innovating across the field. Mary Bronaugh I Forgive You for Dying (Feature Documentary) https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/fiscal-sponsorship/i-forgive-you-for-dying/ Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/240569 2023-11-12T00:00:00Z 2023-11-15T14:38:57Z We’re currently wrapping up our 3rd season gardening on this little urban corner lot! Each year we’ve added more cinder block beds, learned what grows well (or doesn’t), tracked where the best sunshine lands throughout the season, picked up LOTS of trash and other undesirables, heard stories of flower and vegetable gardens of people’s past from passers by, and really started to put down roots. One of our favorite (unexpected) parts of gardening here is that our urban garden has become a spontaneous learning space for the local kids on the block. After the kids on the block get back from school, they usually wander down to our office to see if we are working in the garden. They help us water, plant seeds, weed, pick up trash and are always excited to bring back vegetables, flowers, and herbs to their families. We enjoy seeing them have some greenspace to learn in and feel a sense of ownership and pride of where they live. Being able to mentor these kids makes us happy because one of the main purposes here, beyond producing flowers, is inspiring others to care about keeping the streets clean and care beautifying the places we live (or at least keeping it trash free!) We have high hopes for our 4th season in this space. We plan to increase our curb appeal especially since new businesses (like Golden Hour!) have become our neighbors and are attracting more foot traffic. We want to make sure we present a clean, verdant space that doesn’t go too neglected even when our wedding season gets busy. We’re particularly hoping to invest in beatifying the street-facing beds and tree pits for the enjoyment of the public. Kelsey Ter Meer Broadway Garden United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241135 2023-11-12T00:00:00Z 2023-11-15T05:11:32Z My awesome project's working title is On EcoAntisemitism. The piece will take the shape of a roughly hour-long solo contemporary dance performance work I perform. I like to think of the danceworks I create as choreographed essays or poems that weave movement, text, sound, video together with a choreographic method. The piece's design will be modular, facilitating its performance compatibility for many venues, including everything from a black box theater on campus at UCSC to the London Nelson Center. Thematically, the piece will investigate how antisemitism infuses ecological ideology across the political spectrum. Dance performance is essential in raising awareness around this issue because it invites the performer and audience to sensorily engage in critical thinking. Against the backdrop of a multitude of social crises, perhaps most pressingly the climate crisis, we must work together to ensure antisemitism in eco-politics is not a barrier to building a climate justice movement capable of action. Shane will be using the funding for rehearsal space as well as the production of the event. Shane Scopatz On EcoAntisemitism United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241216 2023-11-12T00:00:00Z 2023-11-15T05:12:09Z BeTV is an 8x12’ TV stage used to host various live programs, encouraging active participation from our community as opposed to passive consumerism. The design is a retro tube television facade that is laser cut and engraved on thin wood sheets and painted. The TV breaks down into smaller pieces so as to be transported easily, and is self-standing. BeTV provides a platform for radical self-expression and self-acceptance, allowing for artistic excellence as people break out of their self and socially-imposed restrictions. There is a massive potential for BeTV to become a community-based experience. Barbara will use the funding to build the structure of BeTV. Barbara Frota BeTV United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/236948 2023-11-11T00:00:00Z 2024-02-04T20:22:34Z More Than Therapy is doing a holistic healing project for therapists and other helping professionals as a program or initiative that provides support and resources to help these individuals heal from vicarious trauma and other challenges related to their work. The project will include a variety of components, such as: Educational workshops and seminars: These sessions will teach therapists and helping professionals about vicarious trauma, self-care, and other topics related to their mental health. Support groups and group therapy: These groups will provide a safe and supportive space for therapists and helping professionals to share their experiences and learn from each other. Individual therapy: Individual therapy can be helpful for therapists and helping professionals who are struggling with specific challenges, such as vicarious trauma, burnout, or compassion fatigue. Mindfulness and stress reduction programs: These programs will teach therapists and helping professionals how to manage stress and cultivate mindfulness. Retreats and workshops on holistic healing practices: These retreats and workshops will introduce therapists and helping professionals to a variety of holistic healing practices, such as yoga, meditation, and sound therapy. A holistic healing project for therapists and helping professionals will be offered in collaboration with a variety of organizations, such as mental health clinics, professional associations, and nonprofit organizations. B&D Integrated Health Services, BAART Programs, Lilyco Services, and Bend The Mind Metamorphic Academies have shown interest in collaborating. Felipe Blue Holistic Healing of Healthcare Professionals http://www.morethantherapy.org/projects United States Durham, NC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/durham tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/230916 2023-11-09T00:00:00Z 2023-11-30T00:24:00Z We are so proud to award our November 2023 grant to Ballet Explorers. We chose Ballet Explorers for their commitment to extending this art form to minority children. Congratulations! In their words, “My community project started in fulfillment of my duty as a Phillips Scholar to develop a program that addresses a need in my community. Ballet has been historically accessible primarily for people in positions of privilege and has many barriers to inclusivity. My program will tackle some barriers, making accessing dance education easier for children from minoritized communities. Ballet Scholars is a free bilingual introductory session of 3 classes for children ages 6-10. Through a partnership with St. Paul Ballet and Grand Jete, Ballet Scholars has secured a space for dance and completely free dancewear. Additionally, the program counts with transportation accommodations if the participants need them. “Pink tights and shoes are synonymous with ballet, reflecting its European aristocratic roots. This tradition catered to white dancers, using pink to visually elongate lines as pink matches their skin tone. However, Grand Jeté is changing the narrative, providing diverse skin-tone options for tights and shoes and making ballet more inclusive. Moreover, ballet's deeply gendered nature is starkly evident in its attire, which poses challenges to inclusivity among non-binary and transgender individuals. The traditional binary division of ballet costumes into male and female designs reinforces a limited and outdated perspective on gender. To foster a more inclusive environment, participants are given three distinct attire choices to ensure they can choose one that reflects their identity. “Ballet Explorers enriches kids' dance education by inviting local artists to conduct workshops introducing diverse dance styles. These workshops follow ballet lessons. Additionally, Ballet Explorers enhances the learning environment with live piano accompanists, fostering an immersive dance journey for explorers for children. It also provided kids with snacks and water to enjoy during a break that allows them to share stories through food and socialize with others.” Emilia Garrido Vasquez Ballet Explorers https://sites.google.com/view/balletexplorers/home United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239063 2023-11-08T00:00:00Z 2023-12-13T19:11:53Z I work at Scarlett Middle School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Scarlett is a Title 1 school that is consistently named one of the most diverse middle schools in Michigan and is part of the only International Baccalaureate K-12 full continuum in the state. Our club is a part of a larger organization known as Project LIT which is is a network of dedicated teachers and students who are committed to increasing access to culturally relevant books and promoting a love of reading in our schools and communities. Books are chosen by the Project LIT community and from the curated list, the club members vote on which ones to read. Project LIT at Scarlett began as a humble book club via Zoom during COVID when I was completely disconnected from my library, the books, and the students. I delivered books to homes and we meet and discussed them via Zoom once a week. Since that start 4 years ago, it has become a club complete with *a place for students to find themselves in books and learn about others in books (windows, mirrors, sliding glass doors) *service projects like collecting items needed for refugees in our community upon reading When Stars Are Scattered by Omar Mohamed and Victoria Jamieson *events to educate our community like holding an Escape the Library event to educate others about interracial marriage, The Green Book, and other issues upon reading Clean Getaway by Nic Stone *Project LIT Buddies where we go over to our nearby K-5 building and do literacy activities with a class of Kindergarteners *adding the 8+ copies of books we’ve read to the library collection for other students to check out and read as well as allowing classroom teachers’ the opportunity to leverage those books for literature circles in their classrooms It has been a joy to see this club grow and expand and incorporate new ideas every year! Deb Schreck Project LIT - More than just a Book Club http://n/a United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239113 2023-11-08T00:00:00Z 2023-12-03T15:40:14Z The scope of this project is a year-long, ongoing series of monthly farm visits with students and educators. We have been asked by multiple community educators to develop educational partnerships for their students, and this school year we have initiated a partnership with North Carroll Community School. Farm students will: -learn about methods and production (ecological impact of farming operations) -contribute to farm work at their level (animal chores, weeding, planting) -grow some of their own food, to be donated to Food Sunday. Students will have regular, ongoing engagement with the ecological and community health aspects of local farming, and develop their identities as community members and stakeholders.  Julia Captain Farm School Partnership (K-8) http://www.captainfamilyfarms.com United States Westminster, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/westminster tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/234008 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z 2023-11-28T13:46:07Z I’m a barber teacher here in Philadelphia,now I teach an introduction class to this amazing craft that saved my life . I now teach in the juvenile justice center here in Philadelphia. I work with hundreds of students that all committed crimes but now I’m redirecting their mindset to see the joy in a tactical craft like barbering . I teach them for 2hr a week and out of 250 student I identify 10 with a natural gift of barbering. When teaching them they realized it came easy . So I promised them when they get released I would get them a set of clippers to start their path to barbering and with hopes to stay out of the streets and out of trouble P.Michael Boone Guns down clippers up http://www.pmichael.org United States Philadelphia, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/philadelphia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/238284 2023-11-07T00:00:00Z 2023-12-06T06:08:00Z Who said trick or treating is just for kids?? Dance O Ween is a massive open-invite dance party parade that takes place on Halloween night. 800+ people in costumes take over the streets and bring whimsy and play to the city. We'll start at 16th & Mission bart plaza, and walk throughout the Mission, ending up at Mission Valencia playground. We'll have mobile sound systems, DJs, and experiences. At each of the three stops there are fun experiences (pizza, champagne, games, schticks, and more). EVERYONE IS INVITED. IT IS ALWAYS FREE. ON HALLOWEEN. WITH TRICKS AND TREATS. LET’S DANCE. Partiful Event: https://partiful.com/e/jOdiisPhLvJgA4I9gn7d Invite Video: http://y2u.be/NqH07_aKSrI ** I know it's a bit late - we just found out about you! Regardless of the decision, you should all join! Elyse Lefebvre Dance O Ween https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqH07_aKSrI&ab_channel=ElyseLefebvre United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/221217 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z 2023-11-06T21:25:38Z Hope Career Development Center (HCDC) is a non-profit organization incorporated as a 501(c)3 in the state of Georgia, USA, and as an LTD/GTE in Nigeria for training centers. HCDC is located in Awe Town, Oyo State, Nigeria, and established as a Free Skills Empowerment Center. HCDC trains and support the underprivileged and vulnerable young adults within (18-25 years of age) and high school students (11- 17 years of age) via free skill acquisition and after school programs, with a goal to gain employment and business opportunities. The training ranges from 6 months to two years. Hope Career Development Center’s (HCDC) mission is to liberate young people from unemployment by providing them with vocational skills that will earn them a livelihood and contribute to the overall development of their community. Our vision is to be the driving force that uplifts youth out of poverty by providing them with vocational skills. HCDC aims to produce skilled artisans who can offer services such as fashion design, barbing, floor tiling, hairdressing, carpentry, bricklaying, catering, and electrical work. HCDC's qualitative targets are jobless young adults in our communities, both male and female, who roam the streets, commit crimes, and engage in undesirable activities. HCDC has partnered with AFIJIO Local Government to use its building, which consists of four classrooms for fashion design, hairdressing, catering, and electrical, tiling, carpentry, and bricklaying, respectively. Christina Adeshakin, a retiree from the USA is primarily responsible for the establishment of Hope Career Development Center. On February 28, 2022 her dream became a reality with the emergence of HCDC, it had over 175 trainees, 14 staff members, and over 600 applicants on its waiting list. In 2022, HCDC graduated 99 trainees, and by the end of this year, 90 more trainees should be in line for graduation. The organization needs funding to continue its operation. Hope Career Development Center Hope Career Development Center Vocational Skills http://hcdcempowerment.org Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/227049 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z 2024-02-28T01:35:17Z The Smile & Thrive Dental Program aims to address the declining health and hygiene of at-risk primary school students from disadvantaged families in the Newcastle area. By providing dental appointments and mentoring sessions over a meal, we foster valuable relationships and create positive memories that promote a sense of belonging and safety. Through partnerships with local schools and Grill'd Kotara, we tackle the issue of neglected dental care by offering early intervention, dental hygiene education, and access to necessary tools. Our program emphasises social inclusion, accessibility, and social participation, providing vital support to those in need. Success for us means improved oral health, enhanced dental hygiene practices, increased emotional resilience, and better overall wellbeing among these students. We also strive to create a community where every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive academically and personally. The Smile & Thrive Dental Program addresses the pressing issue of tooth decay among children in Newcastle. With around 2 in 5 children in Australia experiencing decay in primary teeth and 1 in 4 in permanent teeth, the program focuses on at-risk students from disadvantaged backgrounds. By providing dental appointments, mentoring, and oral health education, our aim is to improve oral health outcomes and overall wellbeing. The program delivers social benefits by alleviating pain, discomfort, and embarrassment, fostering positive relationships, and creating a sense of belonging. It also drives environmental changes by promoting sustainable oral health habits and raising community awareness. Through ongoing evaluations, we monitor improvements in oral health, decay rates, and community engagement. The Smile & Thrive Dental Program strives to effectively address tooth decay's social and environmental challenges for children in Newcastle. Emma Griffin Smile and Thrive Dental Program https://www.livefreeproject.org.au/ Australia Newcastle https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newcastle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/234246 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z 2023-11-01T20:31:18Z At Good Karma Bikes, we will never turn away a kid in need of a bike. This fall, we have pledged to provide 100+ bikes to children at Cassell School in East San Jose.. The school is currently reporting 55% of their students as chronically absent. That is 48% than the state average. Absenteeism is defined as missing 10 or more instructional school days. Many of these children have parents that work multiple jobs and find themselves struggling to get to school. We have also committed to providing them with helmets and locks. Jenny Circle Break the Cycle of Absenteeism https://goodkarmabikes.org/gkb-cy-cassell/ United States San Jose, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sanjose tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/237376 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z 2023-11-14T00:59:49Z I live in a vulnerable community in Social and Affordable Housing in Mt Druitt and have reached out to the community to start an art and craft class, where I bring together men and women of all ethnic and financial backgrounds to learn different art techniques. Many of the men and women who participate in this group experience mental ill health, isolation and loneliness and this workshop gives them a safe place to meet people, to find friends and to build life skills. This art class has created a lot of purpose for this community, and has helped people to make social connections and feel safe and welcome to come out of their units to interact. So far, I have been self-funding this project. I, myself, am financially burdened by this class but cannot stop it as it helps so many people. It also helps me, as I experience mental ill health, and running this class helps me to come out of my self-isolation once a fortnight and connect with some wonderful people, who are eager to learn. In this class, I have taught the community how to dirty pour, how to decoupage and have many plans for other techniques that I am skilled in, and that people have been requesting to learn. Most recently, we have moved into holiday enthusiasm and are currently working on and brainstorming ideas for Christmas art and craft for gifts and decorations. A huge part of my project is bringing together people who would normally isolate themselves and become disconnected from the community. This project brings together people from all backgrounds to work and learn and laugh together to create unique artworks. It will make Sydney (Western Sydney) a more #awesome place as it brings positivity, community and connection to its residents. Debbi-Ann Cain Deb's Pouring and Craft Sanctuary Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/235317 2023-10-31T00:00:00Z 2023-11-10T15:14:55Z The Reignite Residency is a performing arts residency that works to alleviate the barriers and challenges of caregivers in the arts, with a special emphasis on those returning to the field. Intended for women, trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and BIPOC individuals, this residency serves people who need a hand reemerging into the theatrical performing arts field. The first residency of its kind, the 14th Street Y is bringing its decades of experience cultivating and platforming artists to give those returning to their fields all the resources necessary to reignite their work. The Residency is intended to create a supportive environment and an accessible entry point back into art by providing time, rehearsal space, technical, front of house, marketing and administrative support, and a stipend for the artist. This stipend is given to ensure that the artists can focus on themselves, their own care, and their work: it is vital to the execution of this program. Residents will also have a stage manager that will partner with the cohort to manage their rehearsals, meetings, and general project support to alleviate the additional burden of planning and administrative needs from the artist. Shain Slepian / 14th Street Y The Reignite Residency https://www.14streety.org/artsandculture/14y-artist-residency/ United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/237974 2023-10-31T00:00:00Z 2023-11-01T22:01:21Z Our awesome project is named BlindRocks. BlindRocks is an inspiring non-profit organization dedicated to working in the art and adventure field. Our flagship initiative, the BlindRocks band, is composed entirely of blind and visually impaired members who passionately engage in performances at a variety of events. Music, for us, is not just entertainment; it's a powerful healing remedy that transcends physical barriers. However, a daunting issue stands in the way of realizing the full potential of our talented members. While the majority of them are deeply enthusiastic about singing, and for many, it serves as a significant source of income, there's a glaring challenge that impedes their progress: the lack of accessible music notations designed for the blind and visually impaired. These individuals face an insurmountable barrier in reading and interpreting music notation, preventing them from pursuing professional careers as singers or music educators. This crucial problem extends beyond their individual aspirations. It's about equal participation and contribution to the field of music, a field where their immense potential and passion remain largely untapped. We are at a turning point and recognize the urgency of the situation. BlindRocks is committed to filling this gap in the music industry by publishing Braille books of music notation, thereby empowering the visually impaired to fulfill their dreams and play an active role in the world of music. Our mission is to break down these barriers, opening doors to professional growth and creative expression for those who deserve every opportunity to shine in the world of music. BlindRocks is committed to making this vision a reality. **What our grantee is saying:** "Our awesome project, BlindRocks, is dedicated to empowering blind and visually impaired individuals through art and adventure. Receiving the Awesome Disability October Award is a testament to the importance of our mission. It not only recognizes our efforts but also strengthens our resolve to break down barriers and create a more inclusive music industry. This award will enable us to publish Braille books of music notation, giving visually impaired individuals the opportunity to fulfill their musical dreams. It's a crucial step toward equal participation and contribution to the world of music. We are deeply grateful for this award, and we are committed to making this vision a reality." BlindRocks Publication of Music Notation Book in Braille https://blindrocks.org/ Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239127 2023-10-31T00:00:00Z 2023-11-12T14:34:02Z CreativeSpice intend to run a series of 6 workshops for 10-15 attendees, (1 per week), in jewellery making for local women and children at Granby& Dingle Children's Centre, Eversley St, Liverpool, L8 2TU offered to us free of charge by Jane MacMillan, acting coordinator. The participants will work through a variety of jewellery projects using various tools and materials. The Jewel in the Crown project is a fun and creative project aimed specifically at women and young girls. It was identified to be a solution to the growing number of stressed out mothers in need of a release from life's anxieties and to boost mental health. After speaking with Jane, she had felt that the project would benefit the mothers who attend the centre. We believe our project to be the ideal creative therapy! All delivered in a fun environment filled with music, jokes and laughter! The link between the arts and mental well-being is not a new phenomenon. Every wellness activity in some way, utilises the media of art; it has long been recognised as viable sources to help alleviate the symptoms of mild to severe mental health issues. This activity will reduce negative feelings, encourage cohesion, reduce isolation, allow participants to integrate with the wider community and to gain new skills and potential employment . Awesome grant will enable us to buy the necessary materials. Often these mothers are single parents, thus this will allow us to offer free sessions for the already cash-strapped demography of those in the local area. Desired Outcomes: stronger individuals and an increase in personal agency provide employment opportunities Commitment to SDGs 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 How outcomes will lead to impact: Our project assumes that by engaging communities in low-tech, cost-effective, out-of-the-box activities to improve wellbeing will increase an individual’s capacity to withstand social stressors, raise awareness about holistic mental health management and increase community resilience; Sharon Walker Jewel in the crown http://www.creativespice.org.uk United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239352 2023-10-31T00:00:00Z 2023-11-12T14:34:22Z Zap Graffiti aim to build a new paint space where people of all ages can come and create large scale artwork on a daily basis. After 14 fruitful years at our site on Oldham Place, our building was condemned, and we have had to recolate luckily for us, to Liverpool’s thriving Baltic Triangle, where we have our studios now at 59-61 BLUNDELL ST. However we had no space to continue our unique graffiti art space outside. We have taken up the offer to create a space to continue this at the Black Lodge Brewery on the neighbouring KINGS DOCK STREET. We need your help for us to construct a series of hoardings around this site. The public would then be free to come and paint these walls each day! We also offer classes to the public and to groups, which in turn pay for the space rental. Kieran Gorman ZAP GRAFFITI PAINT SPACE https://www.zapgraffiti.co.uk/ United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239057 2023-10-30T00:00:00Z 2023-11-01T22:56:41Z Founded by Eddie Harris and Nessar Jahanbin, Treehouse is a groundbreaking, multi-disciplinary art gallery and music venue, meticulously crafted by artists for artists based in Uptown. It stands as a vibrant embodiment of the free expression and boundless creativity of emerging talent in today's artistic landscape. With a vision to establish itself as an integral cornerstone within the rich tapestry of D.C. 's art and performance community, Treehouse is poised to be a beacon for artistic innovators, collaborators, and performers. Opening to the public for the first time as part of DC’s Art All Night on September 23rd, 2023, Treehouse featured 14 artists of various mediums, two jazz sets by the incredible Herb Scott presented by Sonic Lifeline and a live vinyl DJ set. We felt it was important to have our first event focused on the beauty of improvisation and being present, which is core to both jazz and DJing. The experimentation of mixing different expressions of art and bringing all walks of life from the community is an example of what to expect from Treehouse. Treehouse also seeks to develop artists of all skill levels by not only providing gallery space without bureaucracy, but providing workshops and mentorship to artists (and the broader DC community) to refine their skills and learn how to navigate the art space. Workshops can be tactical such as learning how to screenprint to professional development such as how to sustain yourself financially as an artist. This stemmed from conversations we have had with artists of different disciplines all finding a common experience with struggling to create while also supporting themselves. We believe by facilitating knowledge sharing, we are benefitting artists of all time and giving them the tools to continue creating. Above all, just as playing in a Treehouse as a child always has a sense of whimsy and carefreeness – we want people to have fun and be able to have a moment of solace. Qaree Dreher Treehouse DC https://www.treehousedreamers.com/ United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/220783 2023-10-30T00:00:00Z 2023-10-30T19:14:15Z Our philosophy is that we, as humans, sail the sea, fly the sky, and explore the universe, yet we don’t know what lies beneath our feet. Our team of explorers endeavors to discover, explore, and document caves and their resources (groundwater, biology, archeology, paleontology) throughout the world and to share the results to help make the subterranean world less mysterious. While our project areas extend from Montenegro and Slovenija in Europe, to Virginia and Wyoming in the USA, for 2023, we are continuing the exploration of newly discovered caves in the Kucka Korita area of Montenegro. This rugged, spectacular area in the Dinaric Alps is interesting because of its dry, hostile karst terrain, despite receiving some of Europe’s highest precipitation rates. This contradiction exists because all of that water is disappearing underground into the vast network of caves. To get there, we cross six countries and juggle six nationalities and cultures. The local communities still get their water from one small spring that supplies the whole area. For some families, this means several kilometers of travel on steep, rugged roads to resupply with this most basic necessity of life. Something many of us take for granted. Despite hardship, these people welcome us every year, allow us to camp on their land, and supply us with food, often without asking for anything in return. We hope that our exploration and study of the caves and karst of Kucka Korita will better our understanding and help protect the precious water resources of the region. We have surveyed and mapped more than 50 newly discovered caves and discovered new subterranean species. Our focus for 2023 will be to continue the exploration of two caves found in 2022. The results of these exciting discoveries will be presented in journals and at conferences and educational events in Europe and the USA. Most recently, in 2022, we presented our findings at the International Congress of Speleology in Savoie, France. Katarina Kosic Ficco Cave and karst exploration of Montenegro http://tarplifeadventures.com Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239786 2023-10-30T00:00:00Z 2023-10-31T11:50:12Z Two rocking chairs near the entrance to FusionFest, Grandpa Nunu sits in one and greets each person entering a part of his family, welcoming them to sit down and talk. He'll engage in a real (or fictional) conversation for up to five minutes making each person feel specia and loved. Teuruhei Buchin Unique, Inclusive Welcome for thousands http://www.FusionFest.org United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/orlando