Awesome Foundation - Projects

Fleurieu – "Colours of Life" Workshops

2024-04-16T00:00:00Z

"Colours of Life" aims to reach out to those in the community who would like to use art to express emotions relating to their grief. "Colours of Life" workshops are creative, art focused and provide people the opportunity to share, in a relaxed space, life experiences of grief, loss, memories of a life lived and hopes into the future. This group also has a closed weekly peer support group for those who want to stay connected. Southern Vale Compassionate Communities, connects with our community in order to understands what is needed, when living with a life limiting illness, caring for others and grieving. Wherever possible, small projects are carried out to support the communities. Feedback from participants. * Thankyou for today. It gave me space to enjoy in a new way. It has come in a good time of my life. The chatting is also very good. * “Seasons of Life" has been a healing experience for me, as well as a wonderful experience of self development, reflection, expression and connection. Vivi and Chris provided a warm, safe, inviting creative space that allowed me to feel confident to share and reflect on my experiences. • It’s been wonderful to meet new friends and take time to listen to others while also being listened to.

Fleurieu – Operation Flinders

2024-04-16T00:00:00Z

Seaford Independent Learning Centre (SILC) consists of 120 students, ranging from Year 9 - 12. SILC provides students with a flexible, tailored learning program for young people that are unable to connect in a mainstream education setting. This is generally as a result of the challenging and diverse backgrounds such a mental health/trauma, family life and community connection. Operation Flinders is located 600 km north of Adelaide, on Yankaninna Station (Northern Flinders Ranges). Over the eight days, we will be self-sufficient, carrying all sleeping, camping and personal equipment and walking up to 100 km. Daily activities will include bush survival skills and cooking, team building activities, learning about local Indigenous culture, long days of walking and talking and more! Operation Flinders aims to transform young people’s lives through evidence-based remote, outback intervention programs. And that is exactly what they did! It’s hard to put into words just how Operation Flinders influenced and changed the lives of the young people. This is a snapshot of a reflection from one of our young people from 2022: ‘It’s been over a month since flinders…Even now, I’m different than what I was before flinders…I’m a better person now, not a good person, but I’m working on it day by day, and it would be so much harder if I hadn’t had gone on Operation Flinders.’ This year, we will be taking 10 of our young people in June to experience this life changing journey for themselves and looking to our community to support such a great cause!

Utrecht – Het Grote Kleine Mensen Festival

2024-04-15T00:00:00Z

So. For some time we have been organising the 'Grote Kleine Mensen Diner'. Which is an event where children in the ages of 5 till 10 take over our restaurant. The kids need to apply for the position they'd like to work in. Just imagine, we get letters of recommendation from their parents telling us that they've worked with Tim for the last 7 years and just fill in how this letter can be the cutest thing ever, getting resumes from 5 year Mees, receiving videos through WhatsApp with 8 year old Rafi showing how he made diner (Nasi Goreng). This is just the start, we get together with all the kids and that's when it starts. We give them a tour through the restaurant, sit down and explain how everything is gonna go down. Let them make a menu and ask who wants to work in which position: Chef, dishwasher, service or bar. On the day itself the kids do EVERYTHING, the only thing we do is check that they don't work to hard or hurt themselves. Because this is something they love to and wanted to do themselves, in stead of a schoolassignment, they all really enjoy the day. The guests are only their parents and friends. Every cent we receive that day is donated to a charity that the kids choose themselves. So this is the small version, we want to make it bigger. So we joined forces with a few of our neighbours and some partners we work with, and this time... ITS GONNA BE A FESTIVAL. We will be providing a few foodstand and drinks talks, there will be a DJ, theater, spoken word, tax advice and a lot more different places for the kids to work!

Cass Clay – Rebooting The Tell

2024-04-15T00:00:00Z

The Tell was a storytelling event similar in structure to The Moth which operated in Fargo-Moorhead until late 2019 when its founder and manager moved from the area. Several regular participants and volunteers have longed to restart The Tell and decided to pursue a reboot. We've held several brainstorming and organizing sessions, including research into venues and other costs. We plan to hold the first event of the new TELL on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Cellar 624 (formerly the VIP Room). We plan monthly events through June-November and January-May with a year-end "Tell-Off" where the story winners from the previous months compete to be the TELL champion. Each event features about six storytellers who are drawn at random from those wishing to Tell. Between each story we will feature music from a local musician or group and the musicians receive an honorarium for performing. The venue cost is $100/hour plus bar minimum and is the major expense. The logo and facebook page will be updated. Promotion to begin in May. We have to provide a platform or riser, and a basic (one microphone) sound system, but the venue will store it for us. The platform is the only significant startup/one-time expense. The Tell's former designer/social media promoter, Kay Weiss, has agreed to resume her role and we have access to records and samples of written materials (ballots, judging criteria, etc.). We plan to charge an admission of $10-$20 per person. The fee is still to be determined, but is intended to be affordable, yet keep the event self-sustaining after startup.

St. Paul, MN – Downtown Blues

2024-04-11T00:00:00Z

AwesomeStPaul is looking forward to seeing this video about drug abuse in our community and how this problem can be discussed and solutions offered. Congratulations to our April grantee! Robert Ryan, our grant award winner, said, “I myself have just passed my two year sobriety date after getting clean from fentanyl in 2021. I plan to make a documentary about the current problems the local St. Paul community is facing, specifically in regards to drug/fentanyl use. I plan to interview parents of my friends that have passed from it, others like me who are in recovery and active users about what they believe may be a way to combat and solve this crisis. I want to gain insight about what is needed in order to start curbing the ongoing problems, along with getting personal stories about how it has affected everyone's lives, from both the user's and non-user's perspectives. I plan to post this video on YouTube, as well as sending it to foundations/organizations that operate here in the Twin Cities who are working towards the same goal. Finally, I plan to send copies of the video to our legislators and those in power who have the ability to make some much needed changes.”

Westminster, MD – Bright Minds

2024-04-10T00:00:00Z

Elevator Pitch Bright Minds is a no-cost K12 tutoring program that supports the underprivileged and under-resourced students in Westminster. The founder of the program, Kayla Solinsky, believes that all students are brilliant and deserve an opportunity to succeed academically. Bright Minds is a personal project, because Kayla Solinsky was one of those talented, under-privileged students. She is the daughter of a Jamaican immigrant and single mother. She spent her childhood growing up below the poverty line and used education as a way to escape abject poverty. Solinsky graduated from Stanford University thanks to the generosity of Bill and Melinda Gates and the Gates Millennium Scholarship, an award that covers full college tuition. Bright Minds is a way to give back to under-resourced K12 students with educational programming at no cost in four sections: a) weekly tutoring; b) student newspaper; c) STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) programming; and, d) educational enrichment.

Ann Arbor, MI – Ethnic Hair Care for our food pantry

2024-04-10T00:00:00Z

We are a small non-profit organization that provides case management services to a housing development, Hilltop View, in Dexter, Michigan. In partnership with Avalon Housing, we support 24 units in this development. In addition to providing case management services, we also have an on-site pantry, which every resident of Hilltop has access to for food and other household products, including hair care products. Over 70% of the residents of Hilltop identify as BIPOC. We would like to have more ethnic hair care products in our pantry, Ethnic hair care products are significantly more expensive than other hair care products, and our pantry budget is stretched already due to the increased cost of food in general. We currently purchase them when we have available funds but would love to have a dedicated amount that would help keep consistent stock in our pantry for residents who need them.

San Jose, CA – Naglee Park Porchfest 2024

2024-04-10T00:00:00Z

This celebration of music and community is one of the neighborhood's favorite days. This will be the 5th year that our community will be throwing such a musical, inclusive, family friendly event. PorchFest was originally designed to bring door-to-door cheer during the Summer of 2020 when many neighbors were still fearful to leave their homes due to COVID-19 safety. In 2019, PorchFest bands were mobile throughout the neighborhood - bringing the show to the doorsteps of our neighbors. This year, we will continue the stationary, outdoor stages (encouraging neighbors to walk & bike to various locations) which began in 2021 as COVID-19 gathering restrictions began loosening. Many neighbors choose to pull block party permits, invite food trucks, host small parties on their front lawns and driveways. The event is as festive as "host" neighbors want it to be. PorchFest strives to support local artists, technicians, and vendors 2024 will bring together 6 hosts/stages which will feature 6 different bands. Neighbors are encouraged to roam the neighborhood, listen to great music, meet up with friends and neighbors that we may be too busy to see regularly and connect as a neighborhood / community.

Ipswich, MA – Sustainability Garden Dinner

2024-04-09T00:00:00Z

This year the Ipswich High School Environmental Club is hoping to host a community Garden Dinner at the school garden. We aim for this dinner to be a night where members of the community can come together to learn what the Environmental Club does not only for our school, but for Ipswich as a whole, while eating some yummy sustainably grown food outdoors. The garden setting is what makes this event really special. Generation Growers Garden was built to connect the youngest generations of our town to the oldest. Precovid Ipswich students worked with elderly Ipswich residents to tend and care for this outdoor space. The Environmental Club is hoping to rekindle this relationship in the coming year and work hand in hand with willing community members. At dinners past we have had guest speakers and volunteer student musician groups perform. All around, it is a beautiful night for our community to connect to youth climate leaders, learn a thing or two and help support a student in their future in sustainability. This event will help us fundraise for our yearly Sustainability Scholarship that is awarded to an Ipswich High School senior who is planning on focusing their future studies on the environment. This year our goal is to hold this event on Friday May 24th or Saturday May 25th. Ipswich Education Foundation (IEF) has pledged to match the amount of money this event brings in which will double the scholarship amount.

Brumadinho (Inactive) – Musica na Comunidade

2024-04-09T00:00:00Z

A música é importante para a integração das crianças na vida escolar e pode-se afirmar que a música na escola estimula o bom convívio social, a harmonia, o desenvolvimento da fala, da respiração, da autoestima e do próprio desenvolvimento cognitivo da criança tendo em vista a empatia com a natureza e bem estar ao próximo.A prática de instrumentos musicais vem ocorrendo nas escolas por meio de projetos e aulas curriculares ou mesmo como parte das aulas de artes. A flauta doce tem sido um dos instrumentos escolhidos, principalmente porque é de baixo custo e de fácil transporte e tem uma emissão sonora muito fácil e rápida de ser aprendida em estudos iniciais Um pouco sobre mim: O ano de 1999 foi o marco inicial da trajetória do Musico Paulo Alves Nogueira Junior, começando minha performance na iniciação na música no Conservatório Carlos Gomes, tocando o instrumento chamado trompa, 1 ano depois observei que o instrumento Trompete me chamava mas atenção e desde esse momento tenho toca-lo com todo orgulho como principal objetivo levar música de qualidade e grandeza. Logo começou a participar de vários projetos educacionais e junto tocando em vários conjuntos musicais Valor Aprovado: R$ 700,00

Newburgh, NY – Goudy Wildlife Club of Newburgh

2024-04-07T00:00:00Z

I am founding an experimental arts & culture organization that will serve as a performance and exhibition venue and third space for the residents of and visitors to the east end of the city center of Newburgh, on Chambers Street in the city's First Ward. To begin, I am pairing up with local actor Damian Hughes to produce the first two of a series of performance salons to occur on Friday evenings in April and May of this year. The long term goals of this project are to provide space and resources for local artists and citizens to make and exhibit art work of various kinds, to stage theatrical performances of modest size but ambitious scope, and generally act as a noncommercial space where people can be without having to spend money. These kinds of places are going to be increasingly important as the city continues to develop and commercial interests become more important to the fiscal bottom line of Newburgh. This project is going to take the name of the Goudy Wildlife Club of Newburgh, a defunct organization named after the father of American typography and dedicated to engagement with the natural world. My reincarnation of this group will expand the scope and interest of the charter to include the wildlife inside the city limits, and most especially the wild life that people themselves construct to make meaning of life here, and to forge important bonds between their fellow humans.

Adelaide – Miracle League

2024-04-05T00:00:00Z

The Port Adelaide District Baseball Club is bringing Miracle League to South Australia – and the nation! Miracle League is a custom-designed barrier-free baseball field where players of all ages and abilities can hit, run, catch and play ball. The filed is specifically equipped with a cushioned synthetic surface that allows players utilising wheelchairs and walkers to move unrestricted without fear or injury. A buddy system is used, pairing each player with a volunteer buddy who may assist in hitting, running, catching - or just cheering on! The Miracle League is about making new friends, building self-esteem and experiencing the joy of playing ball. Our mission is to: * provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities to be part of a team * promote community sport and sponsorship * promote construction and maintenance of facilities that meets the needs of players and their families. Miracle League is well established in the USA; refer https://www.miracleleague.com , however there is nothing like it in South Australia. We are working on an initial 6-week program, run outside of our usual baseball season and using our existing facilities and playing diamond. This of course will require specialised adjustments ie: wheelchair access matting (laid on top of the grass field) and modified equipment (balls, bats, safety helmets). We are also required to attain registration through Miracle League in USA (which is what the Awesome Grant is helping fund). Our grand plan is to secure a grant and an ongoing sponsor to build a 'permanent' fit-for-purpose field so we can collaborate with community groups to host Miracle League events all year round.

Sydney – The Good Life: Voices from Sydney's Streets [wt]

2024-04-04T00:00:00Z

For 6-months, I've led a creative writing group at the Ozanam Learning Centre, Woolloomooloo, (https://www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/find-help/ozanam-learning-centre) which serves the homeless and disadvantaged community with therapeutic, creative and practical experiences. The group has focused on poetry and also includes prose, humour and other forms of writing. The writers' talent is incredible and they have been overwhelmingly positive in their feedback for the group. Multiple participants have expressed the desire to be published and creating our own small-run volume of poetry and prose is more appropriate (and less stressful for writers) than mainstream publishing. I would like to print 100 copies of a 80-page A5, hardcover books. This would give participants a really special keepsake for them and friends, as well as offer copies at an open day to recoup costs. Leading the group is a highlight of my week and real joy, which has opened doors of understanding regarding literature to people who deserve access to beauty, creativity, historical context and the life of the mind and deserve to be heard. The theme of 'The Good Life' has been an overarching idea, one of the great conversations stretching back to Ancient Greece, Persia, China and beyond. Within this, we have explored the many sub-catalysts for writing - the many types of friendships, home, hospitality, new beginnings, hope, freedom and so forth. It has also been striking that when discussing the group, it's not uncommon for people to react with surprise that people who are / have been homeless are interested in and capable of literary acumen and accomplishment. It's something I was unsure of when starting the group but have been delighted beyond measure at the talent and brilliance in our creative writers. This will be a project that shares the profundity and sophistication of voices of people who've faced homelessness in Sydney. This is a non-commercial printing of poetry that I'd also like to excerpt in literary outlets and make available to public libraries/some schools potentially. "We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race." (Walt Whitman)

Rotterdam – The Big Paper Recycling Street Party with Cubcho

2024-04-03T00:00:00Z

The Big Paper Recycling Street Party with Cubcho I am excited to introduce a unique community project aimed at promoting sustainability and creativity in Rotterdam through the innovative use of recycled paper and my Cubcho tool. Cubcho is a child-friendly tool designed to transform recycling paper into perfect building blocks. Beyond just fostering messy and creative play, Cubcho instills in children the importance of environmental stewardship from a young age. I propose organizing a series of free workshops on the streets of Rotterdam where families can gather to recycle their waste paper and create their own objects using the Cubcho tools. Additionally, I will develop a giant Cubcho press specifically for these events, capable of molding recycled paper into functional household items such as shelves, bowls, and pencil holders, and various other fascinating objects. I envision these events as a neighborhood “Paper parties”. People can bring their paper waste, enjoy music, participate in hands-on activities with the Cubcho tool, and take home a cool object they've created themselves. I will teach them how to easily preparing paper pulp and use the material for creative projects at home, inviting people on a fun creative journey while promoting art and sustainability in a simple way. I am eager to host three workshops at Teilingerstraat 126 (where our studio - The Sun - is located) on the public tables lining the sidewalk. The space offers room for people to gather and children to safely play. However, it is underutilized due to its messy and neglected state. We witnessed significant improvement last June after cleaning the tables, coinciding with a free workshop I conducted for the neighborhood. Additionally, my ultimate aspiration is one day to design and install a permanent installation on the street, offering people the freedom to transform waste paper into objects. I'm convinced this project will bring fun, new friendships, and awareness about recycling.

Newcastle – Built In-Kind - Building a workshop

2024-04-03T00:00:00Z

Built in-Kind is a social enterprise workshop that offers design, tool-use and construction skill classes to members of our community, with a particular focus on creating Trauma-Informed, welcoming and safe environments for people who may have experienced marginalisation and social disadvantage. The World Health Organisation (WHO), state that the leading causes of global gender inequality are violence against women, and deaths during child-birth. Marginalization is reinforced by societal gendered norms. WHO states in their ‘RESPECT’ women, preventing violence against women report (2019) that initiatives that aim to disrupt these gendered norms, re-calibrating the balance of power in society, is instrumental to seeing this equity gap close. Built In-Kind understands this enterprise to be the perfect opportunity to be part of a societal shift, a recalibration on ‘gendered norms’ – changing both how society as a whole understands the capacity of women, but also presents the opportunity to shape individuals understandings of their own capacity and abilities. While this is true for women who experience violence, this is also true for many social groups who have experienced marginalisation. Built In-Kind has partnered with social service experts, such as DV support workers, occupational therapists, disability support workers and indigenous knowledge holders to identify primary community groups that would benefit from our workshops, and the key outcomes these groups may be seeking. Examples of these needs include maintenance skills development (so that people are more likely to get their rental bonds back and a positive rental history), to meeting friends and networking with community, or to exercise creative expression and story-telling and sculpture. Built In-Kind operates out of The Soap Factory – an amazing heritage building located in Mayfield East. It hosts a collective of 8 artisanal makers and fabricators.

San Francisco, CA – Artivism at the Border

2024-04-02T00:00:00Z

In the past year, I made six trips to the border to offer art projects to children waiting in shelters in Mexicali, Baja. From painting with watercolors, to beading bracelets and necklaces, to making puppets, piñatas, and memory bookmaking, the children, with the help of their parents, got a break from the monotony of waiting for their asylum appointments with immigration, and got a chance to express themselves through various art mediums. Along with art supplies, I loaded up my van with donations such as dry goods and hygiene products from local community members. I drove my van down through California, sometimes picking up more donations along the way from friends and family. This grant will support the continuation of this work.

Rhode Island – Muscle Brunch: ART/PE

2024-04-01T00:00:00Z

Muscle Brunch is a gym community that provides inclusive and safe fitness experiences in Rhode Island. Boutique gyms are often inaccessible to women and queer people, who are generally compensated less than cisgender men by employers. Muscle Brunch wants to address this by building a new fitness culture rooted in accessibility and care, one that supports physical and mental health by cultivating a place of belonging for individuals currently marginalized in gym environments. Longer-term, they hope to establish the first fitness facility centering women and queer individuals in Providence. Their current traveling program brings educational workshops directly to artist studios; workshops are guided by certified RI-based fitness instructors. The Awesome Foundation Rhode Island grant will assist Muscle Brunch in test marketing their offerings and understanding the community's fitness needs.

Newmarket – Career Carnival Hosted by the Central York Leaders

2024-04-01T00:00:00Z

The Career Carnival is a youth-driven initiative by the Central York Leadership Group aimed at fostering youth engagement, providing them the opportunity to engage with industry professionals while learning about potential career paths. Through the interactive booths, youth participants will be able to explore new careers and have the opportunity to network. This initiative will take place on April 20th, 2024, and will be a 4-hour event—from 1-5pm—hosted at the Newmarket Town Offices. Our vision is to invite all students in Grades 7 through 12 to meet industry professionals from various fields, including business, engineering, medical, skilled trades—just to name a few. Carnival-themed passports will be provided to participants, encouraging them to collect stamps from each professional booth. By completing various tasks set by the various industry professionals, participants can fill their passports, and be eligible for a raffle at the end of the event. We will also have speakers and carnival-themed activities to ensure an enjoyable time for the participants. As well, we would like to provide refreshments and beverages, such as cupcakes and water. The Central York Leadership Group (CYLG) meets monthly to organise youth-driven events and initiatives that will leave an ever-lasting impact on our community. Some of our past activities include holiday fundraisers, speaker panel sessions, and the Disco Skate Night that was sponsored by the Awesome Foundation in March 2023. After every successful event, our members and volunteers feel a sense of accomplishment for offering the community another fantastic opportunity to connect and learn, and giving the youth of Central York a free opportunity to engage within their communities. We are planning the Career Carnival with the goal of welcoming hundreds of students to learn about different career experiences, make new connections, and have an afternoon filled with fun!

North Minneapolis, MN – Finanicial Education Peony Hildreth

2024-04-01T00:00:00Z

I own a small business that provides a financial education curriculum that meets community members where they are and build from there. We cover creating and increasing income, maintaining and decreasing expenses, living below or at your means, sacrifice and saving, accountability, and credit and investing. Participants will be challenged to evaluate each of these topics and their capacity. This is an interactive and personalized curriculum that will send participants off with tools and resources they may need to improve and maintain their financial health. They will also be offered an opportunity to follow up to re-evaluate or make any needed adjustments. Light refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Disability – DisCo Devs Jam

2024-03-31T00:00:00Z

The pandemic forced the games industry to adapt, with a boom in remote work, online communities, and funding for marginalized developers. Now, as the industry reverts to pre-pandemic norms, many disabled developers feel they are being left behind, or worse, pushed out of the industry. Supportive spaces are emerging, but there's a lack of initiatives dedicated to elevating disabled game developers. The DisCo Devs Jam aims to bridge this gap. This two-week online event will provide a space for disabled game developers to collaborate, create, and celebrate their unique voices, all while creating games with authentic disability representation. But the DisCo Devs Jam is more than just a game jam. While participants work within the limited timeframe and theme to develop their games (June 28th - July 13th), we'll be offering resources and support for long-term success. Here's what sets us apart: Financial Opportunity: Qualifying games will be included in a game bundle on Itch.io and sold at the end of July. All proceeds will go back to the participating teams. Knowledge Sharing: Our kickoff event will include talks on the topics of accessibility in games and in the workplace. We will also have mentors available for advice and feedback. Resources: We will have templates available for use for production timelines, playtesting, and more. Our community will also be open to disabled gamers who wish to playtest participants' games. **What our grantee is saying:** "It's no mystery to me why so many developers are disabled. From design to animation to marketing, there is a role in the games industry that will play to your strengths and you can make games from home. Still, ableist workplace policies often force disabled developers to forge their own path through games, something that is difficult to do alone. This is why hosting the DisCo Devs Jam is so crucial. We can create some amazing games if we can foster connection and collaboration between disabled developers. The Awesome Disability Grant allows me to take the game jam further, affording me the support and materials needed to generate some awesome resources and income for these developers, as well. It's my hope that the DisCo Devs Jam will set us on a path where disabled developers can make a living creating authentic and accessible games together."

New York City, NY – Awesome Yarnbomb Club

2024-03-31T00:00:00Z

Transforming empty fences and walls with vibrant, uplifting yarn art, the **Brooklyn Yarnbomb Club** brings community spirit to the streets of Flatbush, Brooklyn. It launched in 2022 by textile artist Ellie d'Eustachio with [Awesome Brooklyn](https://www.awesomebrooklyn.com/) (a gift and home goods store owned by Vanessa Raptopoulos that also provides a free community space). _We create yarnbombs, a yarn-based form of street art. Our group often layers smaller pieces to create a large cohesive image that builds on everyone's skills no matter their experience level. Our aim is to foster pride and community while making art and having fun._ _More than just knitting, our bi-weekly craft nights at Awesome are a welcoming space. Here, artists and community members connect, discuss issues, hyper-local politics, and work together to push for positive change. Beginners can learn new skills from experienced members happy to share their knitting and crochet wisdom. Our past yarnbombs, like those at **Parkside Plaza** and the **B/Q tracks near Prospect Park**, have been funded by member donations and the local Buy Nothing group._ _This grant will allow us the freedom to purchase essential supplies: a dedicated set of tools for the group, a wider range of the correct weight of yarn, mounting materials like netting and chicken wire needed for our two upcoming projects. With this Awesome Foundation grant we will be able to continue to offer support to any and all who want to be involved. Sharing the creative process fosters emotional well-being, while seeing our work displayed locally ignites a sense of community pride._ * Follow along on Instagram [@MadeByEllieBklyn](https://www.instagram.com/MadeByEllieBklyn) * See more [photos of past installations](https://www.elliedeustachio.com/#/brooklyn-yarnbomb-club/)

Ottawa – The Get Down (in O-Town)

2024-03-31T00:00:00Z

March’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Frank Amisi to support a HipHop freestyle dance battle “by the people, for the people.” “This is a 1 vs. 1 dance battle,” explains Frank, “to celebrate the culture that is ever-growing in Ottawa. It’s also to highlight some amazing women HipHop dancers who inspire so many around them. It’s an event where all are welcome to participate as dancers or audience, to celebrate music and dance.” “I want to create an opportunity for dancers to celebrate themselves, compete, and share with each other,” continues Frank, “especially since last year was the 40th anniversary of HipHop in Ottawa, and there was little acknowledgement of the dance scene here. I really want to give the dancers a much-deserved spotlight.” The dance battle takes place Saturday, April 6 at [The Flava Factory] (https://www.flavafactory.ca). For more information, or to sign up, follow Frank on Instagram at [@21swish] (https://www.instagram.com/21swish). Frank is a HipHop enthusiast, dancer, and choreographer born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He has been teaching and directing since 2018.

Toronto – Hack the 6ix 2024

2024-03-31T00:00:00Z

Hack the 6ix is a free, student-run hackathon where hackers of all backgrounds and experience levels design, develop, and pitch a project built from scratch within 36 hours. Our goal is to inspire young hackers to tackle complex challenges, get empowered through technology, and dream up the world of tomorrow.

Grande Belo Horizonte (Inactive) – Gincana Idealista na RMBH

2024-03-31T00:00:00Z

Chamando todos os transformadores sociais para uma GINCANA IDEALISTA entre os dias 23 e 26 de Abril de 2024, por ocasião do Encontro Ibero-americano de Voluntariado Estratégico “Saindo do normal” (dia 23/4) e do FIFE – Fórum Interamericano de Filantropia Estratégica (23 a 26 de Abril). Participe e todo mundo sairá ganhando! 🏆 Inscreva-se aqui! Equipes de 4 a 6 pessoas representando as cidades da Grande Belo Horizonte participaram de uma gincana social - via zoom, WhatsApp e presencial - que culminaram em ações que que fomentam a conexão e o impacto social duradouro em seus territórios. Os desafios seguem a trilha do IMAGINAR 💡, CONECTAR 🧩 e AGIR 💪🏾 em cada um dos territórios. Qual objetivo? Mobilizar pessoas para imaginar, conectar e agir em suas comunidades. Por que é uma iniciativa legal? As equipes ajudarão as causas sociais de sua cidade brincando. Por que as pessoas deveriam participar? Além da diversão e do impacto social, teremos alguns prêmios surpresa. Cidade: Belo Horizonte, Betim, Brumadinho, Florestal, João Monlevade, Lagoa Santa, Santa Luzia Como usarei o dinheiro: Promovendo o encontro das equipes que participaram para confraternização, intercâmbio e troca de experiência, de acordo com as colocações na gincana. Intercâmbio Lagoa Santa e João Monlevade - R$ 850 Intercâmbio Betim, Brumadinho e Florestal - R$ 750 Visita ao Projeto ComViver, em Belo Horizonte - R$ 250 Valor aprovado: R$ 1850

Homelessness (Inactive) – The Story Pillow Project

2024-03-29T00:00:00Z

Make It Work is a workforce development program bringing together the neighboring sectors of Skid Row, the Garment District, DTLA businesses, and the broader community to foster cross-sectional participation in tackling the deep economic inequities that drive the homeless crisis. We’re training women coming through recovery how to create simple items from deadstock fabric (fabric otherwise destined for landfill) - pillows, accessory bags, totes - to sell to surrounding businesses and online. Our goal is to build a new workforce, with the help of existing manufacturing entities, to take on larger contracts for businesses and government. We’re not just about providing solutions; we're about building a community of care and collaboration that actively works towards healing our shared humanity.

Homelessness (Inactive) – iMBY Storage Project

2024-03-29T00:00:00Z

The founding principle of iMBY is the recognition and understanding that someone is no less our brother, sister, or neighbor because they are unhoused…and so, we welcome them with open arms into our backyards. iMBY Storage Project is designed to relieve some of the burden of being on the streets by providing a space for the unhoused to store their belongings via a decentralized network of storage options. The project is scheduled to launch in the spring of 2024, with “iMBY-nauts” (imby volunteers) throughout Albuquerque proper, our pilot city, graciously allowing their allied business and organizations, faith-based institutions, service centers, and homes to be used as iMBY storage locations for our unhoused neighbors. The project was inspired by our brother Bill, who approached the founder of iMBY, Ian Mentken, asking if he had any storage space he could use to store his things. Ian had no storage to offer, however he reasoned he could buy a lockable storage unit that could be secured to the house via a chain or cable that Bill could access at his convenience. Bill was excited by the idea, and shortly thereafter the first iMBY pilot project was born. For over a year, Bill came and went, storing his bedding, toiletries, and other possessions by day, and collecting them from the locker at night. Bill eventually found a job, and then permanent housing, and his life on the streets mercifully came to an end. Bill was very grateful for the storage system we arranged and didn't think he would have been able to get off the streets as easily without it.

Gloucester, MA – GHS Crosswalks/ Unity Inclusion

2024-03-28T00:00:00Z

At the beginning of my junior year in high school, I was asked by one of my teachers and mentors to join an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) peer leader training program. At the time I was not fully aware of what the program was but because my teacher asked, I said yes. Early in the training, I found myself asking what it meant to be part of this program, what difference I could make, and who I could help by being part of the peer leadership program. It was not until day two of the program that I realized the biggest impact I could have on my peers would be to make a visual representation of inclusiveness while walking into our school. After a long year of email correspondences to and from the principal and superintendent of my school district, my plan has finally come to the point where I was able to present my proposal to the school committee in December where they agreed to support my project. Because the school district’s motto is “everyone belongs' ', I have created artwork to welcome everyone into the high school through our crosswalks. The idea is that the first crosswalk will be painted to represent the LGBTQ+ community flag and the second will have a flag to represent each nation in symbolizing our unity. The third flag will represent the many clubs and organizations at Gloucester High. I am confident that my work on this project will pave the way for more of my peers to feel confident in who they are and confirm that everyone belongs.

Portland, OR – H.O.P.E. (Honoring Our Precious Elders)

2024-03-27T00:00:00Z

H.O.P.E.'s project is truly awesome for several compelling reasons: 1. Compassionate support: Offering free year-round yard maintenance to seniors with fixed incomes and limited capabilities demonstrates a profound sense of compassion. The project recognizes the challenges faced by this vulnerable demographic and responds with practical assistance that directly improves their daily lives. 2. Holistic Well-being: Beyond the physical aspect of yard maintenance, H.O.P.E. addresses the holistic well-being of seniors. Providing peace of mind is a powerful outcome, alleviating the stress and burden associated with maintaining outdoor spaces. This contributes.to the overall mental and emotional health of the seniors, fostering a positive and supportive environment. 3. Community Connection: H.O.P.E.'s commitment to establishing a sense of connection with the community is key element that makes the project exceptional. By engaging with seniors regular through yard work, the project not only fulfills a practical need but also combats social isolation. 4. Promoting Aging in Place: Our goal of helping elders age in place aligns with the desires of many seniors to remain in their homes for as long as possible. By providing essential support, H.O.P.E. enable seniors to maintain their independence, preserving the familiarity and comfort of their homes. This contributes to a higher quality of life for seniors and aligns with the principles of dignified aging. 5. Volunteering and Community Engagement: The project's reliance on volunteers to carry out yard maintenance reflects a strong spirit of community engagement. In summary, H.O.P.E.'s project is awesome because it goes beyond the conventional understanding of assistance for seniors. We combine practical help with emotional wellbeing, community connection, and the promotion of aging in place, creating a comprehensive and impactful initiative that truly honor and supports our precious elders.

Fleurieu – Yankalilla Community Garden

2024-03-27T00:00:00Z

Over the last two years a group of passionate community members have been working in collaboration with the Fleurieu Environment Centre and District Council of Yankalilla to bring to life the opportunity of establishing a community garden in the Yankalilla Youth Park. In late 2023 we received approval and a small budget of funds for Council to start the community garden. The goals of the garden include it to be a shared space, open to all community members, with the aim of providing the community with a range of health & wellbeing benefits and sustainable living education opportunities. The garden has been a labor of love for the volunteers who have persisted through the process of seeking approval and consulting the community on their vison for the space. The initial budget provided by the council has allowed for the foundations of the garden to be established and we are now seeking further funding to really get the garden to the point of a functional and flourishing resource for the whole community. Funding for many of the basic martials needed for the garden were not included in the budget provided by the Yankalilla Council and we are now seeking funding from other avenues. We have had excellent community support for this project so far with over 45 people attending our first information session about the garden and almost 30 people registering as volunteers already.

Yerevan – Թոնրատուն՝ դպրոցում

2024-03-27T00:00:00Z

Նախատեսվում է ՄՍԿՀ Հարավային դպրոց-պարտեզի բակում կառուցել թոնրատուն: Թոնատրուն-ծեսերի կենտրոնը կօգնի դպրոցում ուսումնական պարապմունքները, ծեսերն ամբողջական ներկայացնել սովորողներին: Սովորողները տեղում կծանոթանան հին հայկական ավանդույթներին, ծեսերին, միասին լավաշ, գաթա կթխեն, խնոցիով կարագ կպատրաստեն: Լավաշթխիկի ծեսը կրթահամալիրի օրացույցում իր պատվավոր տեղն ունի: Երաժշտության ժամին երգում են հացի արարմանը նվիրված երգեր, պարերգեր պարում, մայրենիի ժամին սովորում երկրագործին նվիրված ստեղծագործություններ: Ծիսական կենտրոնն ամբողջական կդարձնի այս տոնը՝ հացի արարման ծեսը: Դպրոցի բակում շատ ակտիվ գործում է Թատրոն-ավտոբուսը, որը իրականության դարձավ ձեր նախագծի աջակցությամբ, բակում նախատեսվում է ունենալ փոքրիկ ագարակ և փոքրիկ հողակտոր առանձնացնել հողագործության համար, դպրոցում այս ամենն իհարկե իրականացվում է սովորողների հետ միասին: Թոնրատան առկայությունը կամբողջացնի դպրոցական բակային մի միջավայր, որտեղ սովորղը անմիջական մանակցությամբ կարող է ծանաթոնալ հայկական ծիսական տոներին, ավանդույթներին, համայնքային մշակույթին: Ստորև ներկայացնում ենք Թատրոն-ավտոբուսի կայքի հղումը: https://be985.wordpress.com/category/%d5%a9%d5%a1%d5%bf%d6%80%d5%b8%d5%b6%d5%ab-%d5%a8%d5%b6%d5%bf%d6%80%d5%b8%d6%82%d5%a9%d5%b5%d5%a1%d5%b4%d5%a2-%d5%a3%d5%b8%d6%80%d5%ae%d5%b8%d6%82%d5%b6%d5%a5%d5%b8%d6%82%d5%a9%d5%b5%d5%b8%d6%82%d5%b6/ Նաև՝ https://macakyankarine.wordpress.com/2021/01/25/%D5%B0%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%BE%D5%A1%D5%B5%D5%AB%D5%B6-%D5%A4%D5%BA%D6%80%D5%B8%D6%81-%D5%A9%D5%B8%D5%B6%D6%80%D5%A1%D5%BF%D5%B8%D6%82%D5%B6/?fbclid=IwAR384BM0i920udsk2e-c-N5BffXq4iFUMyYY0bPQ-_OQ3OrGmjKtTUy4nQY

Georgetown, MA – Georgetown School's Lockdown Reunification Kits

2024-03-27T00:00:00Z

As the School Resource Officer for the Georgetown Schools, School Safety is my number one priority. If a serious event such as an active shooter ever occurred in town, the aftermath of reunifying students with their parents is crucial. These reunification kits are equipped with items such as safety vests, information cards to be filled out by parents (so they can provide demographics of the child they are picking up) caution tape, first aid kids, clip boards, binders that provide different officers with specific roles to play in the reunification process. Plus many other important items The reunification process is the second most important event after a critical incident. Having these kits will allow for a smooth and safe transition from school to parents.

State College, PA – Calm Corners

2024-03-27T00:00:00Z

We think that this is an awesome project because it’s for our school. We want to support everyone in our school with mindfulness activities and supplies. We will use some of the money to fund a Family Engagement Night at our school. We will make glitter jars, a calming tool, on this night and do some mindfulness activities. We will use the rest of the money to buy sensory and calming tools for our school. These include noise cancelling headphones to help us focus when the classroom is noisy. We will also buy wobble pads, stress calming strips, sensory textured pillows, and sensory toys. These will help us to better focus and to work through the times when we have strong emotions. We want as many classrooms as possible to be able to have a Calm Corner. This is a quiet place where these tools will be kept and we can use them when we need them. It would be helpful for our community to have tools to help us with stress, encourage kindness, and build self-control. This is important so that we can handle stress when we need it. Learning how to use these tools allows us to practice when we are calm. This is our awesome project! -From the awesomely calm Room 201

Brumadinho (Inactive) – cafe com suculentas

2024-03-26T00:00:00Z

o projeto visa reunir pessoas da comunidade do tejuco, para se encontrarem na sede da associação, para uma roda de conversa (terapia, socialização, inclusão,), para pessoas de todas as idades, objetivo, aprender a cultivar as suculentas, classificar e vender, faremos uma feira para exposição e venda das suculentas. o projeto terá dois (2) encontros por semana e por quatro semanas

Portland, OR – Hygiene for the homeless

2024-03-26T00:00:00Z

I live in Portland, Oregon, which has a homeless population of over 6000 people.* Our community often provides generous donations for this population, usually consisting of necessary items such as food and clothing. But people often forget the need for essential hygiene items. Being homeless does not mean the need for hygiene is absent. In cold weather especially, dry skin can be very uncomfortable, even painful. To help meet this need, I have been making simple hygiene products from scratch, using all natural ingredients, packaging them in small plastic containers, and donating them to homeless shelters. I source the most inexpensive ingredients available without sacrificing quality. So far, using an initial expenditure of $34, I have produced 32 ounces (2 pints) of skin lotion, body butter, and lotion bars and a dozen lip balms. As a comparison, 2 pints of commercial skin lotion cost an average of $26 at retail price,** and the average retail price of 12 lip balms is $34.20 ($2.85 each).*** Another urgent need is menstrual hygiene supplies. For $78, I can assemble 10 “menstrual kits.” These consist of enough sanitary pads and tampons for the length of an average menstrual period, plus a supply of sanitary wipes. As a treat, a chocolate is included in each kit. I have also made 1 dozen containers of natural fluoride-free toothpaste, which can be rubbed directly on the teeth without the need for a toothbrush (although toothbrushes are included), and 1 dozen containers of natural deodorant. *https://www.portland.gov/wheeler/homelessness **https://www.statista.com/statistics/1058129/price-of-leading-us-body-lotion-brands/ ***https://www.statista.com/statistics/938825/us-prices-of-leading-lip-balm-treatment-brands/

Chicago, IL – The Black & Brown Femme Film Festival

2024-03-26T00:00:00Z

Our Awesome Project is the Black & Brown Femme Film Festival. Did you know that only 10% of film festival submissions are accepted? Leaving 90% of filmmakers without a venue to showcase their films. And the numbers are even less for filmmakers of color. And even **less** for women-identifying filmmakers. Submitting to film festivals is strategic and very expensive. Many filmmakers are either part time workers, gig workers or work in underpaid industries because the flexibility to create art is more important than pay. BBFF, has two goals. We aim to lighten the burden of expensive film festival submissions by offering a submission free festival just for femme filmmakers of color. Let us explain some more. The Black & Brown Femme Films organization wants every filmmaker to experience the excitement of having their films shown in a dark movie theater on a 400ft screen. It's the best feeling in the world for a filmmaker!! The absolute best! The Black & Brown Femme Film Festival embraces the inclusive nature of the term "femme". Our organization welcomes filmmakers of any gender who connect with and embody feminine characteristics. Through an empowering and nurturing community, we elevate underrepresented talents in cinema. We are the only film festival in the country that focus on femme filmmakers of color and we DO NOT charge those filmmakers submission fees to enter. We believe that resources should flow back into the creative process, not into financing film festivals.

Washington, DC – Melanie the Violinist’s Black Musician Academy

2024-03-25T00:00:00Z

In June 2024, during Black Music Month, I will launch Melanie the Violinist’s Black Musician Academy (hereinafter “Academy”) which will educate underserved youth from Wards 7 and 8 on the history, impact, and repertoire of Black classical composers. The remarkable contributions of Black classical composers has historically been suppressed. During this four week Academy, participants will learn about the lives of musicians such as Florence Price, Joseph Bologne, Clarence Cameron White, and Scott Joplin, be introduced to their repertoire, and complete activities to apply the knowledge learned. At the conclusion of the Academy, participants will have the opportunity to perform a piece of their choosing composed by one of the Black musicians covered during the Academy.

Brumadinho (Inactive) – Oficina de tapete terapêutico

2024-03-21T00:00:00Z

O projeto oficina de tapetes terapêuticos visa acolher mulheres com objetivo de ensinar a fazer tapetes, Almofadas e pufs ,colaborando com o meio Ambiente na reciclagem do material que iria para o lixo, poluindo o solo, além de ajudar a tirar as mulheres da depressão e terem uma fonte de renda. O dinheiro será usado na compra do material a ser usado, aviamentos, grampos de madeira e tecidos de almofadas e base para os tapetes. A Nina é artesã, com barraca na feira em Brumadinho e trabalha a 10 anos com retalhos, e reformas de sofás ,confecção de baús e pufs com restos de guarda roupas. Ela gosta de ensinar seu ofício e já tem alunas que estão até querendo comprar máquina de costura para iniciar como fonte de renda e isso me da grande satisfação e alegria por estar dando frutos.

Miami, FL – Weekly Art Classes for Homeless Children

2024-03-21T00:00:00Z

I am seeking funding to teach a season of art classes for children at Chapman Paternships Homeless Shelter with projects that cover self expression, art techniques, emotional health, and sustainable practices. Students would be given the opportunity to make art in a safe space with their peers on a weekly basis for a full season, culminating in a student exhibition and party with the shelter families. Much of these children have no other access to arts programming with this program serving as their first in depth foray into art making. These diverse classes are eager to make art and learn about various techniques with a dedicated instructor. Students at Chapman range in age from 3 to 17 and come from a variety of backgrounds with many students being BIPOC. My class program for the shelter is created with their needs and situation in mind, and fully tailored to their interests. My classes not only provide a space for exploration and expression, but lead to noticeable boosts in confidence, expanded vocabulary, and general optimism. Classes include painting, fiber art, collage, sculpture, print making, dyeing, illustration, and more. I expect attendance of 20+ students per class with an estimated total outreach of 100+ students over the season. I have a wonderful relationship with the shelter and their staff culminated over last year as I taught at the shelter in conjunction with my 2023 ProjectArt residency (which I organized). The shelter has extremely limited funding for arts programming, but they've been requesting my classes since ProjectArt ended last July 2023. It would be a huge honor to go back and teach a program that I design for the shelter. Beyond it having a positive impact on the children it has indelibly impacted my personal professional art practice in innumerable ways. Images from past programming and workshops are linked below https://www.pangeakalivirga.com/ecotopiafamilyphotoalbum https://www.pangeakalivirga.com/workshops

Kingston – Medieval Magic: Reaching Experiential Parity

2024-03-21T00:00:00Z

The Medieval Magic project aims to provide an enriching field trip to Medieval Times for my 28 students and their families at a significantly subsidized rate, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility. This transcendent experience goes beyond a traditional outing, offering students a chance to broaden their horizons and create enduring memories with their families. Many students face financial constraints that limit exposure to such enriching experiences, hindering participation in costly field trips or family outings. This initiative not only breaks down financial barriers but also destigmatizes perceived economic disparities within our community and educational context. It fosters equity, reinforcing the belief that every student, regardless of economic background, deserves access to transformative educational experiences. Beyond this, my students and their families will be given the significant opportunity to create core memories with each other, something that is not always possible due to financial barriers and circumstances of life. The trip aligns with the Ontario Social Studies curriculum, integrating seamlessly with the overall and specific expectations (A1: Application, A2: Inquiry, A3: Context). Beyond academics, it has the potential to reshape students' perceptions of the educational system, instilling the belief that they are entitled to such experiences. This initiative seeks to empower students, fostering a positive shift in their outlook on education and affirming their rightful place in a diverse and inclusive educational landscape. The lasting impact of this trip will resonate through the classroom, families, and the school community. Younger students will recognize the possibility of similar opportunities, contributing to a positive educational culture. Your support for this endeavor will significantly contribute to the realization of these transformative goals, leaving an indelible impact on the lives of the students and their families involved.

Lake Mac – ROTARY LAKE MAC AUTUMN FAIR

2024-03-20T00:00:00Z

On Saturday 4th May 2024, the combined Rotary Clubs of Lake Macquarie supported by Lake Macquarie City Council will present the 4th annual Lake Mac Autumn Fair at Speers Point Park. Thousands of members of the Lake Macquarie community, and beyond, have attended this event over the past three years.

Oahu, HI – Hana Noeau: All Things Ulana Lauahala

2024-03-20T00:00:00Z

Aloha! My name is Naomi Nascimento and I am a Native Hawaiian lauhala weaver on the island of Oahu. Lauhala weaving is a cultural art that we almost lost and thankfully by the grace of dedicated weavers who were willing to teach the art outside of their ohana (family) the Native Hawaiian artform is still here with us. I am working to perpetuate lauahala weaving and in particular teach people who are ultimately interested in papale (hat) weaving. Through my experiences teaching small classes and workshops the interest in learning to weave is in our communities, but there is a barrier to weaving which is gathering and prepping lauhala. Lauahala gathering and prep takes hours on end of hard work, we gather from the tree, clean off debris, remove thorns, softening process, and then roll into a kuka'a (wheel) for storage. I am finding that people do not know how to do these things and which tools are best to use and in turn are not able to weave without the lauhala.

Pittsburgh, PA – String Quartet in a Historic Artistic Church

2024-03-18T00:00:00Z

‘Beneath the Quiet Heaven of your Eyes’ (2024) is an hour long string quartet with low frequency drones to be performed in near darkness at the historic St. Nicholas Croatian Church in Millvale, PA. Each member of the quartet plays along with a guide track video that projects colors of light (derived from the murals of Maxo Vanka) to illuminate the performer’s area and provide a reference pitch for their specific notes. The video serves both as theatrical element and score in lieu of a traditionally notated score. The piece is conceived specifically for a multi-level scaffolding setup, with one performer on each level. The Society to Save Maxo Vanka, whose mission in part is to help bring a new, younger audience to the murals and energize his art in the region and beyond, has already presented concerts in the space. This would be the first work created specifically for the murals (and tied directly to the unique performance opportunities afforded by the restoration scaffolding). The work is dedicated to legendary Pittsburgh composer and educator, Mathew Rosenblum, who has been hugely influential to both the composer and performers, as a small token of thanks in the year of his retirement from the University of Pittsburgh.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Kintsugi

2024-03-18T00:00:00Z

Hello! I am an Art Therapist that recently found my passion of how best to share my love of group facilitation & art making with the world. From Covid, started my business of Hudson Valley Kintsugi. Merging the essence of the ancient art of kintsugi, with a workshop based experience. During the workshop, participants learn about the history of kintsugi, and then experience the act of breaking a bowl, painting it to show ownership and make it their own, and then joining the bowl back together with gold. Often times we do not know how strong we are until we are put up to the challenge. That quite literally we are stronger in the places we are broken. This is what I love to share with the community, the idea of merging art and our life experiences. During the workshop I share ideas for self reflection, offer space for participants to talk about their journeys, and learn something new.

Cass Clay – Relief Shop

2024-03-15T00:00:00Z

Our free essential needs shopping mission has served FMWF since Jan 2021 and serves an average of 200 families each season. We use a Points Per Household System to maintain an equitable system of giving that is flexible for the clients and service providers who work with us. Households are able to shop for clothing, shoes, small household items and hygiene bags and supplies. We now have 2 new sites opening in South Fargo at Roots Hair N Soul and another location in West Fargo at Church of God's Word right near Sandy's Donuts. We are in talks with the City of Moorhead to open a 3rd location later this year that will be our main operating point for the tri-city area.

St. Paul, MN – Let's Go Outside!

2024-03-14T00:00:00Z

Congratulations to the sixth grade students at Creative Arts Secondary School. AwesomeStPaul's March grant is helping fund overnight gear for their field trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Center in Finland, MN. Deborah Karp-Castrenze explained, "We will build community, extend classroom learning into an outdoor environment, and foster environmental stewardship by taking our 60 sixth-grade students on a 3-day, 2-night field trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN. This will take place April 3-5, 2024. The primary focus of this overnight adventure is to embody our school’s Core Values: “We are creative. We support each other. We are good at what we do.” Taking learning and creativity out of the traditional classroom environment both fulfills our goals and supports our students in new ways of meaning-making and healthy risk-taking. On the pristine grounds at Wolf Ridge, bordered by rivers, lakes, streams and expansive views of Lake Superior, students will learn how to be creative with paper making, block printing and earth works - art made in the outdoors using earthly materials. They will practice supporting each other at a high-ropes course, a campfire improv, and while geo-caching in a forest environment. Away from city light pollution, our urban youth will explore the starry nights through an astronomy class and learn about the Ojibwe people during a Heritage class. For some of our students, this will be their first time overnight away from their families. For many of our students, it will be their first time immersed in an unspoiled, natural environment. Our students will be chaperoned by their teaching team of 5 licensed educators that they learn from every day and with whom they have built trust and community, as well as a group of parent volunteers. We want our students to enjoy their time and make life-long memories as they explore, discover, and learn outdoors."

Westminster, MD – Digital Enablement for Hist Westminster Cemetery

2024-03-13T00:00:00Z

Approximately 6000 records of graves will be entered into a digital database along with recent historical information about citizens of the community. Digital layers of Civil War battle and burials from an engagement (Corbitt's Charge), Rev War burials, African American burials and notable local graves will be crafted into tour routes where there are none now. A specific layer of veterans will be created for the nearly 500 graves of vets we have now. Additionally, a website, phone app and genealogical information will be combined for maximum public use online. This will be very useful in honoring the graves of veterans on Memorial Day.

On the Water – Kingston Waterway Adventure Tours

2024-03-13T00:00:00Z

With the goal of helping people connect more deeply with the surrounding waterways, I am restoring an awesome 1960's guide-boat, converting her to electric propulsion and outfitting her with an immersive sound system for the purpose of providing 2 unique experiences along the Hudson River in upstate New York (Kingston): The Hudson River Maritime History Tour & The Sound Bath. The first experience is a guided tour of the Kingston Rondout creek and nearby Hudson River, exploring the maritime history of these famous waterways (once the thoroughfare of between the eastern seaboard, the great lakes and the Mississippi river. This tour will include a dynamic (and fun!) sound design, bringing the passengers back in time onto wooden explorer ships, massive barges and the wooden canoes of those who were here long before it was called "America". With original music, spatial sound design and lively narration by the captain, this hour-long tour will give folks a unique glimpse into a port and her river unlike any other. The second experience of the project will be an immersive "sound bath" meditation along the Hudson River, with the sounds of nature (wind, water, weather, birds, insects & animals) interspersed within an original score of contemplative drones designed to evoke an underwater world (tides, eddies, surges, whales, plankton & air). All of this presented through a dynamic, multichannel surround sound system, with the intention of providing a rich environment to view and contemplate the surrounding beauty of the Hudson River. I believe that we have become de-sensitized to our waterways... what were once the veins of American trade and the lifeblood for the native people who came before us, have become something to be viewed from a distance, or experienced on fast-moving, thrill-seeking vessels. I hope to create a new kind of way to experience the magnificent Hudson River that will help to create a more palpable understanding of the importance of our waterways.

Cleveland, OH – Reading Rehabilitation

2024-03-13T00:00:00Z

I am a teacher at the Juvenile Detention Center. Unfortunately, incarceration leaves my students with a lot of downtime. Fortunately, they become avid readers while here. Many of my students are below grade level in reading and I love to offer them high interest/low readability books. The kids will check books out of my classroom library (which I have built using my personal funds and donations from friends) and take books back to their rooms to read at night. My students will put their names on a waiting list to be next in line to check out a classroom favorite (many Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Bluford novels). Reading is the key to a successful future for my students. Reading and academic success go hand in hand. The Department of Justice states, “The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure.” If I can help my students increase their literacy level while they are with me, they will go back to school more confident and ready to achieve. According to a special report, Early Warning, from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, “…the process of dropping out begins long before high school. It stems from loss of interest in middle school, often triggered by retention in grade…and that, in a great many cases, is the result of not being able to read proficiently as early as fourth grade.” I want to build a larger library, with more choices, and a reading program that will entice my students to read more and become more successful in their educational programs. Students will be offered incentives for books read and book reports completed. They will be able to earn bookmarks, stickers, pencils, and a pizza party to celebrate their achievements. Certificates will be given to them that they can present to their parents and judges. I want to be able to build a reading corner with a shelf overflowing with teen novels. I want students to learn to love reading as much as I do.

Cleveland, OH – Slavic Village Bike Fix-a-thon

2024-03-13T00:00:00Z

Bikes are an important part of our neighborhood dynamics. Many people in our neighborhood cannot afford a vehicle and must use alternative transportation. Also, with screens being such an issue in the lives of children, bike use is a great way to encourage them to leave the screens behind. Our neighborhood Bike-a-thon is designed to help locals with minor repairs of their bikes in an effort to help encourage them to ride their bikes. We hope to bring in a bike coop who, for a flat fee, will repair 60 bikes. We are also looking into buying helmets to pass out as well as supplying items to decorate the kids’ bikes.

Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Sews' Community Sew-A-Thon

2024-03-13T00:00:00Z

Cleveland Sews first piloted the idea for social manufacturing with a Community Sew-A-Thon in 2018. The event partnered with Burten, Bell, Carr's community radio station, WOVU, and brought together community members to make winter hats and scarves for underserved youth in the Kinsman neighborhood of Cleveland. Annually, similar events took place as blanket drives, where fleece blankets were made and distributed to low-income seniors, un-housed individuals, and newly settled refugees. In May of 2024, Cleveland Sews will host their largest Sew-A-Thon event in partnership with St. Vincent Charity Community Health Center. Taking drapery that once hung in the hospital, Cleveland Sews will bring together community members to cut and sew reusable tote bags at scale for St. Vincent's Mission Kitchen and Pantry program. This endeavor is led by a participatory community leadership committee of the new Stitching Committee, which represents a diverse sector of the community. Long term, through the partnership with St. Vincent Charity, Cleveland Sews is able to align mission interest to share and increase joint capacity and create a re-manufacturing hub in the now vacant hospital that serves residents of the central neighborhood and participants of St. Vincent Charity's programs. Central to this project is the effort to disrupt traditional ways of manufacturing and consumeristic thinking by creating a culture around repair, mending, upcycling and redistribution. This sustainable model for a new artistic and creative manufacturing, diverts waste that would otherwise be headed to the landfill and creates more equity and accessibility to resources and education, while addressing sustainability goals of the city and county. The Sew-A-Thon will be the launch of this catalytic project by upcycling material that has such a significant historical connection to the community. The most beautiful part is community will come together to transform it and give it back to the community.

Ipswich, MA – 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY PARADE AND EVENTS

2024-03-12T00:00:00Z

The VFW Post 1093, American Legion Post 80, PLAV and AMVETS have joined together with the Town Manager, Chief of Police, Chief of Fire Department, Select Board, Bank Gloucester, Brookline Bank, Rotary, Masons, Ipswich Fish & Game Club, Ipswich Public Schools and individual citizens with the focus to bring a respectful and honorable recognition to those who participated in the D-Day Invasion some 80 years ago in Normandy, France. There are three concerts scheduled as part of our fundraising program. All funds raised will go to the expense associated with hiring marching bands, paying for local high school bands transportation costs, etc. All funds are audited and controlled by the two banks mentioned above. We are working with Veterans organizations, High Schools, Civic Organizations and others throughout Essex County. Our focus is to have an education opportunity and patriotic event that will be memorable for all Essex County citizens.

Philadelphia, PA – Benches for Neighborhood Garden

2024-03-12T00:00:00Z

Philadelphia Scenic Works (PSW) is a non-profit woodshop located in North Kensington in Philadelphia, an area with vibrant population but an extreme lack of historical investment. So, residents have taken it upon themselves to beautify the neighborhood. One such resident - Gloria "Smooches" Cartagena - has been working for the past few years to beautify the corner lot outside her house. A few years ago, PSW helped by building a fence for the lot and providing decorative wood decals. Smooches enlisted neighborhood kids paint flower boxes, and got a mural painted on the wall. In the summer she brings out planter boxes and gardens. She calls it the "butterfly garden" because of the butterfly decals and the butterflies on the mural. We would like to continue to enhance this outdoor space by building and installing some benches for residents to sit. The space is nice and well used during the warmer months, but it needs places to sit and enjoy it.