Awesome Foundation - Projects

Disability – FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT OF DEAF PEOPLE TO DRIVE

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

This project is about petitioning the Supreme Court in Rwanda to grant deaf people their constitutional right to drive. In Rwanda, there is actually a law that bars deaf people from driving a motor vehicle. In East and Central Africa, it is only in Rwanda where deaf people are not allowed to drive. The proponents of the discriminatory law mentioned above argue that deaf drivers are likely to cause traffic accidents because they can’t hear any sound in case of a traffic emergency. However, we don’t agree. We believe there is no valid reason that can stop a deaf person from safely and professionally driving a motor vehicle. In fact, researches have shown that deaf drivers are among cautious and law-abiding motorists on the road because of their sensitivity to what is happening around them, including reading all road sign and checking their mirrors all the time. In contrast, studies have also shown that hearing motorists are easily distracted by the noises around them such music, phone calls, honks, etc. To those who argue that deaf people can’t drive because they can’t just hear, we are to show them that most of the road signs and flashing lights have been designed not to be heard but to be seen. And as such, it is arguable that the deaf should be the first person to be licensed to drive because of their easy understanding of road signage. To deny deaf people their right to drive means to prevent them from doing businesses like any other citizens. It is also to rob them of them their freedom of movement without depending on others. Our project seeks to challenge the constitutionality of the law mentioned above. We are going to hire a top lawyer who will argue our case in the Supreme Court and hopefully have that discriminatory law repelled to allow deaf person to drive. **What our grantee is saying:** "On behalf of my fellow deaf people I have worked with to conceive this project, I am humbled and incredibly grateful to be awarded the Awesome Disability Grant by the Awesome Foundation, which I am thrilled to accept. What a prodigious honor to receive this awesome grant! This grant will no doubt be instrumental in our fight against the discriminatory law that unjustly denies deaf people their right to drive a motor vehicle in Rwanda. The project has been a lingering dream of my fellows and me for ages, and we can finally bring it to life. it is going to be AWESOME thanks to your support. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the selection committee for recognizing the potential of this project to promote disability rights in my country, Rwanda. I am committed to using this grant to its fullest potential and keeping you posted on the progress. Thank you once again for believing in this project".

Ann Arbor, MI – Free Art Fridays

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

Mint Artists Guild is a non-profit that offers a host of programs to Detroit youth to aid in skills including but not limited to, youth development, entrepreneurship, community service, and collaboration. Through these programs, youth are given a space to express their creativity and access to a multitude of art supplies. Free Art Fridays is a global art movement that focuses on providing communities with free and accessible art. Mint Artists Guild's Free Art Fridays focus on Detroit and surrounding communities. On Fridays, when the weather permits, Art is placed outside of local businesses and parks to be taken for free. Mint Artists Guild posts about these locations in riddles on their social media so it becomes an interactive scavenger hunt with followers. For many, art can be expensive or they may not have the time to visit museums or art galleries. Free Art Fridays gives everyone a chance to own a piece of handcrafted art. Ultimately, Free Art Fridays is a fun and engaging way to spread art into the community.

Liverpool – Queer Places

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

Queer Places is a creative archiving project celebrating the vibrant, humble and sometimes filthy LGBTQ+ spaces of Liverpool's past, present and future. Using personal memories, photographs and records, we hope to collect and share some of the fascinating tales of Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ spaces - shedding light on the people and their selfless resistance that made these places possible. An exciting part of the project is re-modelling historic LGBTQ+ venues, where artist Luke Fawcett creates vibrant 3D models, digital experiences and illustrations, uncovering new ways to experience ephemeral queer heritage. As part of the 2023 Homotopia Festival, the Queer Places project launch sold out, with over 75 FREE copies of the project guide joining personal and community libraries across the city and afar. The encouragement, feedback and growing research that blossomed since the project launch has led to the next step, with an exhibition displaying the artwork, research and local community stories over Liverpool Pride Month (July) until November 2024. Supported by Unit3 Design Studio - an LGBTQ+ owned design studio based in Liverpool - Queer Places is exhibiting within their Baltic Triangle venue, offering an exciting opportunity to learn about the project whilst also calling out for more personal stories to be added to the growing LGBTQ+ archive.

Toronto – Text for Help - Newcomer Help Line

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

We have recently received so many requests for help from newcomers in the Kenyan community in Toronto. These requests range from information about where to get used furniture or where to buy ethnic foods to what bus to take to get to a particular location. However, sometimes the requests are more urgent and serious such as someone needing urgent help and needs to be connected to emergency services. Newcomers are sometimes scared to reach out to government services or other formal sectors either because they don't know how to reach them or because they don't fell empowered to do so. It would be nice if there was a dedicated phone number that they could call or text and someone would be able to respond to them especially in cases where it is urgent! This project, run by the not-for profit Kenyan Community in Ontario, will set up a number for newly arrived people to text, connecting them with a group of 6 volunteers have signed up to take turns responding to the texts to help newcomers feel supported.

San Antonio, TX – NOVA Debate Camp

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

NOVA Debate Camp is a two week, online Public Forum debate summer camp run by high school and college debaters from across the nation. Our mission is to increase accessibility and equity in debate by reducing cost barriers to participation and competitive success. Public Forum debate is a competitive high school debate event organized by the NSDA. Students compete in teams of 2, alternating between affirming and negating resolutions surrounding domestic and foreign policy, such as Medicare for All or NATO defense policy. We are firm believers in the educational and personal benefits competitive debate offers: research skills, argumentative writing, public speaking, critical thinking, etc. Unfortunately, debate is dominated by few schools with many resources. Most successful programs have private coaches and thousands in funding, and students’ families spend thousands on summer institutes where students receive personalized instruction for several weeks, drastically improving their skill. Naturally, prices put camps out of reach for most. NOVA aims to counter this inequity by removing the financial barriers to participate in debate by providing the same instruction as traditional camps for free, increasing the number of students in debate overall. Over the course of a traditional camp, students attend lectures based on their experience level, hone research skills, engage in practice debates, run drills to practice particular types of arguments, and more. At the end of the camp, students apply their skills in a camp wide tournament. In order to provide the best possible experience to our debaters, we follow this structure, giving students different ways to learn. Each lab has two instructors who are selected through an interview and application process that seeks out upperclassmen that demonstrate the ability to lead effectively and teach with compassion. Historically, NOVA’s lab instructors have been some of the highest ranked competitive debaters in the country.

Washington, DC – Museum Square Blooms

2024-04-29T00:00:00Z

Since the construction of the Capital One Arena, gentrification has reduced Chinatown’s Chinese population from 3,000 to around 300. Museum Square Apartment houses many of the remaining Chinese Americans in DC’s Chinatown, most of whom are working class, immigrants, elders, and non-English speakers. For over a decade, the Black and Asian American tenants of Museum Square have been embroiled in a battle with their landlord, Bush Companies, whose clear objective is to empty and sell the 302-unit building for profit. Earlier this month, DC council voted to spend $515 million on a public-private plan to further develop Chinatown and boost its strength as a revenue generator. The new Chinatown Taskforce and the Mayor’s Downtown Action Plan were created without resident involvement. They threaten to further displace the Chinatown community. The Save Chinatown Solidarity Network (SCSN) has been working with the tenants in their anti-displacement fight to pressure their landlord to sell the building to their chosen development partners and improve current building conditions. The fight for Museum Square is a fight for affordable housing and the right of low-income Black, brown, and people of color to live in DC. SCSN plans to hold “Museum Square Blooms'' as an event to strengthen community bonds in Chinatown and amplify tenants’ voices in Museum Square. The event will consist of a floral arrangement centerpiece and an altar-making activity. The floral centerpiece will be composed of a bench and garden arch trellis filled with live flowers, where community members will be able to contribute to the flower arrangement. The altar-making activity will honor the current Museum Square tenants and act as an expression of the reclamation of home, where tenants will bring household items to be placed on the altar. We will have ample documentation of this invite for digital impact. This event will be a valuable and impactful cultural intervention amid a critical moment for Chinatown

Yerevan – <<Վառեմ-Մարեմ>> արվեստանոց

2024-04-26T00:00:00Z

Մենք Վառեմ-Մարեմն ենք՝ Գյումրիում առաջին բաց ֆորմատով արվեստանոցը, որտեղ ունենք կավագործության դասընթացներ, մաստերկլասներ, անունների պատ, ձեռագործ հուշանվերներ և սուրճի պատուհան: Մաստերկլաս- Վարպետության 1 անգամյա դասի ընթացքում հյուրը իր ձեռքով՝ տեղացի վարպետի օգնությամբ, պատրաստում է տարբեր առարկաներ, որը միանգամից վերցնում է իր հետ: Անունի պատ-Գյումրիու թոփ 5 այցելվող վայրում՝ <<Մեր մանկության տանգո>>ն ֆիլմից հայտնի պատշգամբի դիմաց՝ արվեստանոցի դրսի պատին բոլոր հյուրերը հնարավորություն ունեն փակցնելու իրենց անունները կավե տառերի միջոցով՝ խաչբառի սկզբունքով: Ձեռագործ հուշանվերներ-Արվեստանոցի վարպետների կողմից պատրաստված թեմատիկ հուշանվերների վաճառք: Կավագործության խմբակ-Կավագործության մշտական խմբակ բոլոր տարիքային անձանց համար, ինչպես նաև արտթերապիա՝ սահմանափակ հնարավորություններ ունեցող անձանց համար: Սուրճի պատուհան-Հյուրերը այստեղ ստանում են համեղ սուրճ և միաժամանակ իրենց դիմանկարը՝ սուրճի թղթե բաժակի վրա, որը նկարում է մեր նկարչուհին րոպեների ընթացքում: Ընթացիկ կազմակերպում ենք նաև կրթական ծրագրեր և համերգներ:

Gloucester, MA – Gloucester Grain: Film Photography on Cape Ann

2024-04-25T00:00:00Z

Over a lifetime of roaming Cape Ann with film cameras of every description I've amassed a catalog of images, flavored with a side of Gloucester usually overlooked. People come from far to see lighthouses, fishing boats, schooners and lobster bouys hung on shack doors. I've made a fair number of images of those things as well but more often turn the camera towards people ,and things not noticed by tourists. Approached this week by friend and YA Author Janet Young, she has spurred me to action and wants to host a show of my work. It's at her suggestion I am applying here and also with the GCC. No pixels are harmed in the making of my photographs. They're made with film, in a camera, and printed in a darkroom. I sometimes chemically tone them like Fred Bodin would to his well known antique plate images. (I miss Fred). The look is different in ways a computer can aspire to, but not achieve. My goals include being able to produce a representative juried slate of photographs in larger sizes, dry mount and frame them for exhibit. The interest generated by the recent GDT photography exhibit shows that there's a resurgence in film photography as an art form, and as I've seen on social media there's a great deal of local nostalgia for scenes and characters recognizable to Gloucester natives. I'm 'from away', as you'd say. Born in Winchester, but graduated GHS in '85. The resulting show will be shown in a succession of local venues open to the public. There will be enough to satisfy a one person show at a number of places, and I hope the Swift Gallery and one of the more modest halls at the Historical Society will be among these. Once produced prints will be made available to viewers, but I hope to keep the body of work intact for at least two years as it is exhibited.

Rhode Island – Bloodletter Magazine

2024-04-25T00:00:00Z

Bloodletter is a biannual feminist horror magazine showcasing personal and analytical perspectives on the horrific by women, trans, and non-binary writers. Their core mission is to empower emerging writers, support diversity, and celebrate marginalized voices. Bloodletter is a magazine and a community, bonded by the alchemic capacity of storytelling to transform horror into liberation. Each issue is organized around a central theme and illustrated by a different featured artist, resulting in a unique multidisciplinary digital platform. They are fiscally sponsored by The Field’s Social Justice Arts Practitioners program. Bloodletter will be building out a new section of the Bloodletter website: a blog to host their film festival collabs and to increase publication opportunities for their contributors, further improve their site’s SEO, etc.

State College, PA – Intro to Stand-Up for Women & Non-Binary Voices

2024-04-24T00:00:00Z

Our project, a stand-up comedy class exclusively for women and non-binary individuals, aims to transform the local comedy scene into a more inclusive and supportive environment. At Happy Valley Improv, we've observed a stark gender imbalance at our events, with a recent open mic night featuring 13 men and no women or non-binary participants. This disparity is not unique to our community and reflects a broader issue within the comedy industry, where diverse voices are often marginalized. This class, led by Tyler O. Jones, a respected Black woman and comedian in our local community, will provide a safe and nurturing space for underrepresented voices to explore and express their comedic talents. By offering this course, we aim to empower participants to share their unique perspectives and experiences, challenging a system that has historically labeled them as "not funny." Funding from the Awesome Foundation will enable us to offer this transformative experience at no cost to the first five registrants and at a discounted rate for others, making it accessible to those who might otherwise be unable to participate. The class will be limited to 10 students to foster a tight-knit community and ensure individual attention. Participants will learn various joke-writing and delivery techniques, engage in discussions about comedy, and prepare a 5-minute stand-up set. The program will conclude with a showcase at the Blue Brick Theatre, where students will perform their routines to an audience of family, friends, and community members, promoting diversity and inclusivity within the local arts scene. By funding this project, the Awesome Foundation would not only support the growth of local artists but also champion a shift towards a more inclusive and diverse comedic community in State College.

Gainesville, FL – “Girl Talk!” at Pace Center for Girls of Alachua

2024-04-24T00:00:00Z

Girl Talk! is a girls’ empowerment organization that meets weekly under the Black Girl Futures community-university partnership. Operating within an intergenerational model that harnesses the expertise of Black faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, as well as Black girls aged 13-18, our program strives to provide girls with the tools to critically analyze their present circumstances, reflect on their experiences, and envision the possibilities for their future through research, arts, discussion, reading, leadership and planning opportunities, and enrichment trips.

Ottawa – Frank St Bee & Butterfly Garden

2024-04-23T00:00:00Z

April’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Sam Rohe and Carlos Murray to support the Frank St. Bee & Butterfly Garden. “The Frank Street Garden exists to provide a beautiful space to build friendships and community,” explains Sam, “while learning how to support local pollinators and ecosystems.” “Established in 2019,” Sam continues, “the garden has now grown into a collaboratively managed grassroots community group. In the past year we hosted several well-attended community events, including a herb walk, a Pride community BBQ, a seed collection event, and several smaller volunteer appreciation and education sessions. We aim to promote friendships between neighbours of all ages, ethnic and social backgrounds, and levels of physical ability over a mutual love of caring for the land. During the off-season we have roughly 10 core members who continue to work on garden projects on and off despite the snow cover. In the gardening season, our ranks grow to as many as 40 volunteers.” “Last year,” says Sam, “we received a grant that we used to start a Microgrant for Racialized Gardeners, which allowed us to financially support Black, Indigenous and People of Colour in our community who have historically been denied access to land and nature due to racism. This year, we were the lucky recipients of a land donation from a nearby property manager. On this new plot, we plan to build raised beds so that folks don’t have to bend down to learn how to tend a pollinator garden.” Want to learn more about the garden and local pollinators? You can join Sam and Carlos on a [free tour] (https://www.janeswalkottawa.ca/en/walks/janes-walk-ottawa-gatineau-2024/21971) on May 5, as part of Jane’s Walk. You can also visit [linktr.ee/frankstbbg] (linktr.ee/frankstbbg) to become a volunteer, find out about events, donate to support the garden, and more. Sam is one of nine organizers of the Frank St. Bee & Butterfly Garden, and organizes activity around the garden as a form of anti-capitalist environmental praxis focused on community and resource-sharing. Carlos is one of the founders of the garden and is himself a flower child growing wild.

Chicago, IL – The Big Bata Weekend

2024-04-23T00:00:00Z

The Irish martial art called bataireacht - or Irish stick fighting - was used for generations in community ritual and to resist colonization in Ireland (including a rich legacy of helping to drive landlords out of communities....), and which was almost lost to memory due to the Famine and targeted campaigns to eradicate the practice. I'm a trans and queer person and I'm one of only 8 instructors in the world in the family style that I practice! This art has many practical uses for us today, as it teaches us how to wield mobility devices (walking sticks and canes, and similar (long umbrellas etc) for combat...and its history offers necessary challenges, lessons, and guidance for us in what it means to show up in the verb of solidarity in and for anti-colonial movements and in community care, accountability, and defense work. The two day workshop on this art in Chicago in May is called the Big Bata Weekend - May 18 and 19th and include not just training in the martial art itself with guided practice fighting, but deep storytelling and communal dialogue on the history & cultural ecosystem of this art, deep somatics work and physical therapy care to support students of a wide range of abilities in sustaining this kind of training. My classes always center my fellow trans and queer people (tho they're open to all who fight by our side) and because of this, these workshops are suuuper unlike most martial arts classes you've taken. These are spaces where femmes, fat folks, homos, & disabled babes are not just welcome, but the norm, where we gab about queer histories, talk thru specific strategies for fucking up white supremacists, laugh hard, PLAY, and otherwise explore in detail, from a place of joy, how this art can keep our communities safer, along with everything else. I am so excited for this offering to come to life! Folks can participate in both days or opt just for our Intro workshop on Saturday.

Orlando, FL – DISCOVERY & JOY Celebrating Children & their Art

2024-04-22T00:00:00Z

CREATING THE ART & INFUSING CULTURAL LEARNING Children ages 8-15 at Edgewood Children’s Ranch, Orlando Union Rescue Mission, & Maxey Elementary School will create artwork exploring individual discovery & the joy (& sorrow) of childhood. Three of the art projects will include a cultural component. Teen girls at Edgewood Children’s Ranch will draw large self-portraits accompanied by written narratives. Tweens & teens at Edgewood will learn about Spirit Animals, a sacred tradition of Indigenous peoples, then create a portrait of a spirit animal they feel an affinity for & admire. Orlando Union Rescue Mission tweens & teens will learn about Adinkra fabric printing & woven Kente cloth from Ghana, then create individual symbols & patterned artwork inspired by both art forms. Their individual art pieces will be put together to form a large group banner. Third grade students at Maxey Elementary School will learn about Oaxacan wood carving then use neon paint & paint markers to create butterflies inspired by this Mexican folk-art style. Students at each location will explore a different art medium. Mediums used will include - pastels, oil pastels, painting & block printing. We hope to share short presentations by local residents from each of the countries represented with the students. CELEBRATING THE ART & ARTISTS The art will be displayed at “A Perfect Union Gallery” in Ocoee May 4 - June 2, 2024. An opening reception for the student artists, their parents, & invited guests from local communities will be held May 4th 5:30-7:30. We are pursuing food donations for the reception from restaurants representing various cultures. We plan to include a performance by students who attend drama classes at Finding the Lost Sheep-Impact Center in Winter Garden. The art display will also feature artwork by local folk artist Dafeney Josue. Dafeney is assisting with planning the art project for Maxey Elementary students. She will also work with the students as they create their art.

Brumadinho – Café Conserto

2024-04-22T00:00:00Z

O projeto "Café Conserto" visa realizar seis edições de um encontro colaborativo e educativo voltado ao conserto de objetos. Inspirado nos "repair cafes”, cada vez mais comuns em diversos países, o evento propõe uma experiência sustentável, divertida e instrutiva. Neles, os participantes compartilham uma grande bancada de trabalho, praticando coletivamente o reparo de objetos como eletrodomésticos, roupas, brinquedos, objetos decorativos, entre outros. Buscando reduzir o desperdício e promover a conscientização ambiental, o projeto incentiva a comunidade a repensar sua relação com objetos de consumo. Além disso, por meio dessa atividade, os participantes têm a oportunidade de trocar conhecimentos e experiências sobre habilidades manuais, operação de ferramentas, eletroeletrônica, costura, etc. Os seis encontros, a serem realizados mensalmente aos sábados, irão compor a programação de inauguração da Galeria Cabra, novo espaço cultural em Casa Branca. Idealizada pelo Instituto Cabra – atuante há 5 anos no município de Brumadinho – a Galeria oferecerá uma programação regular de mostras, oficinas e ateliês colaborativos, abordando temáticas como arte, tecnologia, educação e sustentabilidade. Com acesso gratuito e atividades orientadas por dois técnicos/artistas, o "Café Conserto" pretende proporcionar um ambiente acolhedor onde os participantes que, além de desfrutar de um “cafezinho”, aprenderão habilidades práticas, transformando a reparação em gestos ecológicos e oportunidades de crescimento pessoal e integração com a comunidade. O objetivo final desta ação é articular uma rede comprometida com a sustentabilidade, utilizando pequenos reparos como grandes gestos em prol do nosso planeta.

Brumadinho – OFICINA SONHANDO EM ARTE

2024-04-22T00:00:00Z

A Oficina Sonhando em Arte, foi criada para a realização de um sonho: promover a interação psicossocial infantil, para desenvolvimento de habilidades e capacidade de criação de forma genuína e sustentável, oferecendo a crianças de 07 a 12 anos, que moram em Palhano e que estejam matriculadas e frequentando regularmente as aulas do Ensino Fundamental, uma experiência lúdica para expressão dos seus sentimentos através da arte. A Oficina acontece no Ateliê Nãnart, na qual cede gentilmente o espaço para que as aulas possam ocorrer da melhor forma possível. As aulas acontecem uma vez na semana, sendo toda quinta-feira, com duração de 02 horas e tendo por turma 6 alunos. Cada turma frequenta a Oficina por 4 semanas. A artesã responsável Vitória Trindade, com o intuito de valorizar o circuito ceramista que temos na região de Brumadinho, se propõe a disponibilizar seu tempo, conhecimento e experiência para oferecer às crianças de Palhano, um ambiente em que elas possam buscar conquistar a integração e síntese entre matéria e forma, e aprender sobre o trabalho artesanal, em específico peças manuais feitas com argila, que após a queima e esmaltação, se tornam cerâmicas. Em conjunto, o trabalho artesanal em caixas de MDF também é desenvolvido na Oficina, agregando uma maior experiência na vida dessas crianças. Além dos 2 estilos de artesanatos praticados, são confeccionados e entregues em cada aula, um Kit complementar Para Casa, para que o aluno desenvolva junto a família todo o aprendizado adquirido nas aulas.

Poughkeepsie, NY – POP Radio Hub Core Promo Table

2024-04-22T00:00:00Z

Hub Core is not your average community project—it's a groundbreaking grassroots endeavor crafted to swiftly ignite job opportunities for local performing artists and residents alike. Led by the visionary minds of Planet of People (POP) Radio and Kollabo Kingdom, Hub Core is making waves with its Soft Launch this Spring. Hub Core’s mission is to transform Main Street and other key spots in Poughkeepsie into vibrant hubs for performance and promotion, one block at a time. We believe in fostering community synergy through dynamic spaces that empower individuals and spark creativity. Why only one block & one table? Starting small isn't just a strategy—it's our secret sauce. By kicking off with a modest scope, we can meticulously research, refine, and optimize our process. This approach enables us to stretch every sponsorship dollar and grant fund to its fullest potential, ensuring transparency and maximum impact. Who’s POP Radio & Kollabo Kingdom? Planet of People Radio, founded by the spirited Su the Producer, draws inspiration from Su's own experiences with Radio Rootz at WBAI & Democracy Now. Our roving radio station isn't just a platform—it's a community-driven resonating voice, nurturing future journalists, editors, and executives along the way. Kollabo Kingdom, a coalition of community leaders and specialists, emerged from the challenges of the pandemic with a singular purpose: to uplift historically disadvantaged communities. Their collaboration with POP Radio has birthed a revolutionary blueprint for grassroots revenue generation.

Oahu, HI – Mural of Kalihi Valley for Fern Elementary School

2024-04-22T00:00:00Z

This mural is a place-based project, reflecting the beautiful landscape and ancient stories of Kalihi Valley, where Fern Elementary School is located. The students of the Fern Art Club will be participating in the painting of this mural. They have been preparing with lessons on underpainting, color mixing, and brush strokes. Fern Elementary is a Title 1 school (that receives federal funds to support low-income students and improve academic achievement) and most students come from the neighboring public housing projects. There are many good artists among them! A lot of people on campus are helping this mural come into being - teachers, office staff, custodians, administration, and students. A team of artists/teachers and the Po'okumu (Principal) did research, made draft artworks and participated in the selection of the image to be painted. An indoor office wall has been dedicated for the mural. A presentation ceremony is being planned upon the completion of the mural before this school year is over. It is our hope that this will be a lasting and classic artwork, bringing pride and knowledge and delight to everyone who enters the school office. This mural was first dreamed of by Fern's Po'okumu Glen Miyasato, who was awarded Principal of the Year in 2023. p.s. The website is for Fern Elementary School. There isn't any website for just the mural project.

Santa Cruz, CA – Free Professional Headshots for Students

2024-04-21T00:00:00Z

My name is Anthony Alcala and I'm the owner of The Booth Bus. We are interested in hosting free professional portrait/ head-shots for local students in Watsonville, CA for their LinkedIn profiles/ CV applications. Watsonville is uniquely located in the southern district of Santa Cruz County and is predominantly a Hispanic, Latinx population with lower income compared to other regions. Santa Cruz, CA is Silicon Valley's next door neighbor but yet Watsonville's population doesn't seem to reap the job benefits of big tech. There's a really cool project called Digital Nest that operates in Watsonville and helps Watsonville youth learn to code and gain employable skills for Silicon Valley type jobs and our desire is to pair with Digital Nest and offer their students and other local Watsonville schools with free high-end, professional head-shots to help them with their future career ambitions. Now more than ever, it's important to have a strong digital presence. And we strongly believe a stand-out photo will empower these students to succeed in their quests for ambitious careers.

Pittsburgh, PA – Pennwood Portraits

2024-04-19T00:00:00Z

Pennwood Portraits is a series of sculptural busts being made of residents of the Pennwood Nursing Home in Wilkinsburg. The act of sculpting a portrait bust is normally not seen by bystanders. It is a way to connect with the residents, hear their stories, be present with them, and share their space. The project, at its core, is about sharing time and creating reciprocity for the residents.

Kingston – Indigenous Counsellor at Sexual Assault Centre

2024-04-18T00:00:00Z

Our project aims to create a Traditional Medicine and Pollinator Healing Garden tailored specifically for survivors of sexualized violence in our community. This garden will serve as a sacred space where survivors can connect with Medicines, traditional healing practices, and culturally meaningful Teachings. We believe that healing from trauma requires holistic approaches that honor Indigenous wisdom, and this garden will provide a nurturing environment for survivors to embark on their healing journey. Through the cultivation of medicinal plants, engagement in traditional ceremonies, and fostering connections with pollinators and the land, our project seeks to promote resilience, empowerment, and restoration for survivors in a culturally affirming way.

Miami, FL – Sprout Up Gardens

2024-04-18T00:00:00Z

Sprout Up is on a mission to create community aeroponic gardens in South Dade County to teach residents of underserved communities this new gardening technology. Sprout Up Gardens' are aeroponic gardens, vertical gardens that use 2% of the water required for traditional gardening and 90% less space yet produce more nutrient-dense produce, as alternatives to traditional gardening methods. In addition to teaching participants about aeroponic gardening, Sprout Up will offer nutrition, meal planning, and cooking education. Classes will be open to those who are interested in learning more about healthy eating and how to take the foods that are grown in the garden to prepare healthy meals. The goal of the outreach and education efforts is to empower participants to make healthy food choices, maximize the impact of the food assistance they receive, and reduce chronic health conditions that are often found in food deserts which plaque South Dade County.

Glasgow – RISE: Stories of Sisterhood

2024-04-17T00:00:00Z

Our awesome project, ‘RISE: Stories of Sisterhood’ is a celebration of resilience, empowerment, and community among asylum-seeking women, refugees, and their children in Glasgow. ‘Stories of Sisterhood’ will be a vibrant event taking place as part of Refugee Festival Scotland 2024, where we will provide a platform for women to share their experiences, forge connections, and build solidarity through the art of storytelling. At its core, ‘RISE: Stories of Sisterhood’ is about amplifying, and celebrating, voices that are often marginalised or silenced. By creating a safe and inclusive space for storytelling, we empower participants to reclaim their narratives and celebrate the strength and diversity of their journeys. By bringing together diverse voices and backgrounds, we will promote social cohesion and combat isolation, ultimately enhancing community wellbeing. In addition to storytelling, ‘RISE: Stories of Sisterhood’ will also involve foodsharing, symbolising the unity and nourishment that comes from community support. By breaking bread together, attendees form meaningful connections and celebrate the diversity of their stories. As we mark the 10th anniversary of Unity Sisters, ‘RISE: Stories of Sisterhood’ represents a milestone in our commitment to uplifting and empowering marginalised women and girls. By supporting this project, the Awesome Foundation can help make Glasgow a more awesome place by celebrating the resilience and diversity of girls, women, non-binary, and all trans people in our communities.

Glasgow – GGFC Coaching Badges for Disadvantaged Females

2024-04-17T00:00:00Z

We are a community based and community focused charity which currently has 280 female members in the age range 7 - 24. Many of the young females that we engage with on a weekly basis are excluded and marginalised and have a poor history of engagement in school and mainstream support services. A significant number of these young females are furthest removed from education and employment and experience a cocktail of poverty related issues and challenges which have an adverse impact on their personal development. These issues and challenges can include poor inclusion, low confidence and self-esteem, poor self-image, poor mental wellbeing, poor resilience, poor behaviour linked to alcohol and drug misuse. Some have been/are engaged with social services and are disaffected, failing to engage in mainstream learning and development opportunities. These young females are passionate about football and fully engage in twice weekly coaching/training sessions, and organised football matches on weekends. Regular engagement with our football volunteer coaches and staff members provides us with the opportunity to build strong, trusting relationships with these females and to gradually integrate them to the support services which our organisation delivers to support them to improve their learning, educational attainment and skills and experience for employment. These support activities include: an in-house learning centre, volunteer activities project, peer mentoring programme, and transnational vocational education project.

Glasgow – Physiotherapy Fitness Classes for Women

2024-04-17T00:00:00Z

I have recently started Women's Fitness Classes at The Deep End in Govanhill. They run on Tuesday evenings from 16:30-17:30. As a physiotherapist, I wanted to create opportunities for women in my community to feel safe in a fitness environment in order to build confidence in their bodies. I work in the NHS and regularly see people living with persistent pain and fatigue who face multiple barriers to accessing a fitness routine. The most common barriers to joining a class or a gym are cost and confidence. A lot of the women I treat do not feel comfortable working out in a place where men might see them, or entering a wellness space that feels exclusive, intimidating and "not for people like them". Cost is also prohibitive so I offer my classes on a pay what you can basis down to zero. Unfortunately there are not a lot of options for people who need it the most. These classes have been my attempt to create a fun, accessible option in the Southside of Glasgow. I have created a circuit of exercises that will improve full body strength, cardiovascular fitness, range of movement, balance, bone density and function. Each station has several options, from absolute beginner to highly advanced. As a physiotherapist I can also adapt any exercise to make it more manageable as needed. We play fun music throughout the entire class, and I encourage the women to take breaks whenever they need to in order for them to feel completely comfortable. I am really grateful to have received great feedback from all of the women so far, including refugees, asylum seekers, and women living with chronic conditions. The ages of the participants range from 20s to 60s, and the classes are always filled with smiles and laughter as we encourage each other to keep moving!

Brumadinho – Reciclo é o caminho.

2024-04-16T00:00:00Z

Através da conscientização dos moradores do bairro Monte Cristo, em Brumadinho, trabalharemos o descarte correto de materiais recicláveis e através do artesanato teremos produtos para incentivar a sua comercialização e transformar o bairro fazendo-o como modelo no município. O dinheiro será utilizado para a compra de insumos, tais como tintas, tecidos, pincéis , tecidos para acabamento e etc.

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!

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 – 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)

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.

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.

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!

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/)

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."

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 – 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 (Non-active) – 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 (Non-active) – 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.

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