Awesome Foundation - Projects

Sydney – The Equal Hearts Project

2014-02-05T00:00:00Z

The Equal Hearts Project is an artistic work raising awareness for marriage equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and interest community. The project is a collaboration between myself, the gay community and the general public. The project consists of thousands of handmade paper origami hearts, using the six colours associated with gay pride. The hearts are individually numbered, each one is assigned to one individual who writes a message of support on their heart. I then photograph each of the participants with their hearts, and encourage them to join the project's Facebook page, Twitter and Blog. I upload the scanned images of the hearts containing the message plus the photographs of the participants to Facebook, Twitter & the website so they can see their contribution and the contributions of the other participants. I do this to maintain the connection and interaction between the participants, myself & the project in order to keep the issue alive, and to raise awareness and discussion about marriage equality in the hope that change might be instigated. I then string the hearts onto fishing lines, 18 hearts on each line, which I then attached to a pink rotary washing line in order to create the installation. I choose to use a rotary washing line because it is one of the most recognised icons associated with Australia & 'married domestic bliss'. The strings of rainbow hearts and the hot pink colour of the washing line are associated with the Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and interest community. My aim was to artistically marry the two iconic themes together plus allow the community to comment, have a voice and contribute not only to The Equal Hearts Project but the the marriage equality cause in an original and creative way. The project is currently ongoing, there is still approximately 1000 hearts to be signed & added to the installation. I hope to finish the project & exhibited during Sydney G&L Mardi Gras 2014.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Blended Rhythms Drum Up Community

2014-02-05T00:00:00Z

Montserrat is a tiny island in the West Indies, and recent volcanic activity caused mass emigration to the UK and US, leaving just 5,000 people to rebuild. This “Emerald Isle of the Caribbean” has a unique connection to Ireland: settled by Irish Catholic refugees from British colonies, Montserrat celebrates St. Patrick’s Day every year! (See website for more history.) Their St. Patrick’s Festival features Irish bands, but also West African music—a crucial aspect, as local woman Flo explained to me: “Love for Ireland is good, but we no white people, we black people. We become what we are told: white is good.” Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory, and Irish and African music allow for creative expression against English influence. Flo said, “You’re not gonna hear much more than a little [clap clap clap] cause that’s how the English behave. But it doesn’t come naturally to us! The Irish are more rowdy—robust, you know?” I do know. Irish reels are rousing and spicy! So are African rhythms! Last year’s West African troupe had festival crowds dancing ecstatically; the drummers gave a workshop to schoolchildren whose faces lit up once they got their hands on the djembes. Locals lament that arts are suffering due to poor government funding. While visiting in March 2013, I brainstormed an idea to offer “rhythm” workshops starting in January, before the 2014 St. Patrick’s Festival. I will teach Irish dance, and Senegalese drummer Dominique Mbaye will teach djembe. I am partnered with Montserrat’s Ministry of Culture, Tourist Board, and local music teachers. The workshops will be free and open to all, targeting the island’s youth. The experience will allow them to explore aspects of their heritage through shared rhythms. As the island’s Prem. Reuben Meade told me over dinner, “We must not see ourselves as Irish or Africans or Caribbeans [but as] people of the world, irrespective of our culture, and we will come together.” We have the feet; now we just need the drums!

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Dark Matter

2014-02-04T00:00:00Z

This project is a series of combined, sculptural objects modeled in Maya and 3D printed to form humorous juxtapositions. The objects chosen for this series are the objects/things that are forbidden or un-welcome in Iran by the government. Objects that in many other countries people use or own freely but under Iranian government laws (for several reasons) are forbidden or discouraged to use. Owning some of these objects means going to jail, or getting a fine, or constantly being under the risk of getting arrested or bothered by the moral police. Using 3D printing technology, the act of printing itself serves as an important aspect of the project. By printing and bringing the virtual 3D into physical existence, I want to simultaneously resist and bring awareness about the power that constantly threatens, discourages, and actively works against the ownership of these objects/things. No matter how functional, through 3D printing, I am able to re-create and archive a collection of forbidden objects. In a way, the objects serve as the documentation of lives lived under oppressions and dictatorship. The documentation of a history full of red lines drawn in the most private aspect of one’s life; the most ordinary things. In addition, combining and printing these objects create a re-presentation of my own personal memory of life in Iran. Memory itself is re-collection, re-presentation, and re-arrangement of events. Both the memory sculpture notion of the piece and the printing aspect of it consolidate to resist forgetting.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Angel Heart Pajama Project

2014-02-04T00:00:00Z

Angel Heart Pajama Project is the vision of my 84 year old mother,my sister and myself as founders. During our early years of adjusting to a new language and culture, mom always found money or the means to purchase new pajamas and books. The tradition was something we looked forward to during holidays and special celebrations. Mom has continued the tradition with granddaughters, grandchildren, and now with a new great granddaughter. My sister and I recognized that this tradition provide us with the stability and a love for reading. Through our profession we recognize that Arizona has a record number of children in state custody(14,000). These children often go to foster-care in just the clothes they are wearing, and many of these children have seldom enjoyed the security, love and feeling that someone cares about them. Angel Heart Pajama Project's main program activity will be to distribute new pajamas and books to enrich the lives of children in need. The children that we will serve primarily come from foster care, shelters and homeless. By providing free pajamas and books we will be able to bring comfort and love like a warm hug at bed time. Parents all over the world know that there is a special bonding that happens at bedtime. We hope to bring this joy and also encourage the joy of reading. The Angel Heart Pajama Project will make an impact on the children's lives and will leave a legacy for generations to come. Angel Heart Pajama Project knows that pajamas and books are needed for the children all year long. Our project's mission is a year long project. We have currently approached to service 90 children from just one agency A Place Call Home. We know your support will help us meet the needs of many more children.

New Orleans, LA (Non-active) – Spirit of the Orisha: Voices of the Diaspora

2014-02-04T00:00:00Z

We have completed a 2 disc CD entitled "Spirit of the Orisha: Voices of the Diaspora”. This CD set will accompany a book that we have written as a teaching tool for the global community on the sacred music of the Yoruba people of Nigeria, West Africa. This book and CD provides the missing link in our cultural preservation of sacred African music. This body of work has global and historical significance in that it has not only never been done before, but it is centered in New Orleans, a leader in the US in preserving African religious and cultural traditions, particularly through the work of Congo Square. The work is a journey into Zion Trinity's unique style of blending music with Spirit and history. The book will translate and explain the meaning of songs as well as the symbols they contain, including explanations about the Orishas and their attributes. Containing all original artwork, this project will serve as a workbook for a community workshops and trainings. For the past 15 years, we have used these songs to help youth work through emotional and social stress and trauma to gain empowerment over their lives. The project also has songs that aid in rites of passage, such as birthing, funerals and burials.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – SPINALpedia

2014-02-03T00:00:00Z

When my dad was first paralyzed, we had no idea what to expect or what our lives were going to be like. Thankfully, my dad and step-mom were able to benefit from the advice of others in their situation and adapt. Now my dad lives an independent life despite not moving 75% of his body. Unfortunately, many of the 1 in 50 Americans living with paralysis (statistic from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation) live unaware of their potential to live a fulfilling life with a disability. SPINALpedia.com is a user-generated, how-to video network for people with paralysis and their families to adapt their lives. Users register for an account and specify tags that indicate their relationship to paralysis (person paralyzed, spouse, parent etc.) and the degree of paralysis to help find the most relevant information to adapt their lives. From driving to skydiving, from getting dressed to traveling, all content is organized in categories to help users find what they're looking for and expose them to possibilities they never considered! In this way, whether you are a paraplegic, or a wife of a quadriplegic, you can find the information you need. We erase geographic barriers, allowing people far away from support groups or programs to still benefit from the support of others in their situation. As one of our users from Germany once said, "I'm living in a small town and so I haven't so much contact to other paraplegic people. With your help I have an alternative." We currently have over 1,000 members and over 3,000 videos, and we're working hard to expand worldwide to help all people with paralysis and their families adapt their lives. People like quadriplegic kindergarten teachers and paraplegic skiiers are often seen as anomalies, but with a successful SPINALpedia, we will have more people empowered to adapt their lives and re-enter society as active citizens. In this way, we will slowly break down negative societal perceptions of disability.

Liverpool – Reclaim Electronics

2014-02-03T00:00:00Z

My project has a very simple aim, but the back story to it is rather complex, so I guess the appropriate place to start would be the logical beginning. I bought a Model B Raspberry Pi. I was ecstatic seeing it coming through mailbox, tearing off the packaging, and before you could say 3.14159 it was already plugged in and booting. But I was left in quite an awkward position when I found myself with nothing to do with it. But, after joining the Studio, that changed instantly. I suddenly had immediate access to everything I could ever dream of tech wise, one thing to note in particular, a 3D Printer. I then, somehow through a flash of micro-brilliance came to the conclusion that it was my life goal to create a Portable Handheld game console using the Raspberry Pi, a 3D printer, and my own, faulty electronic skills. Through forums and tutorials online, this knowledge grew so grand that I now had a firm idea of how I was going to do things, what I needed, how to get it, and how to assemble it. With the support of like-minded individuals, I planned out in just days how I was going to build my project. But then, another almost blinding light of microbrilliance shot into my head, rewiring my neurones to form a new goal. Allowing anyone, anywhere to do the same thing that I have done, from the comfort of their armchair. Why not, with almost infinite resources in the palm of my hand, allow anyone to come to me with an idea, and how it can be done, I see how feasible it is, and create their bespoke order, working with them through social networking. This would allow anybody anywhere with no experience on anything to come to me with the same microbrilliance I had, and have their dream put into motion, for barely any cost, if any at all. For any kids, who want to join the tech community, like I did, but have no equipment, can simply contact my group, and have their dream materialise, with them leading the process. The ideas trapped in the minds of people can be astounding.

LA South Bay, CA (Non-active) – Saving Youth Sports

2014-02-03T00:00:00Z

Psycho coaches… nightmare parents… cheating… screaming…bribing Ah, the joys of youth sports! Sports have the potential to enhance the lives of our children, yet somewhere along the way things have gone a little warped and we’re just as likely (if not more so) to turn out ego-driven athletes, desperate for attention and acclaim, who will do anything to win, as we are to turn out amazing human beings. If we want young people to reach their potential, both as athletes and as people, it’s NOT going to be through yelling, screaming, threats, bribes and punishments. It’s NOT going to be because they are scared to lose (because they only feel worthy if they win). It IS going to be because they feel empowered and internally driven to shine and get the best out of themselves. It will be because they have learned to and were trusted to make decisions. It will be because they were taught to pay attention to their feelings and how to manage them, so they can get themselves into “the zone”. It will be because it’s FUN!!! Youth sports need a makeover and I want to do it! I’ll do this by conducting workshops for coaches and parents of athletes, teaching them tools (effective communication, motivation without the use of punishments and rewards, creating a mastery environment, how to stay calm and connected) so they can help young people thrive. I’d love to also provide an online resource to spread this worldwide. In my ideal world, I’d get this philosophy into every organization involved with young people and sports- into clubs, volunteer rec leagues, classes, and camps. I want youth sports to be fun again- for everyone!

Chicago, IL – Multi-generational Community Engagement Screening

2014-02-02T00:00:00Z

I am leading my students analyze the practice, business, and curation of independent film through a free screening of the critically acclaimed independent feature An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (2013). The screening will take place in Chicago's underserved Woodlawn neighborhood. Seniors, high school students and young professionals are the intended audience. Documenting the entire process will illustrate the impact art and multi-generational engagement. I am excited at the possibilities of this innovative art program. Redefine the traditional approach to the film screening, video art and communal dining will cultivating a space for multi-generational community engagement. Prior to the screening, student produced video art inspired by the film's universal central themes of lust and love will engage patrons during dining. After the screening the Filmmaker has expressed the desire to discuss his work. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to view the film at a festival, and I have been excited to share the experience. Elvis Mittchell, the host-producer KCRW radio program The Treatment interviewed the filmmaker Terence Nance stated “Things that I think is still, trap for black cinema you like independent cinema is it has to be on some well aspirational and this film is not in any and any conventional way.” An Oversimplification of Her Beauty (2013) is a highly creative, modern, intelligent and deeply vulnerable romantic comedy. The filmmaker approaches his perspective of love and lust with multimedia collages, and copious subtitles and inter-titles. Many films that detour from traditional cinematic structure rarely get the exposure they deserve and are considered unapproachable. The universal themes will prompt a lively multi-generational discourse and engagement. Student curation will further students with real-world experience and build an authentic perspective of independent film exhibition and community engagement.

Ann Arbor, MI – First Fridays Ypsilanti

2014-02-02T00:00:00Z

The FFY Committee is comprised of Kayj Michelle as President, Elize Jekabson as Vice President, Alex Mandrila as Secretary and Katie Hale as Treasurer. Bona Sera pioneered the First Fridays brand in Ypsilanti with their artshows. Now current FFY venues are Bona Sera, Beezy's Cafe, Ugly Mug Cafe & Roastery, B-24's Espresso Bar, and FLY Children's Art Center. We want to build a network of Ypsi businesses (Downtown & Depot Town) showcasing local artists and performers. This will create a positive buzz to surrounding areas and encourage people to join in the monthly Art Crawls. With our growth in FFY venues, we will expand from Downtown into Depot Town. We are currently building partnerships with Riverside Arts Center (who have the gateway to Depot Town!), Ypsilanti Art Incubator (currently curating the Riverside Off-Center Gallery), Teresa Gillotti (City Planner/Ypsi), DAY & DDA(via Barb at Bona Sera) , and more. We also have received interested form several Depot Town Merchants. FFY has a mission to unite the Downtown & Depot Town areas with this monthly Art Crawl. Gillotti is interested in facilitating between the City and FFY to use vacant commercial space to host pop-up markets during the FFY Art Crawls! This is currently being brainstormed about as we continue to develop the FFY program. Everyone in the FFY Committee are volunteers and need help funding the development of the FFY program. Once spring hits FFY will be ready to welcome a debut Art Crawl which will hopefully include art installations/performances in the street between spread out venues, the pop-up market, clear skies. We will implement a system for collecting funds to sustain cohesive marketing for all participating venues.

Dubai (Non-active) – Mokha Origin

2014-01-31T00:00:00Z

We are going full speed preparing for Demo Day of the Harvard President's Challenge. This is our shot at a $100,000 prize purse. Our goal is to have a national product and be on track to see Yemen's coffee sector double in size in ten years. Accomplishing this means job opportunities supporting 650,000 people in Yemen. To achieve this we additionally need to hone our marketing and create a product design that we can use for a national product. We have fortunately found a team of three designers from the Harvard School of Design who are doing this work for free. But once they are done, we need to custom print small runs of coffee bags and marketing material. As part of that, one of our most pressing need and where we would spend AF grant of $1000 would be getting our coffee on the shelves of Whole Foods, a premium grocery store in the US. Doing so demonstrates the viability of our business.

Austin, TX – Elementary Science Discovery

2014-01-31T00:00:00Z

Amy Quartaro, a homeschooled high school senior, is creating a "Science Discovery" group for elementary school Austin area homeschoolers. Amy is the captain of her robotics team, vice president of the Austin Area Homeschool science team, and a former intern at UT's Center for Space Research. Elementary School Discovery will include hands-on projects, educational videos, games and guest speakers. This group of students will meet for two hours once a month that to explore a variety of scientific disciplines. "I hope to instill in these young students a passion for STEM and to create a more positive image of the term nerd," said Quartaro. The annual Science Discovery Day will also be organized through the Austin Area Homeschoolers science team in conjunction with Techshop, a community-based workshop and prototyping studio on a mission to democratize access to the tools of innovation. This event will take place in January 2014. Quartaro is planning on using her grant towards securing space for both the monthly group meetings, to purchase materials for the group to do experiments and for Science Discover Day.

Pittsburgh, PA – An Orchard for Isaac

2014-01-31T00:00:00Z

We dream of planting a bountiful fruit orchard of apple, pear, and peach trees in honor of Isaac, who inspired me to create Hope Haven. Sadly, Isaac passed away in July after only two happy months on the farm. Isaac loved apples and the Orchard will honor him and ensure that his story continues to help educate people. There are so many benefits to growing an orchard at Hope Haven! Most importantly it will provide nutritious fruit and enjoyment for our deserving animals. With 80+ animals here at the farm we constantly battle feed costs and an orchard will significantly lower those bills for years to come! In addition, the trees will be planted near our duck pond and will act as protective cover to the more than 30 ducks and geese that enjoy the water. Although our farm is fenced to defend against four-footed predators, hawks and owl are still a threat from the air. The fruit trees' branches will shield our residents from those dangers. The orchard will contain 12 hearty trees and maintenance will be performed via a natural walking path. What a visual improvement from the barren area it is now to a blossoming orchard! Our informative farm tours currently educate young and old about farm animal welfare and teach them about where their food comes from. We can expand our tours out of the barns and into the orchard to inform people about healthy diets, gardening, and outdoor activities. Isaac's Orchard would enable us to entertain new groups and organizations. We could invite youth groups to help us maintain the trees and gardening groups to learn the benefits of backyard gardening and permaculture. These groups would also learn our mission of cruelty-free living and compassion toward all animals. We are excited about this opportunity to strengthen our non-profit Sanctuary, nourish our deserving animals, and educate and enlighten Pittsburghers. We would be honored to be the first animal-oriented project funded by AWESOME Pgh and we would make you proud!

Vancouver, BC (Non-active) – Vancouver Design Nerds – 'Mobile Town Hall' (MoTH)

2014-01-30T00:00:00Z

VDNS and Gen Why Media (GWM) have recently teamed-up to create the 'Civic Renewal Lab' (CRL), a community hub centred on civic engagement that connects the creative community to non-profits, businesses, government and communities to discuss civic issues, identify shared interests and collaborate on citizen-centred solutions to public challenges. As an alternative to traditional civic engagement processes, the goal of the CRL is to shift citizens from being consumers to active shapers of policies, programs, public space and civic services. The CRL’s goal advances the mission of the VDNS by attempting to lower the barriers-to-entry that currently keep certain publics and populations from engaging in the politics and culture of their city. Our collective goal is to create and operate an innovative engagement space known as the 'Mobile Town Hall' or MoTH, that will move throughout the city to enhance community assets by acting as a Cross-fertilization incubator and a Multi-tenant co-location & performance space. Using various Jam formats, MoTH, which will be hosted by the CRL, will host a series of dialogues, workshops, public planning and design+build sessions that foster citizen engagement, identify areas of community concern, and provide solutions for those concerns. The four themes we shall address align with the Vancouver's Mayors Engaged City Task Force's Final Report: 1. Building Trust, 2. Building Capacity, 3. Building Knowledge, and 4. Building Power. Design, Development and Operation of MoTH would take place in three parts over a two-year period, with 1. Jan–June 2014 acting as the Design-phase, 2. July–Dec 2014 acting as the Development/Buildphase and 3. Jan–Dec 2015 as the Operation/Hosting phase.

Orlando, FL – Fish Chairs

2014-01-29T00:00:00Z

Nairobi (Non-active) – Dandora Green Mtaas: urban space revitalisation

2014-01-29T00:00:00Z

Dandora is a neighborhood on the east side of Nairobi known for its dirt, dust dilapidation and crime. Mustard Seeds is slowly changing that and has begun to revitalise its community "courts" (small plots of barren land) by clearing them of debris, improving drainage, landscaping and planting, and involving the local community in its maintenance and improvement. With Awesome Foundation support, the group will create the first revitalised, green space in Dandora, to serve as a model of many to come. "We are changing the perception of our abandoned community spaces by transforming our courts, which have been turned into dumping places, into a clean and rehabilitated community spaces, by creating landscaped gardens, with the participation of neighbourhood youth, children, and the community. Our intention is to safeguard our environment, while empowering local youth through environmental and entrepreneurial activities in the society." This includes re-digging the old drainage system buried underneath the ground decades earlier, which significantly improves the flow of rainwater and waste. It also includes tree planting, grass landscaping, flowering and gardening. So far, to clear the land, the group has used its own labour and sourced materials little by little, making good progress and creating a strong foundation with no external financial support. The pilot court space currently has several trees and a grass patch, as well as a functioning drainage system. These efforts are creating the only such community-protected, safe, green spaces in a large and isolated neighbourhood that borders a dumpsite, is littered by waste itself, and is crime-ridden where youth normally have few opportunities & little vision beyond what's immediately in front of them. Long term, the group hopes to make these spaces self-sufficient, developing ways within the estate to generate income from hiring the space for events & weddings, as well as to create as many jobs as possible through organized income-generating activities in the estate, while helping youth members find ways to develop themselves further.

London, ON (Non-active) – Try Poetry School Slam

2014-01-28T00:00:00Z

I have shared my poetry in classroom workshops & at school assemblies in several school boards & have seen first-hand the impact spoken word can have on youth. Spoken word is an accessible & inspiring art form that allows young people to find their voices & share their personal stories, while empowering them to work through their struggles, speak out on important topics, & create positive change in their lives & communities. While my workshops & assembly addresses do well to introduce students to the art of spoken word, I am only able to vaguely describe to them the atmosphere of an actual poetry slam & the incredible energy & enthusiasm created when a group of people come together to speak & share. The London Poetry Slam, though all ages, is nearly impossible for teachers to organize field trips to, as it is held on Friday nights. I would like to create a day-time slam event that schools/teachers could come to, introducing more students to spoken word & to the poetry slam environment, & encouraging them to get excited about poetry, to interact with poets, & to write & perform themselves. The event will be either a half day (slam + Q & A), or full day (slam, Q & A, writing workshops, student open mic) event, depending on interest/funding. The slam will feature diverse poets & content (content will be regulated to ensure appropriateness for students) & will reflect the energy, enthusiasm & accepting environment of a real slam. As a slam poet & Director of the London slam, having worked in schools & with the school board in different capacities, & with interest in this idea already from several teachers, I am confident I can produce a quality, successful event that will share the art form that I love with more London youth, & encourage more young people to write, perform, get involved in slam, & generally speak up & find their voices. Slams encourage creativity, empathy, & enthusiusm for art/language, and a slam accessible to schools would surely have great impact.

Philadelphia, PA – Turn House into Home, The "Senior" Prom Project

2014-01-28T00:00:00Z

After going on a week-long, summer service immersion trip called JusticeWorx the summer after sophomore year, I was inspired to help the homeless. My peers were helping a woman move from a transitional housing shelter into a house of her own when they observed the bare, unwelcoming, white walls of the house. They wanted to help the woman, but did not know how. In response, I founded Turn House into Home on August 10, 2012. Turn House into Home collects student-made artwork from local schools and donate it to homeless and transitional housing shelters. Turn House into Home has worked with five high schools and three shelters, donating over 160 pieces of artwork. The artwork is given to residents of local shelters, who then take the artwork with them when they move out of the shelter and into a more permanent housing situation. This art provides the residents with a special gift to make their house feel more like a home. With the artwork, Turn House into Home offers residents with more than just decorations; it provides them with hope and a sense of community support. Turn House into Home has touched the lives of many individuals whose spiritual needs are often neglected by society. I also support another group of people whose spiritual needs are often neglected by society, the elderly. I founded the charity The "Senior" Prom Project on April 21, 2013 after visiting my grandmother’s nursing home. My grandmother wanted to see my prom dress so I modeled it for my grandparents. Later, I received a call from my grandmother, asking me to bring a group of my friends to model dresses for the nursing home residents. The “Senior” Prom Project now organizes fashion shows at nursing homes to spread joy to the elderly and create an inter-generational bond between the student "models" and the residents of the nursing homes.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Volunteer Handymen for Poor & Vulnerable Families

2014-01-27T00:00:00Z

In the experience of the Foundation, vulnerable and poor young single parents lack the means to pay a handyman for basic repairs. Similarly for households where the father suffers from chronic mental illness. Such families also lack the means to buy equipment and materials for such repair work. Because of this, their houses become run down, drab and dreary environments which negatively impact the mental health of family members. We have recruited retired men having their own tools and transport already having skills for basic home repair chores. They are trained and mentored and supported for such work. We have developed a Code of Practice for them since this work is of a sensitive nature and the volunteers need to be highly aware of maintaining boundaries. This service grew out of a keenly felt need by Foundation Social Workers. Since one of the strategic objectives of the Foundation is to identify gaps in social support service provision and to respond to such needs, the Foundation tries to fill the gap through this project. In 2012 the three Volunteer Handymen in the project have completed a total of 581 hours of service; 390 hours of which in the homes of vulnerable families. 77 individuals from 23 familes benefited. Without this service, the homes of these 23 families would have remained highly disorganised. A total of 62 visits to these families were undertaken. Apart from the work described above, the Volunteer Handymen carried out the following work: (1) pick up of used furniture from families wishing to donate such furniture to vulnerable families and (b) delivery of donated used furniture to vulnerable families. In one year, the volunteer handymen undertook 41 such transportation and delivery visits, using the van of one of the volunteers, with fuel re-imbursement by the Foundation. We are looking for more volunteers to meet the demand and funds to cover materials and very basic equipment.

Miami, FL – Fresh Green Change

2014-01-24T00:00:00Z

The thought and care behind this project was meticulous. How could you implement such a complex subject into its simplest form? Simple: straight to the point. All the juicy stuff is for the parents to know. The fun stuff is for the kids- they'll love it. We plan on educating children in elementary schools on what they're eating, where it comes from, its value, and how it grows. We're going to teach them how to plant their own vegetable and fruit gardens- right at their school alongside teachers and parents. Our main goal is summed up in one sentence: Being healthy while keeping our planet healthy. We're going to bypass all the pesticides used in commercial agriculture because we're growing our own plants and taking care of them ourselves every day. Kids will see the process and will have fun in planting and harvesting these plants in order to take home once they've grown and enjoy the taste of natural fruits and veggies. This is going to be a hands-on project- excellent for their curious minds. Sunset Park Elementary has graciously allowed us to begin this project with their students! So, beginning this January 2014, we're going to have PowerPoints and activities ready for presenting the idea to the kids. We'll be teaching them what a plant is, how it grows, how to plant and water it. We'll teach them about the soil and how that's the plant's food. They'll have fun with this and get to do crossword puzzles and coloring activities in order to prepare them for the "Harvest Season." As soon as we start The Harvest Season, we'll be planting (this year) blueberries, carrots, celery, spinach, peas, raspberries, zucchini, and strawberries. but prior to that, we will build the beds and create an irrigation system for the beds in order to avoid the messy process of watering them every day and also to prevent plant dehydration during the weekends. Parent nights going to be planned so that they will know about what the program is teaching their kids.

San Antonio, TX – Face Off Against Kids Cancer

2014-01-24T00:00:00Z

Our foundation has teamed up with the San Antonio Rampage Hockey team's Face Off Against Kids Cancer Program. The team initiated a special program last season titled “Face-Off Against Kids Cancer” that pairs Rampage players with children from the Centers for Oncology and Blood Disorders at Children's Hospital of San Antonio, who are currently in either early stages of treatment for pediatric cancer or in remission. Through a series of social events that included a pizza and board game party at the hospital, an ice cream social after a Rampage game, a visit to SeaWorld and the San Antonio Rodeo, the program helped Rampage players forge lasting relationships with their respective buddies over the course of last season and hope to perpetuate those bonds this season. We are the sponsor of the 2013-2014 program.

Miami, FL – When I Grow Up

2014-01-23T00:00:00Z

Our Professor showed us a video of a TED talk that featured Candy Chang and her idea of a "Before I Die" chalkboard wall. She created this wall in and abandoned building in New Orleans in order for people to share their ideas and thoughts. Surprisingly, the wall filled up in one day. Inspired by her project, my classmates and I have decided, with permission granted from the school principal, to create a chalk-board wall in the elementary school stating "When I Grow Up I Want to..." The purpose of our project is to motivate children into thinking of their futures and allowing them to set goals for themselves. The Sweetwater community mostly consists of low-income hispanic community. Most of the parents are not involved in their children's education due to having multiple jobs. Many of the parents do not have any college degrees and this has not allowed the children to know of all of the endless career choices there are. By creating this fun wall, the children will not only begin thinking of their futures but it will also serve as a fun motivator in the school. If the environment of the school is fun and attractive to the children, they will become more motivated to do better in their studies. We want to create something inspirational, fun, motivating, and mind-opening for the children and this chalk-board wall is something that has proven to work. Aside from the wall, we would also like to create a garden at the entrance of the school. The reason for this is to give an appealing environment for the students, teachers, and families. The better the teachers and student feel about their environment, the better each one will perform.

Kingston – KMS Outreach Workshop Kit

2014-01-23T00:00:00Z

KMS has been asked to participate in outreach activities, sharing knowledge and skills throughout the community. At the FL&A Science Fair (http://www.flasf.on.ca) we've been asked to run workshops for Grade 5/6 students, a similar request has come from Science Rendezvous (http://www.sciencerendezvous.ca). We would love to be able to participate, to share our love of science and technology with other Kingstonians. However, we need to provide our volunteers with a Workshop Kit full of fun science & techy things which will help engage their audience, and give the audience hands on opportunities for participation. We're used to sharing individual items in the Maker Space, but running a Workshop for 30 plus students requires having many multiples of the same thing, that becomes cost prohibitive for our non-profit volunteer driven organization.

Boulder, CO (Non-active) – Display Cases for Metal Arts

2014-01-21T00:00:00Z

We want to display metal art to the public in Boulder but are limited by the lack of display cases in local art venues. We want to surprise and delight the art-going public in Boulder by offering a familiar medium with a new meaning: stunning metalwork and art jewelry created by hand, by local artists. There’s only one catch; we’re physically unable to exhibit our art work. Two of the notable art venues in Boulder, The Dairy Art Center and Chatauqua don’t have display cases and as a result, won’t exhibit small-scale metalwork.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Take a seat, Make a Friend

2014-01-20T00:00:00Z

Serve the City Belgium's 10th anniversary is next year and culminates in the 10th annual Big Volunteer Week in July 2014, when hundreds of volunteers come from all over the world to improve our city via people-to-people community service projects throughout Brussels. It takes a lot of work to get local residents - especially Belgians, who tend to be more reserved - interested and comfortable enough to help out on a team with people they don't know. I'd love to re-create Soul Pancake's "take a seat, make a friend" idea at different locations throughout Brussels this year to build community, inspire friendships, raise awareness, and get people involved in Serve the City projects by the time Big Volunteer Week rolls around next summer. "Take a seat, make a friend" involves turning a large wooden crate into a ball pit with questions written on all of the balls. There is enough room for 2 people at a time to sit in the crate and talk to each other at a time. You can watch how it played out for Soul Pancake here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHV4-N2LxQ#t=66. I'd like to do this, as well as a similar project with thermos of hot chocolate, plastic cups, and paper slips with questions for the more shy people in the community to get to know each other, too. The ball pit would be moved to different locations around the city one day per month to build community and raise awareness for Serve the City's Big Volunteer Week amongst potential volunteers. The similar hot chocolate idea will be employed weekly on a smaller scale in our Saint Catherine neighborhood, where it will seek to build community and raise awareness more amongst the people we serve and who may not have shelter or other forms of warmth against the cold.

LA South Bay, CA (Non-active) – Little Free Library for DaVinci Innovation Academy

2014-01-17T00:00:00Z

One day I went on a walk with my Mom and we went across the street. Suddenly, we came to this house and I saw a little box standing in front of the house. There were books in the box. We found out it was a Little Free Library. You could keep the books, bring them back whenever you want or give it to a friend. Or you can put other books of your own in the Little Free Library. A Little Free Library I want to use it at our school. I want to have books so we can share the books. A Little Free Library is a library that it could help you learn to read. And I really like to give it to friends and I like reading new books. Thank you for thinking about our community and to help the country learn to read.

Seattle, WA – Trans Love, An honest guide for parents

2014-01-17T00:00:00Z

As a trans* person I see an utter lack of resources that are directed at parents that feel useful and respect a complicated trans* experience. For most things today we just recommend that if you want to know something- you should just do an internet search. This can be a disaster when it comes to your parents trying to access information that is not reflective of your experience, simplifies trans* identity and maybe even gives inaccurate facts. I have crafted a draft of a guide for parents that's written by a trans* person. I am going to gather feedback from my community and from parents of trans* folks. I am writing an honest, vulnerable and direct guide that will address common issues that come up in ways that don't pathologize trans* people and holds compassion for both parents and their offspring. I will do my best to make sure this guide is simple but accessible to all different kinds of families and communities of color. What will be brought up in the guide will shift the focus from trans* people being the problem and talk about how transphobia and other oppressions affect our community. We will also address real solutions to work on within relationships. This guide will be available at no cost online as a PDF, available for order via a printed booklet for very little money and we will create empowering posters as well. I believe artistic design is hugely important to how something is received. Our guide will have graphic design and illustration that will reflect its creativity, passion and vulnerability. It will also look professional and be appropriate for personal relationships as well as medical or counseling environments. My activist colleague, Rae Senarighi has offered their graphic design services at a highly discounted rate. You can see their work here: http://raesenarighi.com/ and they also did the final graphic design of Meet Polka Dot- the first book in a series for gender variant children: http://dangerdot.com/faq-the-polkadot-series/

Oahu, HI – Thrift Store: The Musical

2014-01-17T00:00:00Z

Our initial submission has all of the project details. Here are some of the characters appearing in the show: SALLY SWANSON, middle-aged, ambitious thrift store manager. She's lost it all in the "great recession" and needs to get back on her feet. Down but not out, this may be her last chance. FATHER PAUL, older gentleman, kind, thoughtful, wise, has a twinkle in his eye. He's got a flock to take care of and he's way too creative to follow the strict doctrine of the church. RHONDA, the psychic hair-dresser who comes to volunteer at the thrift store. Heartbroken and desperate for love, she's middle-aged, flamboyant and overly-dramatic but playful enough to see her own foibles. CLAIRE: A young (teenage) homeless girl who lives in the park just outside the doors of the thrift store. She deserves a better life and is offered a chance to work at the store. FRANCESCO ANTONIO PADOVA, an Italian clothing designer, a distinguished gentleman, suave and debonair. He has a eye for fashion and for the ladies -- and he wants both. BRENDA BATTLEAXE, Sally's nemesis and former business partner. She's nasty, pushy and boisterous and she means business. She's about to open a competitive big box thrift outlet right across the street. FIFI LA FONG, THE FASHIONISTA: a young, stylish, cyber chic, attached to her cell phone and to her identity as one of Honolulu's top fashion bloggers. Where ever Fifi goes she is sure to cause a stir. HENRY, neurotic, quirky and outrageous, he's a hoarder who tries to donate his things. His family has done an intervention and he’s in recovery, but his shopping addiction continues. SUSTAINABLE SAM, a young, non-GMO, organic environmentalist and activist. Dedicated to the cause. Reuses and recycles everything, a fix it man with a plan. EVE, Bohemian artist, alternative, Generation Y, about mid-twenties. She’s looking for her Burning Man costume and is a street performer.

Detroit, MI (Non-active) – Better Detroit Youth Movement Marketing/Media Team

2014-01-16T00:00:00Z

The Better Detroit Youth Movement is a non-profit coalition of positive-minded individuals and groups who are committed to working together with communities, parents, schools and students to improve the quality of life and learning for our city's children. One of our primary goals will be to improve communication among Detroit’s youth service providers by developing a database that will help enhance delivery of services, and serve as the basis for production of a resource guide to provide comprehensive services and solutions for Detroit youth. Citizen volunteerism, and youth engagement and participation are key components of the BDYM. We believe by fostering higher levels of communication, cooperation and collaboration among our citizens and communities, while seeking out areas where we can better work together, we will achieve greater success with and for our young generation.

Detroit, MI (Non-active) – Enhancing Drawing Detroit

2014-01-16T00:00:00Z

Having a successful launch, Drawing Detroit would like to take the blog to the next level. We would like to become the go-to site for Detroit data and discussion. In order to do that we would like to improve the skill-set of the Drawing Detroit staff. The current staff includes one part-time student, who is also a journalist, and contributions from Center staff, including GIS (mapping) analysts and masters and doctoral-level researchers. While a great deal of capacity exists within the staff, this grant would allow us to improve our site by allowing us to get graphic-design training for our staff, allowing us to improve the creativity and appearance of our graphics and thus our audience interest and engagement.

Tel Aviv - קרן בקטנה (Non-active) – System Ali House

2014-01-15T00:00:00Z

This project will fund the first professional Ethiopian hip-hop group in Israel to record their first album. They will be mentored by the now famous Arab-Russian-Jewish hip-hop outfit, System Ali. We love them because... well - just check out the link to a clip below and you will see why :)

New York City, NY – We Radiate

2014-01-15T00:00:00Z

We Radiate is exploring the feasibility of mobile and strategically placed compost units which allow for the transfer of heat energy created through the decomposition and breakdown of food scraps. Heat generated from compost units creates temperatures exceeding 120°F. Our goal is to maximize energy output of small-scale compost units for use in public spaces (eg. bus-stops). And since New York City landfills over 1 million tons of organic material annually, this possibility can create vast (renewable) energy outputs. There are 2 objectives: a) Design innovative, small-unit compost units which optimize heat generation; b) Maximize heat transfer from compost unit to external devices, for consumption in public spaces (bus-stops or to melt ice) We Radiate is conducting multiple experiments to research the most effective methods to create heat energy by small scale compost stations. To reach elevated temperatures of 120°F, compost units must exceed a volume of 1 cubic meter, which is larger than ideal for an urban environment. To make this a plausible city-wide initiative it is necessary to minimize compost unit size. Initial trials have been successful with temperatures exceeding 100°F on a small-scale. This achievement has prompted a continuation in volume reduction - from 2/3rd of the original size down to 1/4th. A prototype is currently being developed for placement underneath a bus-stop bench. This ecologically sound idea would bring forth heated benches at bus stops throughout the wintertime without additional financial resources; this will also offer an educational duality for participation in compost initiatives. We Radiate is looking to expand these design models across the city to encourage awareness and partnerships. We Radiate meets the challenges of two urgent concerns: solid waste management and energy. Our vision enables communities to create, maintain, and possess their own energy generating locally from compost.

Ottawa – Twice Upon a Time

2014-01-15T00:00:00Z

January’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Alexandra Yarrow, to support Twice Upon a Time, a project to provide books to children from families in need. “The pride children experience from owning books further promotes lifelong learning,” explains Alexandra. “We will provide free or gently-used books to children initially through a pop-up shop in Heartwood House's lobby, and later from an independent storefront on-site.” “We envision Twice Upon a Time as a complement to excellent public library service. Many families bring their children to the library, but many do not, because they are afraid of potential fines or costs for lost material, or other perceived or real barriers. And even if families visit the library, studies have shown that children do better in school when there are books at home.” “Our project is inspired by the Children's Book Bank, a charity operating in Toronto’s Regent Park since 2008,” Alexandra explains. She and her team of dedicated volunteers will collect the books through donation bins and community-based book drives. To learn more or to get involved, visit http://ottawachildrensfreebookproject.wordpress.com/. Alexandra is an acting manager at the Ottawa Public Library.

Yerevan – արհեստանոց

2014-01-15T00:00:00Z

2013 դեկտեմբերին ՕՍԸՄ հիմնադրամի ամենամսյա մրցույթի հաղթող է ճանաչվել ԱՐՀԵՍՏԱՆՈՑ նախագիծը: Հիմնադրամի միջոցներից տրամադրված գումարը կոգտագործվի երեխաների խեցեգործական արհեստանոցի համար թրծման վառարան գնելու նպատակով: Ծրագրի մասին հավելյալ տեղեկություներ կարող եք կարդալ ստորև: Սահմանափակ հնարավորություններ ունեցող երեխաների զբաղվածությունը մեր երկրում այսօր թերի է կազմակերպված: Ճիշտ է, մեզանում կազմակերպվում են ամառային և ձմեռային ճամբարներ, որտեղ երեխաները սովորում են կանգնել դահուկների վրա, յուրացնում առագաստանավային սկզբունքները, սակայն գարնանը և աշնանը նրանց ժամանցի և զբաղվածության խնդիրնեըը շարունակում են մնալ չլուծված: Մենք կազմակերպեցինք մի արհեստանոց, որտեղ ես երեխաներին սովորեցնում եմ նկարել, կավից պատրաստել տարբեր առարկաներ, յուրացնել դիզայնի հիմունքները: Ցավոգ կեռամիկայից պատրաստած իրերը մենք ստիպված ենք թրծել այլ տեղում ստիպված ենք երկար սպասել մեր հերթին հասնելուն և կարողանում ենք թրծել արտադրանքի սահմանափակ քանակությունը: Հայտնի է, որ կավի հետ աշխատանքը ունի բուժական հատկություններ և անհրաժեշտ է սահմանափակ հնարավորութուններ ունեցող երախաների որոշ խմբերի համար անհրաժեշտ է՝ շարժումների կարգավորման, ուշադրության կենտրոնացման համար և այլն: Բացի վերը նաշվածից այդ գործունեությունը կարող է ունենալ նաև կոմերցիոն բնույթ: Արկա են նախնական պայմանաորվանությաններ որոշ կազմակերպությունների և բանկերի հետ երեխաների ձեռքերով պարրաստած իրերի գնման մասին՝ տոնական և անվանական նվերներ, հուշանոերներ: Ինչ խոսք, ստացված միջոցները լուրջ խթան են հանդիսանալու երեխաների համար: Հիշեցնենք, որ ՕՍԸՄ հիմնադրամը դիմումներ է ընդունում մինչև յուրաքանչյուր ամսվա վերջին օրը: Ուղարկեք ձեր ֆանտաստիկ գաղափարները եւ հնարավորություն կունենաք ստանալու $1000 ձեր փոքր երազանքը իրականացնելու համար: Մեր պայմանները պարզ են եւ մատչելի, ընդամենը հարկավոր է լրացնել այս ձեւը եւ ձեր ՕՍԸՄ գաղափարը կքննարկվի: http://www.awesomefoundation.org/en/submissions/new?chapter=yerevan

Tel Aviv - קרן בקטנה (Non-active) – yutsrim zugiot - יוצרים זוגיות

2014-01-14T00:00:00Z

Yotzrim Zugiot offers speed dating for young adults with Autism. We are proud to say that some of the participants have gone on dates, and as a result of one of the evenings there are now two “official” couples!

Ann Arbor, MI – MPowered Makeathon

2014-01-14T00:00:00Z

Makeathon is a design competition that takes talented college students across all disciplines- from engineering, to pre-med, to art and design, to music- and gives them 36 hours to design and build a functional, physical prototype. Products will be voted on, and the winning product will be manufactured and sold. The best ideas are those that incorporate multiple perspectives and are spawned from collaboration. Specifically, Makeathon aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration among students across the nation, as well as to give them valuable connections to other students in various fields. Moreover, Makeathon aims to show students how to effectively create, market, and pitch an idea, as well as to promote an understanding of how innovation, productivity, and creativity (with the help of prototyping tools) can be used to develop new products. Makeathon is a completely student-run event, hosted by undergraduates at the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor. It will take place February 21rd-23rd, 2014.

Ann Arbor, MI – Fabulous Contraptions! cardboard arcade pop up

2014-01-14T00:00:00Z

Fabulous Contraptions, a community created pop-up cardboard arcade, is about building the creative confidence of the community— uniting kids and adults in the pleasure of making things and the act of joyful play. The event is inspired directly by Caine's Arcade, the short documentary about a 9 year-old boy whose imagination fueled the creation of an entire arcade built from cardboard at his dad’s auto shop. Fabulous Contraptions is a collaborative community project that celebrates (and exercises) individual and collective creativity. This spring, it will pop up at the FLY Creativity Lab in downtown Ypsilanti. We have interest from the Wurst Bar about hosting the arcade as well. The portable arcade may appear at other community sites as well— we will seek other opportunities to display the work. How will it be built? FLY will reach out to kids in the community. We will offer hands-on workshops where kids will learn about simple machines, and spend time exploring the challenge of making their visions happen. Creating complex contraptions that work requires time and space to explore, as well as knowledge and exposure to inspiration and information. FLY is prepared to provide these resources! These free workshops will be open to the entire community. At the same time, we will invite local creatives to participate. We live in a community that is rich in talent and inspiration. This is an opportunity to make connections, across generations and genres! This project is about process as much as the end result. Kids will learn to build something that works, and present it to the public. Kids learn to make their own fun, to design, to experiment, to meet a challenge, and to collaborate with others. We'll connect artists with youth, and bring our neighbors together for some fun. This project helps FLY address creative confidence and community directly and in a highly visible way. The project has extensive impact: it will benefit kids, the community, and FLY.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Solo No Puedo: I Cannot Alone

2014-01-13T00:00:00Z

Filming for the last 7 years, my second feature documentary, “Solo No Puedo: I Cannot Alone” is almost done filming. If you build it, will they come? An energetic, inspirational 78-year-old Peruvian-American doctor attempts the impossible before he dies—the construction of a state of the art, volunteer-run hospital in the middle of the jungle. Dr. Luis Vasquez is the Pied Piper of dreams! From his Chicago suburban home, to his mother’s remote jungle village—a place lost in time for a century— Luis’s simple idea to bring universal healthcare to the community and build a clinic explodes into an internationally run and sustainably designed scientific campus that will spark global changes in health care. The area around Yantaló, Peru is lacking in even basic care, but the specialists that are drawn there by Dr. Vasquez’s force of energy have already attracted patents from as far away as Lima. An intimate portrait over 7 years, Dr. Vasquez and his mother’s home village transform, as the power of dreams and determination are tested. Documentary is the ultimate form of journalism; entertaining, educational, and reaches large audiences. The film will be an example for organizations on how to inspire volunteerism, and for individuals on how to make a lasting impact. Agreements have already been set up between the Peru hospital and over 20 institutes around the world. Each of these organizations provides opportunities for partnership, promotion, and screenings. The film and its corresponding social media and website will provide resources and direction for people to volunteer, donate, and take action, both for Dr. Vasquez’s hospital and for other volunteer opportunities around the world. At a time when global warming and access and price of health care is on everyone’s minds, the film shares a successful system of “those who can pay will pay who those who cannot” and how to sustainably construct a hospital. Construction of the hospital will be completed April 2014.

Boston, MA (Non-active) – Worker Center Tool Library

2014-01-11T00:00:00Z

The Southside Worker Center was opened by Southside Presbyterian Church as one of their social justice ministries in 2006 to provide a safe place of workers to wait for employment and to negotiate a just daily wage with potential employers. The Southside Worker Center connects employees with work. We are a grassroots non-profit organization. Along with offering a space for workers to wait for work we also focus on empowering the leadership of the workers through a variety of trainings, shared decision making, and by maintaining the Center as a worker-run organization. Currently, we are organizing an effort to have a storage room filled with work tools (such as drills, jackhammers, rakes, etc.) so that when workers have a construction job or get hired to do landscaping, painting or tile work, they will be able to rent (at low-cost) the tools that we hope to have available for them. The profits made will be recycled back to the organization so that we continue to expand and maintain our tool selection.

Gloucester, MA – Giant Chess Gloucester!

2014-01-10T00:00:00Z

My awesome project is actually very simple. With the money, I will purchase a giant chess set, similar to the one you may see at the summer Block Parties (I'm usually the one playing everyone). I will then bring the chess board and pieces with me to locations that I will alert people to before hand, and take on all challenges. I will have a large white board to keep score of my wins and losses (I'm above average to really good at chess, so it will be mostly wins with maybe a couple of losses and a tie here and there), friends to take pictures, and prizes for those who win. I will also gladly attend events at schools with the chess set if asked.

Los Angeles, CA – Rainbow Pack

2014-01-07T00:00:00Z

I started Rainbow Pack when I was 10 years old. My school took a field trip to Haddon Avenue Elementary School in Pacoima. We were partnered up with some of the students and as I was coloring a picture with my partner with one of the few crayons on the table, I heard one of the girls say that she wanted a box of skinny crayons but her mom said she could not afford them. This broke my heart and it made me want to make a change. I then contacted the social worker at Haddon. After speaking with her I learned that this problem could not be fixed with just box of crayons. All of the kids at Haddon live below the poverty level. Not only did the kids not have crayons but they did not have a lot of the other basic school supplies that my friends and I take for granted every day. Because of that, many of the kids could not do their homework and were falling behind. This made me even more determined to help. Once I came up with the idea to give the kids brand-new backpacks full of homework supplies it was time to recruit some friends to help. The first year I got 4 of my friends to help and their parents. We set a goal to give backpacks and homework supplies to the entire kindergarten class at Haddon, but we doubled our goal and gave kindergarten and first grade backpacks and school supplies. The next year we set our goal even higher, we wanted to give Rainbow Packs (that is our name for the backpacks full of the supplies) to the entire school (K-5th grade). But we surpassed our goal again and helped the pre-kindergarten and special education classes too. To date Rainbow Pack has given out over 1,400 backpacks and over 19,000 school supplies. This being our third year we have set our biggest goal yet, we are hoping to help two entire schools, providing over 2,000 backpacks, and we are already more then half-way there. We have received so much help from our friends, family and even complete strangers but in order to reach our goal we need your help.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Warmth for Afghanistan

2014-01-07T00:00:00Z

Embrace’s first project in the Middle East was launched in April 2013 at Rabia Balkhi Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, in partnership with Health, Education, and Development for Afghanistan (HED-A), a small family-run NGO with strong ties to the Afghan community. Infant and maternal mortality rates in Afghanistan are among the highest in the world. Embrace program activities at Rabia Balkhi Hospital focus on: (1) raising awareness of the devastating impact of hypothermia in premature and low birth weight babies; (2) providing on-going training and support on use of the Embrace infant warmer and Kangaroo Mother Care, which includes breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, to keep the baby warm and protect from infection; and (3) delivering complementary, culturally appropriate health education focused on addressing the root causes of low birth weight and other critical maternal and child health issues. We have had incredible uptake of the Embrace infant warmer at Rabia Balkhi Hospital. In the program’s first three months, we provided side-by-side training to nearly 200 mothers and health care workers and served over 1,700 infants. We see tremendous opportunities to expand our work to three additional hospitals in the Kabul area by early 2014, given our initial program assessment, feedback from Rabia Balkhi Hospital staff, support from the Ministry of Public Health, and the pressing community needs. Under our current ‘Satellite’ program model, our local Site Manager based at Rabia Balkhi Hospital would also provide training and support to surrounding health care facilities in the region.

Oahu, HI – 15th Annual Holiday Party for Foster Keiki

2014-01-07T00:00:00Z

The Annual Holiday Party for Foster Keiki is a way to recognize and support foster children and the families that care for them during the holidays. The holiday season can be a difficult time of the year for children in foster care who are not with their biological families as there are constant reminders of the family they have lost. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Holiday Party which provides over 2,000 foster children and family members with a wonderful lunch, non-stop entertainment, lots of activities for the kids, a Santa photo booth and a gift or toy for every child and youth. For some children this may be the present they receive for Christmas this year. For a few it will be the first present they have ever received. And for siblings separated in foster care, this may be the only time they can celebrate with their siblings and take away great memories of a day of fun together, catured in a special photo taken with Santa. The Holiday Party, held on December 15th at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall, is also the biggest fundraiser for the agency raising much needed funds for programs and services that are under-funded or need of additional funds in the coming year. These unrestricted funds are vital in keeping our programs and services running. There are three ways in which we raise funds for the Holiday Party. We sell virtual tables at the event to underwrite the cost of the event and raise program support. A virtual table costs $500 to sponsor and will then be filled with eager foster children and their families on the day of the event. We also solicit sponsors to cover some of the major costs of the event such as rental charges, food, beverage, transportation, decorations, gift wrapping and more. These sponsorships range from $1,000-$5,000 and can involve volunteer opportunities for employees and family members. Lastly, we secure in-kind donation to feed 2500 people and provide 1200 children with a present from Santa each year.

Liverpool – Synced Musical shoes for kids to run in harmony!

2014-01-07T00:00:00Z

Some kids have cool shoes with glowing LEDS when they step. Nike+ shoes also measure step rate etc. We want to achieve a simple mission: Bring the world to life with music. Imagine James walking down the street. Every step plays a note of the violin section of Peter and the Wolf. Inexpensive leaf sensors in his shoes send wireless impulses to a small speaker mounted on his belt. He skips in time to the music. James sees his mate Danielle in the playground. They walk up to each other. James' system automatically syncs up to Danielle's and now every step Daniel makes, he starts playing the flute voice. The other kids turn round and all join in! There's a whole orchestra playing based of kids running around and having fun. It's synaesthesia. It's music. It's exercise. All rolled into one. We want to teach the world to sing again and bring joy to the hearts of everyone who takes part or witnesses this. The money would help. If we didn't receive the money we'd hope you could assist with publicising it and working with other previous winners, we see crossover with Art Therapy and free cakes for Kids. Also, I think it's a wonderful one for the whole Awesome network. Prototype one: A little metal player harp like they sell in Utility that plays 'Hey Jude' araldited onto a belt with metal buckle. Camera shutter release cable araldited in line to turn the harp one notch with every step. This project is Prototype two, with 2-3 functional units synced and talking to each other so 2-3 kids can run around making up a song.

Boston, MA (Non-active) – You Are Enough

2014-01-07T00:00:00Z

http://youtu.be/5LCWEU1G_rg "You Are Enough" is a cute and sentimental picture book for adults that celebrates singledom. My intention is to launch it in February, for Valentines day; an understandably challenging holiday for most single people. This heartwarming story written as a poem, shares the message that we don’t need a partner to "complete" us, that being single can be celebrated, and offers us many gifts. This is my tribute to being single in a couples’ world. “You are enough” is dedicated to the huge percentage of people who, as a result of being single, go forgotten on Valentines Day. It’s for those who aren’t a fan of commercial businesses reminding them of what they apparently “lack,” those for whom February 14th couldn’t come and go fast enough. My hope is that this video reminds people on ANY DAY of the year that they aren’t “lacking” simply because they aren’t in a relationship. But especially on a tricky day like Valentines Day, let this video serve as inspiration to offer some juicy self-love, and an appreciation for the many gifts that come from being single. Celebrate your singledom! Happy Valentines Day to EVERYONE.

Rio de Janeiro (Non-active) – Picadeiro de Histórias da Maré

2014-01-06T00:00:00Z

O Projeto mescla as seguintes linguagens artísticas: Circo (perna de pau, malabarismo, palhaço e acrobacia de solo), Música e Contação de Histórias. Proporciona, através de oficinas, a iniciação nestas artes como forma de socialização e comunicação. O principal objetivo é ampliar as potencialidades artísticas dos participantes e incentivar a experiência com novas habilidades. O irado neste Projeto é combinar diferentes saberes, como por exemplo: fazer malabarismo em cima da perna de pau ou tocar músicas enquanto conta histórias. As atividades circenses contribuem para o desenvolvimento físico-motor e psicológico, estimulando a percepção espacial e o equilíbrio. O ensino da música melhora a coordenação motora e a concentração. A contação de histórias desenvolve a criatividade e a expressão. O processo artesanal ajuda a conscientizar sobre questões ambientais. Serão confeccionados, em grupo, malabares (claves e bolas) e instrumentos sonoro-musicais (tambor, flauta de bambu, agogô, etc.) a partir do reaproveitamento de elementos da natureza e sucata. Este conjunto de atividades representa um desafio para que os participantes aumentem a perseverança, espírito de coletividade, cooperação e autoconfiança. Além disso, estimula o hábito de leitura, ampliando o conhecimento e a reflexão crítica. O Projeto destina-se aos moradores do complexo de favelas da Maré, Zona Norte do Rio. Trata-se de uma região com infraestrutura precária e acesso limitado às atividades culturais, principalmente no que se refere ao aprendizado circense, muitas vezes restrito a cursos particulares. As oficinas ocorrerão ao longo de um mês, tendo 2 aulas por semana, com duração de 3h cada aula, totalizando 24h e atendendo a 20 participantes. Metodologia: 1ª etapa: técnicas circenses e confecção de malabares; 2ª etapa: música e confecção de instrumentos; 3ª etapa: contação de histórias, preparação e apresentação para a comunidade do espetáculo “Picadeiro de Histórias”, construído coletivamente.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Wishes and Wellness

2013-12-31T00:00:00Z

Wellness and Wishes is a project that has been designed to educate and improve the lives of young adult cancer patients through granting them an experience to make them feel like they were never diagnosed with cancer. We will use Wellness to try to educate youth about prevention and diagnosis of young adult cancer.

Pittsburgh, PA – Kiss for Peace!

2013-12-31T00:00:00Z

Abstract: On November 4th 2013, a new project was started to promote peace and mutual understanding among people of Iran and the United States of America. The two countries, with very dark days in the history of their relationship, initiated direct contacts after over 30 years. Amid such positive atmosphere Netformance, a creative internet based performance art , called on people to send their photos (using social medias like Facebook twitter and instagram)while posing a kissing gesture! Immediately after the website went live, many social network users participated and showed a very positive feedback. In just one week we received over 300 pictures and several International news agencies such as BBC covered our story. Now we are moving forward to bring “Kiss For Peace” to public spaces. http://much-kiss-for-peace.netformance.org --- Now; Public show / Pittsburgh: In light of Pittsburgh’s long history in embracing creative art works, we are considering to our public demonstration from this city by projecting pictures on a city building. That would give us the opportunity to invite people of Pittsburgh(observers ,pedestrians...) to participate in real time and post their photos(their kisses!) on the website which then will be projected back on the building. ---- Neftomarnce: Internet-Performance art; is an interdisciplinary project with the objective to have audience at the heart of an art work looking at various challenges of the societies . Our goal is to use creative ideas and innovative technology to help people’s opinion about these issues heard. A software was developed to connect social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instamatic to a web portal and update the website in real time using the content provided by users of these services. This platform will serve the Netformance art work and its subsequent developments in the future. ---- https://www.facebook.com/Netformance

Austin, TX – The Texas Observer: Reaching Millions

2013-12-31T00:00:00Z

The Observer has been providing in-depth, investigative coverage of Texas politics, news, and culture since 1954. Over the past few years, with a glossy new magazine and rebuilt website, web traffic is skyrocketing, with 1.2 million unique visitors in 2013. According to researchers, tablet use has increased 400% in the last year, and around one-third of Texas adults will own tablets by 2016. Pair those stats with a Texas population of 26 million, almost 50% of which identify as moderates or progressives, and that’s a potential reading audience of 4.3 million in Texas alone. A grant from the Austin Awesome Foundation will allow the Observer to contract with a web-based digital publishing platform to create and manage tablet apps easily, affordably and without hiring a developer. If it works as planned, it will allow the Observer to offer the magazine on digital newsstands and to provide tablet and smartphone readers with the interactive experience they expect. As a nonprofit media outlet, the Observer’s investigative reporting is supported by subscribers, donors and other paying readers. Money raised through digital publishing on 27 new platforms will allow the Observer to maintain the tradition of fearless watchdog journalism honed over 60 years.

Philadelphia, PA – Widener Memorial School Wheelchair Dance Program

2013-12-31T00:00:00Z

This semester we will be teaching Foxtrot and Waltz to the children and their standing partners from surrounding universities. After 8 weeks of instruction we will have a competition with judges and prizes for top 3 couples. This has always been a hit for students, faculty, standing partners, and families.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – P.E.A.C.E Project Recycle (Donkeys for development

2013-12-23T00:00:00Z

The project includes setting up a community recycling buyback centre that will facilitate the collection sorting and selling of waste to gain an income. It is purely a local economic development programme, looking at creating jobs, generation of income and cleaning of the environment in Senwabarwana, a rural community in deep rural Limpopo province, South Africa. Waste collection will be done using the Municipal system, and since this is not adequate, it will also include the collection of waste using trolleys and cages that are easily on and offloaded from a converted pick up truck which i am still fundraising for. The most innovative part of the project is the use of donkey drawn carts to collect waste door to door in areas the Municipality is currently not servicing. The project is centred around cooperatives who become the direct beneficiaries, since i work under P.E.A.C.E Foundation. The idea is to pull rural communities out of poverty through provision of jobs for the otherwise unemployable in the informal sector. Currently, i have received funding for the baling machine, fencing, electronic scale, 2 cages, 10 trolleys and protective clothing. This has seen One cooperative of 5 women moving from working from an unprotected dumpsite to operating from a formal structure, with water, electricity and the prerequisite machinery essential for operating a buyback centre. We have also identified 9 donkey owners whom have already been sent for training on proper harnessing of donkeys, and once we fundraise for their donkey carts, they will now be formally employed in their own cooperative structure. We will also have recycling competitions and workshops in schools to promote recycling activities at a school level

Newmarket – "AstroNuts kids space club"

2013-12-23T00:00:00Z

Four years ago Brett and I created the "Astronuts kids space club" for local kids that love rocketry, astronomy, technology, STEM and "everything space"... The "crew " of 20, both boys and girls, ages 9 to 12, meet at our home once a month for a 3 hour "mission" . During the "mission" the AstroNuts are engaged by amazing volunteer "space educators"(astronomers, rocket scientists, astronauts etc) ....WE also have have a special skype guest from somewhere in the world inspire the kids! The AstroNut kids always have an hour long space-related activity...activities included making comets from dry-ice, multiple rocket launches, making home made telescopes, many arts and crafts related to various themes, many awesome "mission drills" in our space ship called "Space ship Mercury Two" I built the space ship over the past 2 years...its made completely of "space junk" Brett and I have taken recycled materials and electronics...then rebuilt and rewired them for a fun "out-of-this-world" adventure. Our spaceship was featured on TVO kids "the Space". We also go on a number of field trips to places like the York University observatory, UTIAS aerospace studies institute, NAPAS rocket launch site, and the Ontario Science Centre to name a few. I have also done volunteer space education outreach with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters and Scouts Canada. Three years ago, in order to engage more elementary school children in the space sciences I created the "annual " AstroNuts STEM contest" where students from 50 elementary schools were invited to create and present to scientists their STEM projects... The winners were then invited to attend the very successful annual "Whats up in Space" event...Both events brought hundreds of children together with dozens of volunteer space educators like Canadian astronaut and hero Dr. Dave Williams to engaged over four hours on "everything space". Our rocket ship float was entered in both the Newmarket and Aurora Santa parades...