tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/en/projects?page=5Awesome Foundation - Projects2025-11-11T15:29:45Ztag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3792722025-11-09T00:00:00Z2025-11-11T15:29:45ZNewburgh, NY – Winter Solstice Lantern Walk!We at Little Friends are committed to celebrating Newburgh's rich cultural heritage while building community connections. This event honors our city's history at Washington's Headquarters while creating new traditions that bring neighbors together. The winter solstice marks the longest, darkest night of the year—a powerful time for communities to gather and create light together. For centuries, people have celebrated the solstice by lighting fires and lanterns, symbolizing hope, resilience, and the promise that brighter days are returning. We dream that this shared experience of making light creates lasting bonds and reminds us that Newburgh's greatest warmth comes from the people who call it home. Famlies, young and old will participate in making paper laterns and puppets to use throughout the lit loop around Washingtons Headquarters, supported by local businesses offerng more warmth with hot cholcoate and tea. MIss RebeccaWinter Solstice Lantern Walk!http://www.littlefriendslearningloft.comUnited StatesNewburgh, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3785682025-11-09T00:00:00Z2025-11-11T15:29:11ZNewburgh, NY – “Newburgh Night Lights” w/ NowHere Our project, “Newburgh Night Lights,” is a weekend of surprise, family-friendly projection art that turns Newburgh’s buildings into temporary canvases. In collaboration between NYC gallery NowHere and artist Motomichi Nakamura, we’ll stage a series of free pop-up projections on Friday and Saturday nights in winter (Jan/Feb), when the early sunset can make the city feel quiet and cold. Instead of staying home, we want neighbors to bundle up, walk around, and see their streets literally light up.
Motomichi is a Japanese-born, Parsons-trained, award-winning projection and immersive artist based in Croton-on-Hudson. His bold, animated works have appeared in museums and public spaces worldwide, from New York’s New Museum and the MTA’s Fulton Center to large-scale festivals abroad. Bringing this work to Newburgh is a way to say: world-class art belongs on our blocks, too. The projections are wordless, graphic, and joyful—easy for kids, teens, and adults to enjoy together, no art-world knowledge required.
We’ll choose a small cluster of walkable sites, most likely 2 key destinations, that show off Newburgh’s historic architecture rather than just “official” art venues. During setup, we’ll host a hands-on workshop for kids and teens interested in digital art and projection, giving them a chance to learn directly from Motomichi, try ideas, and see some of their experiments in the final projections. We’ll spread the word through schools, local businesses, and community groups so people who don’t usually go to openings still feel invited.
Our goal is simple: create a free, open-to-all light event that makes people proud of their city, sparks conversations on the sidewalk, and plants the seed for future collaborative projects between Newburgh artists, residents, and visiting creatives.
Lucy Dayman“Newburgh Night Lights” w/ NowHere http://nowhere-nyc.comUnited StatesNewburgh, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3658342025-11-07T00:00:00Z2025-11-07T21:07:02ZNewmarket – Denison Newcomer ClubWe started the Denison Newcomer Club two years ago to create a safe space for students who are new to Newmarket, Canada and to the school community. This club has become a second family for many students, past and present, who often face barriers while navigating the transition into life at a new school.
The club provides several supports to Newmarket youth and their families. Over the last two years, we have provided mental health supports, job opportunities, literacy and homework support, social connections and more.
Last year, we connected newcomer families with local organizations and other families in our school through our Newcomer Family Engagement Night which was open to the entire Newmarket community. Our ESL students, in partnership with some of our Student Council students, planned and facilitated this event which was a huge success! This evening was a celebration of food, culture and diversity. It also brought our local community together. In addition, it provided opportunities for Newmarket youth to find their voice, hone their leadership skills and share their talents.
This club has always been open to anyone and everyone in the school community. It continues to grow as more and more students find security in the positive space we have created together. Some of the youth we support through this club are often overlooked and underserved members of our community. Our mission has always been to eliminate barriers, support mental health and well-being, and to celebrate diversity. Individuals part of this club include newcomer youth, 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, Alternative Education youth and more.
With this grant money, we are hoping to eliminate any financial barriers that may be associated with this group of students to ensure equitable access to education, food and extracurriculars. In doing so, we hope to create a more cohesive school community where Newmarket youth don’t face obstacles to inclusion.
Tamara Taylor MisquittaDenison Newcomer ClubCanadaNewmarkethttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newmarket-ontariotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3659842025-11-07T00:00:00Z2025-12-03T19:03:08ZNewmarket – International NightDr. John M Denison Secondary School is made up of a diverse cultural landscape of students from all over the World. This can be a barrier in finding connections for students and families to find a sense of belonginging; we would like to find opportunity in this diversity to bring people together.
We will be hosting an International Night where students will represent their culture at an information booth, complete with music, art, food and crafts where local Newmarket community and school members can come learn, ask questions and indulge in culturally specific foods and entertainment.
Our hope is to show that there are more similarities amongst these different cultures and help find comradery. The event will be open to local Newmarket residents with the hope that everyone will see their culture reflected at the school and feel a sense of belonging and welcome.
Denison has a Newcomers Club and many ELL classes, but this event will be organized and run by all students to be reflective of all cultures and backgrounds. Including all students in this event will make this a school wide initiative to bring students and their families together.Rebecca BakerInternational NightCanadaNewmarkethttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newmarket-ontariotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3230352025-11-05T00:00:00Z2026-03-23T08:30:50ZNewcastle – Kid's book for Under the Same Sun PsychologyI have founded Under the Same Sun Psychology to support families where one parent works away for extended periods, a lifestyle I understand well since my husband works a 4:4 FIFO roster, primarily offshore in Karratha, WA.
My first project with Under the Sam Sun Psychology is a children’s book designed to normalize this experience for young children. Many occupations—such as those in the defence force, aviation, trucking, and corporate sectors—require parents to be away from home. This book will reassure them that whilst their parent might be far away, love can span any distance. It reinforces the message that although their parent leaves, "they always come back”, which is a saying my family relies on frequently. By highlighting the shared experiences of other families, I aim to build a sense of belonging and resilience for children living this reality.
I have goals of expanding Under the Same Sun Psychology from more children’s books to support for the whole family unit. This lifestyle is sustainable and manageable if the mental health of all those involved is cared for. Larissa ElliottKid's book for Under the Same Sun PsychologyAustraliaNewcastlehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newcastletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3699442025-11-05T00:00:00Z2025-11-05T10:24:38ZSydney – Sip the Juse 25th AnniversaryFounded in 2000 by a passionate group of young dancers from the suburbs of Fairfield City, Just Us Elements (Juse Crew) has grown into a powerhouse in the breakdancing community. From humble beginnings, we have remained dedicated to our craft—achieving success in competitions, teaching, and performing on both national and international stages.
As we mark our 25th anniversary, we are proud to honour the rich history and legacy of Juse Crew. This milestone is an opportunity to unite past and present members, along with the wider community, to reflect on our incredible journey and achievements, cementing Juse Crew’s place in Australian breakdancing history.
Beyond competing and performing, Juse Crew has been deeply committed to giving back to the community. Over the years, our members have shared their knowledge and passion by teaching breakdancing to local students and young kids across Fairfield City. Through workshops, mentorship programs, and school initiatives, we have helped inspire the next generation of dancers—providing a positive and creative outlet for youth while fostering confidence, discipline, and self-expression.
The aim of this project is to celebrate Juse Crew’s 25th anniversary and honour its impact on the local and global breakdancing community. By hosting a breakdancing competition and bringing together dancers, past and present members, and the local community, we aim to foster unity, inspire youth, and showcase the transformative power of dance. Breakdancing has been shown to provide positive social outcomes, including increased self-esteem, discipline, and community connection. Breakdancing is an inclusive art form that welcomes everyone, regardless of skill level, age, or gender, offering a space where all can express themselves, grow, and connect through the universal language of dance. This event will continue to create these positive impacts, further enhancing the cultural landscape, encourage inclusivity, and community engagement Darong KolSip the Juse 25th Anniversaryhttps://www.facebook.com/events/1416756302972133AustraliaSydneyhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sydneytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3684832025-11-04T00:00:00Z2025-11-06T17:18:52ZSingapore – Football For Hope"Football For Hope" is a football development program for children and youth in Relief Camps at Manipur, India. A project to empower young lives.
Since May 3rd, 2023 Manipur in India has been in conflict. Thousands of children and youth are affected by this conflict. Many lives were lost, several houses and properties were burnt down and destroyed. People were evacuated to safer Relief Camps.
The main objective of this program is to ensure and focus on the mental health and well being of the children and youth residing in the Relief Camps and also to provide a sense of purpose and positive influence through the sport of football.
Our mission is to bring joy, hope and a sense of normalcy to children living in Relief Camps through the power of football.
We provide them with free, structured football training programs, footballs, training equipments and football kits (shoes, stockings, jerseys)
Potential children/players were identified during this project and given a platform to built their career in the sport.
3 of them have been selected under this project and have played the KSFA(Karnataka State Football Association) u17 Youth League and Men's C Division League in Bengaluru for the 2024-25 season.Janajit ThangjamFootball For HopeSingaporeSingaporehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/singaporetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3664762025-11-03T00:00:00Z2026-03-24T15:27:51ZState College, PA – Community Theatre MusicalFor the past three 3 years, Sock & Buskin, an all-volunteer community theatres, has produced a wide variety of productions including comedies, dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. We have staged full-length plays, one-act plays, staged readings, live radio plays, dinner theatre, a short play showcase, and interactive parties. We aim to engage as much of our talent community (actors, directors, technical staff, etc.) as possible and reach as many audiences as possible – so diversity of offerings is important to us.
Since inception, we have heard from our talent community, volunteers, and patrons that they wish to see us perform a musical. We have held off on this venture because musicals are more expensive and more complex, and we want to be sure that we can produce something that meets the highest quality standards we set for ourselves for every production we commit to. We have decided that 2026 is the year that we can fulfill their wishes. Tentatively, we have selected to produce “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way tTo Tthe Form,” a musical comedy by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. We feel this is the ideal first musical for us based on available talent, technical requirements, comedic style, and audience appeal.Stefanie R AustinCommunity Theatre MusicalUnited StatesState College, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/statecollegetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3701662025-11-03T00:00:00Z2025-12-01T17:38:06ZWashington, DC – MARK THE SPOTMARK THE SPOT is a community-led campaign that confronts the growing normalization of state violence by making it visible in the places we live. The project identifies and marks locations across Washington, D.C. where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has detained or kidnapped community members. At each site, volunteers install temporary signs that read “ICE Kidnapped A Community Members Here,” transforming familiar sidewalks and street corners into spaces of remembrance, resistance, and civic awakening. Each sign is both a public record and a call to action — a way to interrupt the illusion that authoritarian tactics only happen “elsewhere.”
The idea for MARK THE SPOT emerged from my own frustration and grief watching ICE kidnap my neighbor in August after racially profiling him on our block, and the continued extrajudicial actions ICE has taken with other community members across the city, often unnoticed by those living just blocks away. I began tracking confirmed ICE activity in D.C., mapping locations, and researching city laws around public signage to ensure the campaign remained lawful yet disruptive. What started as a personal act of witness has grown into a collective effort involving neighbors, and organizers who want to make visible the violence we’re too often told to ignore.
At its core, MARK THE SPOT aims to break through public apathy by localizing connection — showing people that the erosion of rights and democratic norms is not abstract, but happening on our own streets. Jessica LoyaMARK THE SPOThttp://markthespot.org/United StatesWashington, DChttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/dctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3659662025-11-01T00:00:00Z2025-09-19T01:34:03ZKuala Lumpur – share a wordZaman Holdings is a Shariah-compliant conglomerate designed to address systemic
global challenges through principled innovation.
We operate through 14 subsidiaries guided by three constitutional frameworks — the
Modern Caliphate Model, Balanced Economy Blueprint, and Necessities Blueprint.
Together, these form a socio-economic compass for justice, mercy, and
sustainability.
Each subsidiary solves a systemic problem, with real-world projects that trustees
and partners can catalyze into reality.Khairunzaman Bin Kamarulzamanshare a wordhttps://shareaword.com/about-us/MalaysiaKuala Lumpurhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/kualalumpurtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3649642025-10-31T00:00:00Z2025-11-29T14:49:47ZOttawa – BYB Brunch The first of two Awesome Ottawa awards for October goes to Pamela Nga to support empowerment of BIPOC entrepreneurs through BYB Brunch.
“BYB Brunch, or Build Your Brand Brunch,” explains Pamela, “is a community-driven event that empowers BIPOC entrepreneurs and creatives in Ottawa-Gatineau through networking, training, and celebration.”
“The Summer 2025 edition gathered 27 attendees,” she continues, “featured three expert-led workshops on graphic design, content creation, and marketing and sales, and received support from local business sponsors. The event provided participants with skills, visibility, and meaningful connections.”
“Looking ahead, the next edition aims to expand to 30-40 attendees, bring in additional skilled trainers, and continue building a twice-yearly platform that uplifts diverse communities.”
Pamela is a communications professional, content creator, and community strategist, and the founder of BYB Brunch.Pamela NgaBYB Brunch CanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ottawatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3647332025-10-31T00:00:00Z2025-11-29T14:52:14ZOttawa – Building an Accessible Circle Garden The second of two Awesome Ottawa awards for October goes to Channing Rodman and the [Brewer Park Community Garden] (https://www.brewergarden.ca/) to support a new accessible circle garden.
“The volunteers at Brewer Park Community Garden,” explains Channing, “are transforming our old dome garden into an accessible circle garden – a space for gardeners with mobility issues and vision impairments.”
“We believe gardens are for every body,” she continues, “and it’s time to grow our accessible spaces: 64% of Canadians live with a disability or care for someone with a disability.”
The team is rebuilding raised beds with water access, smooth pathways, tool access, signage, and seats – and will come together to tackle this big project over several days this fall, so as to be able to welcome new gardeners in the spring.
Channing is one of 60 gardeners who have a plot in Brewer Park Community Garden – which she notes has grown from 25 to 60 beds since 2012!Channing Rodman Building an Accessible Circle Garden https://www.brewergarden.caCanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ottawatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3670232025-10-31T00:00:00Z2025-11-04T19:47:43ZNew York City, NY – Jackson Heights InsiderJackson Heights is the most diverse neighborhood in the world. Everyone knows us for the food, but there’s way more happening - music on 34th Ave, art pop-ups, fundraisers, block parties. The problem? Unless you’re in the right WhatsApp group, you miss it.
Jackson Heights Insider solves that with a free weekly newsletter and Instagram feed curating the best local events. Think of it as the cheat-sheet to what’s happening in your backyard. Neighbors tell us they’ve discovered new corners of the hood - even after living here 20 years. The local google families group in particular LOOOOVE IT because now they know how to keep their kids entertained on the weekends ;)
The Awesome Foundation grant will help them explore new formats including community meetups (including a "New in Town" meetup for newcomers to the neighborhood), partnerships with local photographers and illustrators, and micro-projects that support emerging creators.
Each initiative helps build a more connected, creative, and inclusive version of Jackson Heights - one story, photo, and conversation at a time.
How to get involved:
* Subscribe to the newsletter at https://jacksonheightsinsider.com/
* Follow [@jacksonheightsinsider](https://www.instagram.com/jacksonheightsinsider/) on Instagram
* They're always looking to connect with local artists, photographers, writers, and other creatives - anyone interested can reach out via hello@jacksonheightsinsider.com
* Residents or organizers who want to share community happenings can also submit events directly at https://jacksonheightsinsider.com/submit-event
Jonathan Baillie StrongJackson Heights Insiderhttps://jacksonheightsinsider.comUnited StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3692842025-10-31T00:00:00Z2025-11-05T19:21:01ZToronto – Zine Dump - A New Toronto Zine FairZine Dump is a new Toronto zine fair, organized by seven Toronto zinesters and librarians. The fair was founded in the wake of the end of Broken Pencil Magazine and its annual fair Canzine. While ZD cannot replace Canzine, it's our hope that it will fill some of the void left by BP and become its own annual event.
The debut event will take place Sunday November 9 from 12-5pm at the Cecil Community Centre; our first fair will welcome 50+ exhibitors and also include a free-to-join zine making zone. Other initiatives include the Community Table, where anyone who we were not able to give an exhibitor table to (due to space limitations), or who does not want a whole table can submit five copies of one $5 zine and that we will sell on everyone's behalf. As well, we are producing a Collective Zine that will feature contributions from exhibitors and will only be available at the fair.
All of these initiatives are geared towards building and strengthening Ontario's independent arts zine scene. In that vein, we recently hosted a zine making session in partnership with U of T's Zine Club, where 20 zinesters came together to make zines and talk shop. We are always looking for ways we can expand our community building and ways we can champion zine culture. We love zines and zine culture!Jonathan Rotsztain, Paterson Hodgson, Christopher Hubbarde, Eden Martin, Alexander Arvelo McQuaig, François Villeneuve, and Jenn Woodall Zine Dump - A New Toronto Zine Fairhttps://zinedump.fyi/CanadaTorontohttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/torontotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3678342025-10-31T00:00:00Z2025-11-09T16:56:18ZLiverpool (Inactive) – Diverse Disco's Every Thursday our Diverse Disco brings adults with learning disabilities together in West Derby, Liverpool, for a safe, welcoming, and joyful afternoon of music, dance, and friendship.
Many of our attendees face barriers to social inclusion and often lack accessible opportunities to enjoy community events. The Diverse Disco provides an environment where everyone — regardless of ability — can express themselves freely, build confidence, and feel part of something vibrant and inclusive.
The discos are carefully designed to meet accessibility and sensory needs, with friendly staff providing support. We use music, dance, and social activities as tools to boost mental wellbeing, reduce isolation, and create a strong sense of community belonging.
Jake Glennon Diverse Disco's http://Djjayparties.co.ukUnited KingdomLiverpool (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/liverpooltag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3678742025-10-31T00:00:00Z2025-11-09T16:56:36ZLiverpool (Inactive) – BocciaOur Boccia (indoor sit down bowls) project is all about inclusivity, fun, reducing social isolation and meeting new people. We will deliver group Boccia sessions within the local community to a range of people from older people, SEN and children. Boccia really helps with low intensity exercise, improves mobility and encourages socialisation, helps with low barriers to accessing the community and is a inclusive sport, we’re main stream and SEND can come and play together in a safe, caring and engaging environment. Alan ScottBocciahttps://enable-you.wixsite.com/enableyou-1United KingdomLiverpool (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/liverpooltag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3821432025-10-31T00:00:00Z2025-11-24T16:28:55ZDisability – SNAP Assistance FundDuring the government shutdown, millions of disabled Southerners who rely on SNAP benefits are at risk of going hungry. For many, those monthly benefits are the only source of food security - and when they stop, there’s no backup plan.
New Disabled South’s SNAP Assistance Fund provides direct cash assistance — $100 to individuals and $250 to families — to help disabled people bridge the gap when government systems fail. These funds go directly to community members so they can buy groceries, pay for deliveries, or cover other urgent needs that keep them fed and safe.
This work is more than emergency aid — it’s a statement of our values. It affirms that care is a collective responsibility, and that disabled lives in the South are worth investing in. When you support this fund, you’re not just helping someone afford food; you’re fueling a broader vision of disability justice rooted in dignity, interdependence, and community survival.
In moments of crisis, disabled Southerners are too often left behind. This fund is one way New Disabled South steps in — turning solidarity into action and ensuring that no one is forced to go without food simply because the systems meant to sustain us have failed.
**What our grantee is saying:** “Receiving a $1,000 grant for our SNAP Assistance Fund means the world to New Disabled South and the disabled Southerners we serve! This support directly translates into care. The award allows us to provide immediate cash assistance to disabled individuals and families who are struggling to afford food during the government shutdown.
With this grant, we can help more people bridge the gap when SNAP benefits are delayed or interrupted, ensuring that no one has to choose between eating and paying for medicine, transportation, or other essentials.
Beyond the dollars, this gift is a powerful act of solidarity. It affirms that disabled people in the South deserve safety, nourishment, and dignity - even when systems fail us. It reflects a shared belief that care is not optional; it’s a cornerstone of liberation.”
**What our trustees are saying:** “Supporting New Disabled South now helps us be timely, efficient, and effective.”Amanda MilesSNAP Assistance Fundhttps://donorbox.org/snap-fund-donateWorldwideDisabilityhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/disabilitytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3641502025-10-30T00:00:00Z2025-10-02T01:51:44ZLower Hunter – Fit for ChangeThe Fit for Change program is a joint initiative run by PCYC and NSW Police Youth Command. Next term, the program will be hosted at PCYC and will be targeted toward empathy-based learning.
The focus of the program is to teach young people the importance of empathy, communication, and non-violent conflict resolution. Students will learn about the effects of bullying, harassment, and assault, while being guided through practical strategies to manage conflict without violence.
The program runs once a week for 9 weeks and will benefit approximately 8 students intensively. These students will be supported in building lifelong skills that promote positive behaviour and respect for others.
PCYC has $1400 allocated for the entire term, which has so far been used to cover guest speakers, meeting room hire, and food for participants.
Through this grant, we aim to provide practical, engaging, and life-changing learning opportunities that build resilience, respect, and empathy in young people, ultimately reducing the cycle of violence and antisocial behaviour in our community.Hayley SchubertFit for ChangeAustraliaLower Hunterhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/lowerhuntertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3669642025-10-30T00:00:00Z2025-10-31T00:59:46ZGloucester, MA – Christmas LightsCentral Grammer Social Group (CGSG) is a group of five CGSG residents Who plan activities for our 87 residents, many of whom consider Central Grammer their family.
Recently we ask our residents what they would be interested in doing to have some fun, and their reply was" We would love to go out and see the beautiful Christmas lights." We have found a group transportation company who can
safely transport both handicap and mobile residents. This of course is an expensive service and your $1,000.00 grant would be a great gift to our residents this Christmas time..
Thank you for your consideration. CGSG. Joyce E. CorbettChristmas Lightshttp://N/AUnited StatesGloucester, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/gloucestertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3644322025-10-29T00:00:00Z2025-10-28T21:33:58ZYerevan – Small artifacts of ArmeniaIn Armenian cities, small but meaningful artifacts of everyday culture are disappearing. They may lack official heritage status, yet they embody memory and identity — illuminated traffic signs, old plaques, shop signs, wayfinding boards, and other details that tell the story of the past.
We are launching a program to restore such objects, preserving memory and returning character to our urban environments. True cultural value, and even civic pride, is often hidden in the smallest details. We already have a list of artifacts scattered throughout Armenia, which we are constantly adding to.
Our pilot project is the restoration of a Soviet modernist illuminated pedestrian crossing sign in central Dilijan. This rare surviving piece from the 1970s–80s is part of the town’s modernist ensemble, still visible in buildings but stripped of many urban details.
The sign will be restored following its original design principles: renewed body, recreated graphics, and warm internal illumination that recreates the authentic “lamp glow.” This effort will create a precedent — proving such objects can and should be preserved — and will become the first step toward a public map of Armenia’s “small monuments.”Aram SimonyanSmall artifacts of Armeniahttps://www.instagram.com/syun.agency/ArmeniaYerevanhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/yerevantag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3646092025-10-29T00:00:00Z2025-10-30T01:04:09ZGeorgetown, MA – Ben - What if?In April my son, Ben, was diagnosed with a coronary artery anomoly that they find in children who experience sudden death in as young as 7, 8, 9 years old. In July, he had corrective open heart surgery. He is almost 2 months post-op and back to playing like a normal 8 year old boy. Since then, we have been dedicated to ensuring AED machines are posted throughout the communtiy, per Massachusetts law. We are new to traveling to the fields in the community, but we are slowly discovering that some fields are not equipped with an AED. Prior to our son's diagnosis, you would never pick him out of a line up of kids and say "that one will experience cardiac arrest". The scary part of this is that it could happen to anyone. The condition is not rare; finding it is. Having an AED available for these kids greatly increases their chances of survival during the chance of one of these events. We would like to have one installed at the upper HS field #7. And probably need more for other locations as we learn about their absence. Thank you for your time and consideration for the betterment of our youth athletes (and their family members cheering on the sidelines).Stephanie FregeolleBen - What if?United StatesGeorgetown, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/georgetowntag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3670732025-10-29T00:00:00Z2025-10-28T21:33:30ZYerevan – GitArvestanotс Camotte– Art in Healing PracticeProject Summary
SciArtLab proposes the installation of modular art-studio boxes in hospitals and healthcare institutions across Armenia. These mobile creative hubs will serve as art therapy centers, offering patients—children, youth, and adults—a safe space to paint, sculpt, and create. Through art-based practices, the initiative seeks to reduce stress, support emotional well-being, and foster resilience during medical treatment.
Background and Rationale
Healthcare in Armenia predominantly focuses on physical treatment, while psychosocial and emotional support remains underdeveloped. Patients facing long-term medical care, particularly children, often experience heightened stress, anxiety, and social isolation.
Art therapy is internationally recognized as an effective therapeutic approach that facilitates self-expression, emotional regulation, and psychological healing. By introducing structured creative spaces within hospitals, SciArtLab will provide patients with meaningful tools to manage emotional challenges, improve mental health, and enhance their overall treatment experience.
Objectives
To establish modular art-studio boxes in hospitals as dedicated art therapy centers.
To provide patients with opportunities for creative self-expression as a form of emotional support.
To reduce stress, anxiety, and social isolation among long-term patients.
To foster a more human-centered and compassionate atmosphere within healthcare institutions.
To build a foundation for integrating art therapy into Armenia’s healthcare system with potential for national expansion.
Expected Impact
Reach: 300–500 patients and their family members will benefit annually from the art-studio boxes.
Psychological Benefits: Measurable reductions in stress and anxiety; increased confidence, resilience, and self-expression.
Institutional Benefits: Hospitals will develop more supportive, patient-centered environments.
Sustainability: Establishment of a replicable model for integratingSedaGitArvestanotс Camotte– Art in Healing Practicehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576684845283ArmeniaYerevanhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/yerevantag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3677312025-10-29T00:00:00Z2025-10-30T14:36:39ZRhode Island – The Providence Urban MycobiomeProvidence’s greenspaces host a surprising diversity of fungi, but most remain undocumented or misidentified. This project organizes short field walks and hands-on bench sessions where residents learn to collect, document, and DNA-barcode local fungi.
Volunteers help collect and label. All outputs (protocols, tracker, map, and sequences) will be released under open licenses and deposited to public repositories (GenBank/BOLD where eligible) so anyone can reuse or build on them. By uploading data to places like iNaturalist and MushroomObserver.org, everything is shared for teachers, clubs, and future projects to reuse.
It's an awesome project for the community as neighbors learn real lab skills and see their specimens turn into sequences.Nathan HueyThe Providence Urban MycobiomeUnited StatesRhode Islandhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/rhodeislandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3702062025-10-29T00:00:00Z2025-10-29T19:27:12ZChicago, IL – Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee RightICIRR is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrants and refugees to full and equal participation in the civic, cultural, social, and political life of our diverse society.
ICIRR was created in 1986 in response to President Reagan signing into law the Immigration Reform and Control Act, ICIRR has been at the forefront of helping immigrants realize and contribute to the dream that is America. That includes advocating for services with the state, county and city to treat immigrants as the people they are, and working to get immigrants access to apply for status or American citizenship.
In recent months, ICIRR has been coordinating the Family Support Network to connect immigrant communities throughout Illinois to a full range of support in collaboration with member organizations. ICIRR has also been running the ICE sighting and ICE detention support hotlines, 1-855-435-7693.
Together we continue to demand ICE out of Chicago, out of Cicero, and out of Illinois.D. StanfordIllinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Righthttps://www.icirr.org/United StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3662452025-10-28T00:00:00Z2025-11-05T17:36:16ZChicago, IL – Día de los Muertos Community Altar/OfrendA“Flores de Recuerdo” is a community-based cultural celebration hosted by SRVD Chicago to honor Día de los Muertos traditions through flowers, art, and community remembrance. This project will invite neighbors, families, and creatives to gather and celebrate life while remembering loved ones who have passed.
The event will feature: Community Ofrenda(Altar), Artist Collaborations, Youth and Family Activities. The exhibition ended with a small celebration and with the help of Chicago Awesome Foundation we were able to provide free coffee (from Leche y Canela Café) and pan dulce (from Ponce’s Bakery) that was purchased from other small businesses! Odalys RamirezDía de los Muertos Community Altar/OfrendAUnited StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3669002025-10-27T00:00:00Z2025-10-29T19:34:22ZChicago, IL – Skate EnglewoodMy mission is to give black and brown youth in my area the same opportunity and access to skateboarding as the Northside of Chicago. With this in mind, I started providing free skateboard lessons in the Englewood neighborhood near Lindblom Park. These skateboard lessons are hosted with the purpose of building upon a growing project called “Skate Englewood” which I started in the Spring 2023-24 school year.
I collect new & used skateboard parts from skateboard shops across Chicagoland. With these materials, I build fully assembled skateboards to donate to youth for their lessons and personal use. My goal is to turn this project into. a non-profit organization that becomes a major role in revitalizing the reputation of the Englewood neighborhood and the people who reside on Chicago's south side.
The grant will go toward the costs of skateboarding safety equipment, refreshments for skate lesson participants, materials to plan and build DIY skateboard obstacles, arts supplies, more skateboard parts and decks, and a skateboard fund that will help skateboarders in low-income neighborhoods have access to skateboarding.Nakiyah LongstreetSkate Englewoodhttps://www.gofundme.com/f/skate-englewood-by-nakiyahUnited StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3660202025-10-25T00:00:00Z2025-10-27T18:05:25ZSanta Cruz, CA – "Guiding with Compassion"Guiding with Compassion is a quarterly, hands-on workshop series that teaches Santa Cruz community members how to assist people who are blind or visually impaired using Human Guide Techniques. Led by Beverly, a blind Vista Center volunteer and longtime Santa Cruz County resident, the workshops foster empathy, understanding, and practical skills for engaging respectfully with individuals with vision loss.
Held in person at Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, these sessions bring sighted and blind individuals together to build trust and confidence through real-time, physical practice. Participants learn to offer help with dignity, breaking down discomfort and fear that often prevent meaningful connection.
This project addresses a gap: while most of our funding must go directly to client services, this program reaches into the wider community—engaging teachers, healthcare staff, students, public servants, and neighbors who may not otherwise receive this kind of training.
By empowering the public to act with awareness and compassion, we hope to create a ripple effect that leads to greater inclusion in schools, hospitals, businesses, and public spaces. Our long-term goal is to build a local network of “compassionate guides” who help make Santa Cruz more accessible for all.Sophia Harrison-Boylan"Guiding with Compassion"https://vistacenter.org/United StatesSanta Cruz, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/santacruztag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3507942025-10-23T00:00:00Z2026-03-25T12:40:48ZMiami, FL – Food Trailer RestorationAt Urban Fisherman Community Outreach Inc., our mission is to serve hope through food by providing nutritious meals, hosting community food giveaways, and fostering unity among underserved communities throughout Miami-Dade County. We recently purchased a used trailer as an investment that needs some TLC.
Our food trailer is the heart of this mission—it allows us to reach neighborhoods directly, bring food to those in need, and serve as a mobile kitchen during events, outreach projects, and emergency relief efforts.
Unfortunately, due to wear and tear, our food trailer is in urgent need of repairs. With a grant of $1,000 from the Awesome Foundation Miami, we will be able to:
Restore vital equipment such as the fryer, grill, and plumbing fixtures;
Ensure the trailer meets health and safety codes for food preparation;
Refurbish the exterior to reflect the pride and professionalism of our outreach;
Resume our mobile food distributions and community meal events across Miami-Dade.
Your support will directly impact our ability to serve meals to families in food deserts, support educational initiatives around healthy eating, and offer dignified assistance to our neighbors in need. With this restoration, we can continue casting hope—one meal at a time—throughout the county.
Thank you for considering our request and for investing in grassroots efforts that uplift the Miami-Dade community.Tiffany BellFood Trailer RestorationUnited StatesMiami, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/miamitag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3679362025-10-20T00:00:00Z2025-10-29T19:12:37ZPittsburgh, PA – GaysGivingGaysGiving is an affirming, heartwarming gathering for LGBTQIA+ people and allies to celebrate chosen family, community, and connection during the holiday season. For many in our community, the holidays can be isolating—whether due to distance from loved ones, complicated family dynamics, or a lack of inclusive spaces. GaysGiving offers a joyful alternative: a place to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
This year’s event will be held on Sunday, November 23rd at 4 pm at COhatch South Side Works.
The evening will feature:
-A delicious shared meal, with options to bring a dish or enjoy chef-prepared catered selections
-A non-alcoholic/alcoholic beverage bar with cozy seasonal drinks
-Conversation starters and intentional activities to spark connection
-Games and music to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere
All identities, orientations, and generations are welcome: come solo or bring a friend. GaysGiving is about gathering in gratitude, warmth, and queer joy.
By addressing the epidemic of loneliness, especially acute in the LGBTQ+ community, GaysGiving creates space for meaningful connection and lasting impact in Pittsburgh.Katy FlemingGaysGivinghttps://pghequalitycenter.org/United StatesPittsburgh, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/pittsburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3655432025-10-16T00:00:00Z2025-10-26T22:51:10ZHamilton-Wenham, MA – Free Little Art GalleryMy love for art goes beyond traditional galleries—I'm drawn to its unexpected appearances in pop-up shops, U-Haul trucks, and even subways. What better way to capture that spontaneous spirit than with a tiny art gallery focused on our local community? My concept is a two-part space: a main gallery that will host curated, themed shows featuring artists from Hamilton and Wenham, and a second, dynamic "take a piece, leave a piece" section. I believe the gallery will inspire others to create art as well as take a look at the creativity of the community they live in. Matthew DealFree Little Art Galleryhttp://....?United StatesHamilton-Wenham, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/hamilton-wenhamtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3671272025-10-16T00:00:00Z2025-10-17T12:35:36ZBaltimore, MD – 801 McCulloh Street (A Baltimore Treasure)To create a documentary film that explores the transformative power and history of a Baltimore youth theater arts program, following young participants as they develop skills, overcome challenges, and find their voices through the creative process, ultimately highlighting the program's positive impact on their lives. "801 McCulloh Street” is a documentary film project that chronicles my 15-year journey as a drama instructor and stage director with the Arena Players Youtheatre from 1992 to 2007. This film will explore the Arena Players history and how the youth arts program in Baltimore transformed, developed, and even saved the lives of countless young individuals. By sharing personal stories and testimonies, the documentary will highlight the profound impact of the arts on youth development and community building.
Many of the past participants have expressed that because of the impact of the program, they were able to use the various skill sets learned while in Youtheatre in other career areas. The documentary will focus on a where are they now format. From professional actors on Broadway, film and television preachers, educators, doctors, community activists, lawyers and even CNN newscasters.
Another focus of the film will be a tribute to fellow Youtheatre Instructor--the late actor Robert Chew, from the HBO series “The Wire”--whose dedication and passion to his students were instrumental in shaping these narratives. His Former students will serve as his voice, sharing memories that reflect his influence.
Additionally, I will share my own experiences and reflections, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of teaching and learning. "801 McCulloh Street” aims to inspire future generations and preserve the legacy of the Arena Players Youtheatre.Troy Burton801 McCulloh Street (A Baltimore Treasure)United StatesBaltimore, MDhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/baltimoretag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3675572025-10-16T00:00:00Z2025-10-20T13:28:38ZKingston – Community QuiltsWe want to keep community members in Kingston happy, warm and safe through our sewing!
We want to keep our veterans warm.
We want to keep our unhoused citizens warm.
We want to keep our dementia patients stimulated with activity quilts.
We want to make more quilts for vulnerable newborns.
We want to keep elderly citizens involved in a productive project.
We want to reduce loneliness by gathering together to sew.
We want to show we care.
We have teams of members who meet weekly to sew (and then continue working at home). These quilters not only sew quilts, placemats and fidget quilts but they also put together kits for quilts to be made by other members who cannot make the weekly meetings.
*Being the successful group will instantly help us restore some dignity to vulnerable and marginalized citizens in Kingston as well as protect them physically from the elements of a cold winter.
*Being the winning pitch will help us put activity/touch quilts into the hands of memory care patients to reduce anxiety and provide sensory and tactile stimulation.
*Being chosen as recipients of a grant from the Awesome Foundation will put smiles on the faces of so many people here in Kingston, from patients to front line workers to babies and their parents to quilters. And smiles on faces is a great goal!
We will of course acknowledge the Awesome Foundation as a sponsor of our work on our group website and thank you publicly when we donate our quilts.Beth PyeCommunity Quiltshttp://Limestonequiltersguild.comCanadaKingstonhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/kingston-ontag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3666222025-10-15T00:00:00Z2025-11-18T23:54:50ZOahu, HI – Kupuna Women's Art CooperativeThe purpose of this project is to pair the products of the deep pool of talented, established women artists on Oahu looking for spaces to share, show and sell their work with the vast amount of empty and underutilized commercial space in downtown Honolulu. The cooperative will consist of a peer reviewed group of 10 -15 invited women artists who work in a broad cross-section of media.
Artists will work collaboratively to curate, install and promote sales of their artwork. Each month will feature a different grouping of works and each artist will be able to show multiple pieces simultaneously from a street level storefront. In addition to creating economic activity for the individual women, enlivening the streetscape will hopefully encourage more foot traffic and generate commercial stimulation in the surrounding community.
Selection consideration will be given to women artists who have teaching experience which will add mentoring to younger artists as well as hands-on activities and workshops to draw more locals and visitors downtown, as well as serve residents who live and work in the area. It will have 15-30 walk-in visits to the gallery space on any given day. Workshops can serve 5 -15 participants at a time depending on the size of the space. Monthly, special events and openings will draw considerably more attendance.
Success will be gauged in both tangible and intangible measures. Sales, surveys, attendance records, enrollment in workshops and people served will provide hard facts. Smiles, happy customers an improved visual landscape, new and more foot traffic, neighboring business activity and a stronger sense of community will be visible though perhaps harder to quantify.
The Return on Investments provides women the opportunity to be part of a social enterprise that promotes their artwork, 1) attracts new businesses; 2) add vibrancy to a blighted neighborhood; and 3) stimulate and diversify the creative economic development and tourism strategies.
Downtown Art CenterKupuna Women's Art CooperativeUnited StatesOahu, HIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/oahutag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3390312025-10-15T00:00:00Z2025-10-13T02:30:32ZCass Clay – PrismPrism is a youth group through Inspire Innovation Lab focused on providing area queer youth and allies with a safe space to grow and discover while also introducing them to queer mentors who can help them navigate growing up in the LGBTQ+ community.Rachel GeinertPrismUnited StatesCass Clayhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/cassclaytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3638562025-10-15T00:00:00Z2025-10-15T22:13:33ZNewmarket – Special Education Resource DevelopmentHello all you wonderful committee members! I am an elementary school teacher here in Newmarket! As part of my role providing prep coverage in Multiple Exceptionalities (ME) and Developmental Delay (DD) classrooms at Alexander Muir PS, I have observed that there are very limited resources available to support both educators and students. Teachers often rely on creating materials from scratch, which can be time-consuming as well as costly, and students do not always have access to the tools and manipulatives they need to thrive. This gap makes it difficult to deliver consistent, engaging, and developmentally appropriate programming.
This project will fund resource availability at Alexander Muir PS by helping me to create a sustainable, organized resource hub that benefits both students and educators in the special education community. With grant support, we can build a foundation that will have a lasting impact on inclusive education within our school. Students in ME and DD classes will benefit directly from engaging, hands-on, and supportive tools that enhance their learning, communication, fine motor, sensory and regulation!
Here I propose the steps I will take to launch this awesome project:
Phase 1 (Planning): Consult with staff to identify priority resources.
Phase 2 (Acquisition): Use grant funding to purchase materials (sensory tools, adapted books, visuals, communication devices, etc.).
Phase 3 (Organization): Set up a resource hub (shelving, bins, labels) in a designated space.
Phase 4 (Launch): Introduce the hub to staff, explain borrowing system, and gather feedback for improvement.
I know that once my school community hears about this awesome project they are going to be overjoyed and jumping right in to help me curate the resource hub of our dreams!
As you can see by the example images I will attach, educational resources are not cheap and they often come from the pocket of educators!
Mallory MontpetitSpecial Education Resource DevelopmentCanadaNewmarkethttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newmarket-ontariotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3632962025-10-14T00:00:00Z2025-10-15T04:53:05ZSan Francisco, CA – Parole Logic, Postcard SizeParole boards speak in riddles. Denials are handed out with logic that would make Lewis Carroll proud. One man was denied parole because he followed an officer’s orders: a CO told him to walk out of bounds, then he was written up for doing exactly that — and denied parole for it. That’s not satire. That’s real life.
We want to capture this absurdity, shrink it down, and send it through the mail. Parole Logic, Postcard Size takes real quotes and stories from California parole hearings — the kind of “logic” that keeps people incarcerated for decades — and pairs them with bold, satirical illustrations. The result? Postcards that are equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking.
But we’re not stopping at art. We’re turning postcards into a mini-campaign: mailed directly to legislators, policymakers, and community leaders who too often never see the human impact of parole decisions. Imagine a state senator opening their mail to find a colorful postcard that reads, “Parole denied: You followed an officer’s orders and walked out of bounds — with the officer. Still your fault.” The humor catches them off guard, the absurdity hits home, and the message sticks. Families and allies can join in too — displaying them, collecting them, or mailing them on.
This project is playful, public, and political. It jostles patterns. It makes people laugh, then think. And it transforms the parole board’s broken “logic” into art and activism that can’t be ignored.Alesha K MonteiroParole Logic, Postcard SizeUnited StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3664932025-10-14T00:00:00Z2025-10-17T17:14:20ZIpswich, MA – Winter Wellness BoxesHi! We are the students of Small FRIES at Doyon School. Small FRIES is a new, kid-led group where we share our ideas to make school more fun, creative, and caring — and then work together to bring those ideas to life. We plan events, run fundraisers, and come up with projects that make a difference for our classmates, teachers, and community.
One of our first big ideas is called Winter Wellness Boxes. Each classroom would get a box filled with supplies to help teachers and students during cold and flu season, like tissues, hand sanitizer, wipes, tea, chapstick, and other wellness goodies.
Right now, our teachers have to buy these things themselves, and that can get really expensive — especially when they have to keep buying them all season long. We think teachers should be focused on teaching, not worrying about how many tissues are left in the box.
By creating Winter Wellness Boxes, we can show our teachers that we care about them and that we notice all the little things they do for us every day. This project would also keep classrooms healthier, which means more learning and less sick time for everyone.
With your support from Awesome Ipswich, the Small FRIES can make Winter Wellness Boxes happen this year. It’s a project that’s practical, thoughtful, and totally powered by kids.
Thank you for helping us show that even small ideas — and small fries — can make a big difference!Amy ConstantWinter Wellness BoxesUnited StatesIpswich, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ipswichtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3649942025-10-13T00:00:00Z2026-03-24T15:29:29ZState College, PA – SnackScoutThe project I've been working on is called SnackScout, and it's all about helping the Penn State community find free food events. 14-15% of Penn State students have reported not being able to afford enough food to meet daily nutrition standards, and I want to use what I know to help out.
Since arriving at Penn State I've been tracking which clubs, church groups, and other organizations routinely host free food events, and I've put them onto a centralized calendar. Last spring I attempted to monetize this service as a way to pay for website costs, but found usage dropped dramatically. This fall, I'm hoping to re-open the website for everyone to use - entirely for free.
At first glance, the website is simple - just a site hosting three google calendars. However, behind the scenes I'm working to add automated scraping capabilities, user-generated events, and create a weekly highlights newsletter. I believe that these capabilities could cause this website to scale and reach far more people, which would serve to better alleviate hunger in State College. Yes, there are food banks, but not everyone knows about them or are willing to go to them. I believe that this is where a community-managed, centralized calendar of events can help out.Lance StreuberSnackScouthttp://thesnackscout.comUnited StatesState College, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/statecollegetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3647732025-10-13T00:00:00Z2025-11-10T19:33:29ZOrlando, FL – LitlandoThe Literary Arts Council of Central Florida (LACCF) is a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating a thriving literary ecosystem that strengthens, connects, heals, and inspires. As part of our demonstration projects we are looking to host the 34th Annual Southern Fried Open Slam Poetry festival in June 2026, the first time Orlando has hosted this national event; we are currently running a #ReviveZora campaign to renew interest in local writing legend Zora Neal Hurston; and lastly, we have developed an interactive literary map of Orlando, community calendar, and are creating a community catalog to help create more awareness and connectivity between the different literary siloes within the city of Orlando and surrounding Metro area. According to local lore, Judge Spear named Orlando after a character in Shakespeare’s As You Like It—making us perhaps the only city named after a character in a play. We aim to harness that spirit to reimagine Orlando as “the city as you like it,” where writers and readers can live the stories they dream.Alex GurtisLitlandohttps://www.alexgurtis.com/litlandoUnited StatesOrlando, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/orlandotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3670432025-10-12T00:00:00Z2025-10-13T10:50:56ZNewburgh, NY – Red Ribbon Week Kick-Off Event Red Ribbon week is the largest and longest national substance use awareness campaign held for one week in October. It serves as a catalyst to mobilize communities to educate youth and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. TEAM Newburgh Community Coalition would like to bring to our city by providing a hands-on interactive experience giving 30 Newburgh students the tools and resources they need to make positive and healthy choices regarding substance use. The event will have various stations that highlight the key protective factors that provide youth with resilience, mental health and well-being and reducing the likelihood for negative outcomes. Some of these stations will include: Drug Trivia, Youth Focus Group, Impairment simulation goggles, nutrition, and a 3D Printer activity. TEAM Newburgh will collaborate with various partners to facilitate the stations and offer guidance and support throughout the day to get our youth excited to bring what they learned back to to their schools. The Newburgh Enlarged City School District will be the county-wide host of the Red Ribbon Week Ceremony in 2026. This event will allow 30 youth the opportunity to mentor and guide their peers from various school districts in Orange County with the knowledge they gain from this event. Francesca Bryson Red Ribbon Week Kick-Off Event United StatesNewburgh, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3656152025-10-08T00:00:00Z2025-10-09T22:41:03ZAnn Arbor, MI – The Delian ClubThe Delian Club has a focused mission: to provide in-person social events to autistic adults with intellectual and artistic interests. Please see our Meetup page: https://www.meetup.com/the-delian-club/
Autistic adults suffer disproportionately from severe social isolation and acute loneliness. See, e.g., Loneliness in autistic adults: A systematic review - Grace et al, 2022. Loneliness isn’t just sad. It is hurting us. We suffer from higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality, suicide, obesity, and substance addiction. See, e.g., A systematic review and meta-analysis of suicidality in autistic and possibly autistic people without co-occurring intellectual disability - PMC; Autism and depression are connected: A report of two complimentary network studies - PMC.
The research is distressing but the Delian Club is making things better! We know that socializing with other autistic adults alleviates our loneliness and improves our quality of life in so many ways. See, ‘I never realised everybody felt as happy as I do when I am around autistic people’: A thematic analysis of autistic adults’ relationships with autistic and neurotypical friends and family - Crompton, et al., 2020. This research is encouraging, and it represents what we at the Delian Club are experiencing in real time, and the reason we are seeking funding to continue our work.
In 2025, the Delian Club has hosted 34 nature walks, 20 discussion nights, several lunches, and a highly praised all-day retreat. Participants have given wonderful feedback. One 66-year-old woman commented that socializing with other autistic adults made her "want to live." Another 35-year-old member described a Delian Club event as "relief from the unbearable angst of not belonging." Participants at our recent day retreat described the experience as "transformative," with many stating that they had never before experienced such a sense of belonging and acceptance.
Karen MossThe Delian Clubhttps://delianclub.com/United StatesAnn Arbor, MIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/ann-arbortag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3666392025-10-07T00:00:00Z2025-10-07T14:28:20ZConservation and Climate – Saving Coral Reefs Against Blast FishingWe will work with indigenous community and the marine police to stop blast fishing which threatens 1,720 hectares of coral reefs in the Tiworo Islands, Indonesia. This also endangers over 8,000 local indigenous fishermen, as these coral reefs are their key fishing grounds, sources of food and medicine, and irreplaceable places for their traditional ceremonies.
Strictly prohibited in Indonesia, blast fishing deadly destroys coral reefs. A blast using 0.5–2 kg explosive can destroy 5–20 m radius of reef (≈80–1,200 m²), with near-100% coral mortality. Without intervention, severely blasted sites may remain degraded for decades.
In fact, the marine police already eradicated blast fishing in 2000 through sea patrols. But since 2024, due to economic problems, the national government radically cut the state budget and all state agencies had to eliminate certain items in their regular budget. The marine police alone had to reduce their sea patrol schedule from three times daily to only twice a week. This triggered a resurgence of blast fishing in coral reef areas across the country.
Since then, we and the community have tried our best to help ward off blast fishers, including by conducting voluntary sea patrols. But we found this to be ineffective and dangerous because blast fishers operate during the dark of the moon, making them difficult to detect, and they threaten to bomb us when we approach.
After intensive discussions with the marine police, we plan to assist their operation to intercept blast fishers with the help of a Digital Night Vision Monocular (see the interception plan in image #2). This solution is also very safe because the community and blast fishers don't need to physically confront each other.
This project will serve as a model for other coral reefs across Indonesia that face similar problems.
Indonesia has 2.5 million ha of coral reefs – which is 14% of global coral reefs – consisting of 569 coral species, four of which are endemic.Umi Nadiroh KudoriSaving Coral Reefs Against Blast Fishinghttps://camar.lsm.or.idWorldwideConservation and Climatehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/conservationandclimatetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3668892025-10-06T00:00:00Z2025-10-07T01:54:42ZOn the Water – Resonant MatterThis project creates spaces for shared reflection and embodied exploration in places where water holds complex cultural and environmental meaning across the Balkans. It brings together diverse groups (artists, students, neighbors) to explore how water shapes belonging, memory, and ecological perception. By learning a tactile, non-extractive printmaking process together, participants co-create something experimental, ephemeral, and deeply rooted in place. This project approaches water as a living archive of socio-ecological entanglement.
Between November 7 and December 19, 2025, the project will move through six sites: Corfu, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Hungary. In each location, it will be based for one week and culminate in a half-day workshop (around 4 hours) co-organized with local partners, including the Arillas,Corfu-based Water Artistic Research Group, the Goethe-Institut in Albania, SKUP Collective and Grafika in Novi Sad, and ACT in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Each workshop invites participants to join a local water walk to observe and reflect on the presence and absence of water. We will collect discarded drinking cans from the environment and learn how to transform them into lithographic printing plates to submerge them in nearby water to capture the oil-based residues floating on water’s surface. These residues reflect water’s contact with the world: the subtle traces of life, movement and pollution it carries. Participants will pull prints from these surfaces through a collective process that renders the water’s latent archive visible for study and reflection. The prints will contribute to temporary installation in a public urban or natural space, evoking questions about environmental memory and place. The installations draw on a method developed in an earlier project about the East Sea’s water bodies, now transformed to ask whether natural water bodies can be carried into the heart of places that are shaped by silence and collapse.Carolin MuellerResonant Matterhttps://www.caroprints.com/resonant-matterWorldwideOn the Waterhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/onthewatertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3669862025-10-03T00:00:00Z2026-02-05T05:47:07ZAdelaide – Handmade chocolate pop-ups for the communityChocolate makes people smile. My idea is to host small pop-up chocolate tastings at community events, schools, and local markets where people can enjoy unique flavours and connect with each other.
Sharing chocolate in a community setting creates joy, starts conversations, and brings people together. These pop-ups are more than just tastings — they are experiences that connect families, children, and neighbours in a simple, joyful way.
Each piece of handcrafted chocolate is made with care and passion, filled with a silky, beautiful ganache that melts delicately on the tongue. The outer shell has a gentle snap, giving way to a smooth, luxurious center that’s perfectly balanced in flavor. It’s not just chocolate—it’s a little moment of joy, a pause in the day that brings comfort and indulgence.
Every bite is a reminder that happiness can be found in the smallest of treats.
Shaymaa NassrullahHandmade chocolate pop-ups for the communityAustraliaAdelaidehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/adelaidetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3637032025-10-01T00:00:00Z2025-10-02T13:46:51ZGlasgow – Children's Opera in Glasgow CityI am composing and producing a Children’s Opera to be performed in three locations in my local community of Castlemilk. I will be working with a librettist and three facilitating artists to deliver educational outreach in school and community venues. With the grant from The Awesome Foundation, I will purchase a series of percussion instruments that the youth audience will be able to use to interact with the facilitating artists in the Children's Opera. Using Orff and similar percussion instruments will add a new layer of creativity and interactivity with the performers, allowing the children to be part of the musical performance itself! These instruments range from drums, shakers, guiros, and bells. I am hoping that the feedback and experience will help allow me to establish a Children's Opera production company and continue to give interactive music opportunities to youth across Glasgow.Tyler ZwinkChildren's Opera in Glasgow CityUnited KingdomGlasgowhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/glasgowtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3648002025-10-01T00:00:00Z2025-10-02T21:44:22ZLos Angeles, CA – Boyle Heights Garden Network (BHGN)Our project will support the development of a network of 5 edible gardens and orchards in 5 different locations throughout the food insecure immigrant neighborhood of Boyle Heights, that will beautify and green the neighborhood, create public space, alleviate air pollution, remediate toxic soil and provide low income residents with locally grown fresh produce. The gardens will include fruit trees, benches, compost stations, raised beds for flowers and vegetables, and will be build next to the buildings where the members of Union de Vecinos live. Care and maintenance will be conducted by trained teams of volunteers neighboring the farm. Based out of this multi-sited farm, intergenerational educational workshops will be done on agroecology and urban farming. Produce will be accessible and redistributed through the regular food distributions currently taking place as well as in hot meal preparation for housed and unhoused neighbors.
Boyle Heights is an under-served migrant neighborhood just east of downtown LA, where one in four households lives below the federal poverty line and 40% of residents have no supermarket within a 15 minute walk impacting access to healthy foods. Furthermore extreme rent increases due to gentrification, a housing shortage exacerbated by the wildfires, and economic hardship brought on by federal raids have left many families severely food insecure.
Boyle Heights however, also has a rich tradition of self-reliance and mutual aid. Union de Vecinos has over 30 years of history of tenants representing tenants in the struggle for housing and dignified living conditions, fighting evictions, and improving the neighborhood. Currently we are providing 350 households every 2 weeks with recovered fresh produce.
Now we want to build on this tradition. BHGN is a pilot for an extensive network of edible gardens that will increase their yields by working together. Thus feeding our neighborhood by growing the food where it will be consumed.
Sjoerd OostrikBoyle Heights Garden Network (BHGN)http://www.uniondevecinos.orgUnited StatesLos Angeles, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/los-angelestag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3663202025-10-01T00:00:00Z2025-10-03T21:42:48ZNewcastle – Ghost fungus tours of GlenrockGhost fungus glows in the dark. It can be found in Newcastle bushland for a few days each April/May after rain and when the weather has cooled. I want to help people – especially kids – to see this natural wonder known as “bioluminescence.”
In April 2025, I took family and friends to see ghost fungus at night along the trails of Glenrock State Recreation Area. They loved it. This made me realise that more people would like to see it, photograph it, and learn more. People benefit from a strong connection to nature and from learning of the wonders at their doorstep.
I propose to run Ghost Fungus tours in Glenrock in April 2026. I have support from NSW National Parks to use the space but must pay for an Eco Pass and purchase personal liability insurance.
The dates of the tours cannot be fixed in advance because the flowering of ghost fungus depends on the weather. Participants will need to register and will be contacted 24 hours in advance about a tour going ahead.
The tours will be for a maximum of 16 people to improve the experience and to maintain trails. I aim to charge $20 per adult, $15 concession and $5 per child. This will barely cover my time to scout the trails for ghost fungus in the day before a tour, and then contact participants to let them know that it is happening. However, children have a low price to encourage families to come.
My expertise as a Science Communicator will help for the tours. However, this is a big leap for me to leave my 9-to-5 job and set up as a sole-trader. My aim is to do more work that benefits and enriches our Newcastle community.
Karen LiveseyGhost fungus tours of Glenrockhttps://www.karenlivesey.com/ghost-fungusAustraliaNewcastlehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/newcastletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3667692025-10-01T00:00:00Z2025-10-01T23:59:10ZSydney – Emu Plains Guides Bush Tucker and Community GardenEmu Plains Girl Guides are developing a Bush Tucker and Community Garden that will provide fresh produce, share cultural knowledge, and create a welcoming space for local families. The garden will celebrate and include First Nations plants and knowledge, allowing our members to learn about native foods, sustainable growing practices, and the deep cultural significance of caring for Country. Alongside this, the community garden will supply fresh fruit, vegetables, and herbs to our Community Pantry, helping to reduce food insecurity and promote healthy living in Emu Plains and the wider Penrith area.
The project is part of our commitment to giving girls opportunities to lead, learn, and contribute meaningfully to their community. Many of our members are First Nations girls and girls from low socio-economic backgrounds, and this garden provides an inclusive, hands-on way for them to gain skills in sustainability, gardening, teamwork, and project management. By being directly involved in planting, maintaining, and harvesting, the girls develop confidence, responsibility, and a stronger connection to nature.
Working with local partners, including community volunteers and cultural advisors, ensures that the garden is both practical and culturally respectful. It will serve as a space for sharing knowledge, connecting generations, and strengthening community resilience, while also encouraging environmental stewardship and respect for Country.
Through this Bush Tucker and Community Garden, we aim to grow more than food—we aim to grow community, culture, and confident young leaders who understand the importance of working together to make a difference.Ashlyn HubbleEmu Plains Guides Bush Tucker and Community Gardenhttps://www.girlguides-nswactnt.org.au/AustraliaSydneyhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sydneytag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3628582025-09-30T00:00:00Z2025-09-30T19:30:10ZAustin, TX – The ReWork Project: Dignified Work Opportunities The ReWork Project is dedicated to providing dignified work opportunities and social support services to people experiencing homelessness and housing instability in Austin.
"ReWorkers" learn how to build wood products and are paid a competitive wage to make picnic tables, drink carriers, and cornhole game boards that are sold to the public, with all proceeds re-invested in the project.
By providing work that is rewarding, well-paid, and flexible enough to meet the unique needs of people with housing instability, the ReWork Project gives people who want to work an opportunity that would not otherwise exist.
A $1000 grant from the Austin Awesome Foundation will support the purchase and installation of a utility sink for the project's new workshop.
Allison EskewThe ReWork Project: Dignified Work Opportunities http://www.reworkproject.orgUnited StatesAustin, TXhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/austintag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3632012025-09-30T00:00:00Z2025-10-06T15:49:12ZNew York City, NY – The Art-O-Mat: A Creative Community ExchangeOur September grant has been awarded to the Art-O-Mat, a nostalgic, interactive art exchange by artist Molly Rosner, coming to a local Harlem shop later this season! **This custom-designed vending machine will dispense original, NYC-inspired mini art prints for just four quarters!** With the support of this Awesome Foundation grant, the funds will be used to set up, supply, and install the first machine to launch the project.
In Molly's own words: _"I’m creating a whimsical, interactive art exchange right in the heart of Harlem! My custom-designed vending machine will dispense original, NYC-inspired mini art prints for just $1. **But here’s the awesome twist: when someone gets a print, they’re invited to leave their own miniature drawing or words of wisdom behind to help resupply the machine for the next person.**"_
_"**This isn't just a vending machine: It's a self-sustaining engine of community creativity.** It turns a simple transaction into a moment of connection, creating a living, crowdsourced art exchange and archive that reflects the vibrant spirit of our neighborhood. It's nostalgic and fun but also creates a creative opportunity to connect neighbors through creativity and passed-along knowledge."_
The Art-O-Mat is nothing without the community that fuels it! Here’s how you can be a part of it:
1. **FOLLOW & SHARE:** Track their progress, learn where to find the Art-O-Mat, and see the community contributions in real-time on Instagram [@mobotdoodles](https://www.instagram.com/mobotdoodles)
2. **VISIT & PLAY:** When you see it in a local Harlem shop, be a pioneer! Bring quarters, get your art, and add your own drawing or note to the collection
3. **CONTRIBUTE A PROMPT:** Have a fun idea for a drawing theme? Molly will be rotating prompts and would love your suggestions!
Molly RosnerThe Art-O-Mat: A Creative Community Exchangehttps://www.instagram.com/mobotdoodlesUnited StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3643172025-09-30T00:00:00Z2025-10-22T12:49:47ZSan Antonio, TX – A Very Aerium Unbirthday:Cirque Volaer PerformanceThe AERIUM isn’t just a dance studio—it’s a sanctuary where aerial arts become both an emotional and physical journey. In alignment with its mission to foster artistry, strength, self-worth, and performance through flight, we are proud to introduce our first-ever Pre-Professional Company, CIRQUE VOLAER. This company prepares aspiring aerial artists to step boldly into the limelight.
We aim to present a public production featuring dancers and aerialists from CIRQUE VOLAER, performing on silks, lyra, trapeze, cube, and other apparatuses—showcasing their imagination, athleticism, and emotional expression. This show invites San Antonio audiences to experience the transformative power of aerial arts while supporting studio members as artists and performers.
Our performances explore themes ranging from classic literature to contemporary reimagining of traditional circus. Our cast of locally trained performers is eager to expand our reach, increase accessibility to the aerial arts, and inspire future flyers, audiences, and collaborators alike.
With Awesome Foundation funding, we will bring this vision to life—providing rehearsal space, technical production, and mentoring opportunities—culminating in a community-wide event that celebrates resilience, artistry, and joy through aerial movement.Sidney AbeytaA Very Aerium Unbirthday:Cirque Volaer Performancehttps://www.theaerium.co/companyUnited StatesSan Antonio, TXhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/sanantoniotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/3647402025-09-30T00:00:00Z2025-10-02T18:09:05ZDisability – InclusivePath: Transforming Challenge CoursesInclusivePath is a disability-led initiative to transform our High Ropes Challenge Course in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland into an inclusive, accessible, and empowering adventure space for disabled people.
The course was gifted to ELTA (Experiential Learning Through Adventure) in 2024. While now operational, it lacks the adaptive equipment needed for disabled participants to take part safely and meaningfully. This creates a barrier to outdoor recreation, personal growth, and social connection.
Our project will remove those barriers by acquiring specialised adaptive harnesses and a hoist system, enabling people with physical and neurological impairments to fully participate. The impact is immediate and tangible: instead of watching from the ground, disabled participants will be able to climb, swing, and soar alongside their peers—sharing the same joy, challenge, and achievement.
This project is disability-led, with governance and design guided by ELTA trustee and project lead Mark Mandeno, a disabled outdoor educator. His lived experience ensures that accessibility and inclusion are not afterthoughts but central to everything we do.
By transforming a traditional ropes course into an inclusive adventure hub, we aim to inspire confidence, resilience, and community for participants of all abilities. We believe outdoor learning is a powerful catalyst for growth—and disabled people deserve full access to that experience. With your support, InclusivePath will show how a relatively small investment in adaptive equipment can create lasting change, sparking joy and empowerment for years to come.
**What our grantee is saying:** “Receiving this award means that people with various impairments in Aotearoa New Zealand will no longer have to sit on the sidelines when it comes to outdoor adventure! With the support of the Awesome Foundation, InclusivePath can open up our high ropes course to anyone and everyone, so participants with various impairments can climb, swing, and soar alongside their peers! This funding is not just about equipment; it’s about breaking barriers and sparking joy, confidence, and belonging! Thank you so much for the support, the Awesome Foundation!"Akari ImafukuInclusivePath: Transforming Challenge CoursesWorldwideDisabilityhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/chapters/disability