Awesome Foundation - Projects

San Antonio, TX – Scio STEM

2018-06-28T00:00:00Z

Scio STEM seeks to inspire children 6 months to 4 years of age in appropriate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) concepts through a combination of free and guided play. Many experts agree that children learn the most and fastest in the first 5 years of life than any other point in life, yet developmental resources for this age group is severely underfunded. Unfortunately, The United States lags far behind many other developed countries in science and mathematics. In order to combat these statistics, Scio STEM plans to travel the community of San Antonio offering weekly themed STEM events at public parks, daycares, and schools. The primary target is to provide resources for underprivileged children and parents. We can observe the scientific method even in infancy. An infant sees something such as a toy on the floor and they make an observation. An infant then proceeds to make a hypothesis about what it is. They then pick it up and put it in their mouth. They are experimenting. They think about it and analyze what they put in their mouth. Their facial reaction of pleasure or disgust is their report. Lastly, they share what they find with others. We want to inspire children as young as 6 months through unique, fun, thought provoking, age appropriate activities and build the confidence of parents to teach STEM concepts through everyday interactions. We have learned that it is more effective to give a head start in STEM than it is to remediate a student later in K-5 grades. We have volunteers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics ready to attend these weekly events to directly interact with children and parents. We have implemented marketing through social media platforms and are optimistic about continued exponential outreach. With a clear vision and a community in need we hope to make a true, much needed difference here in San Antonio.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Youth Mural Arts workshop of the HV Community Ctr.

2018-06-27T00:00:00Z

In 2009 I started the Youth Mural Arts program as a way to 'give back' all that I've learned as an artist. Since then, as the the founder and director of the program, I have worked with thousands of youth and dozens of artists to make large scale grassroots community engaged public art installations in the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions of NY. These projects not only beautify and energize our public spaces but also give our youth awesome tools for team building, leadership skills and future creative endeavors. The mural will be painted on wood panels and then installed on the exterior facade of the building. We would like to host a series of six workshops with the youth at the Poughkeepsie Community Center to make a large mural on the exterior of their building that will be shared with thousands of Poughkeepsie residents. The students will learn the power of public art to promote positive change, practice team building exercises, conceptualize and design the mural, learn different techniques to transfer their design, and explore many different techniques for application of paint resulting in a tangible fully fledged work of art. The Community Center located at 101 Grand Street has a wide range of facilities ranging from a swimming pool to a basket ball court to a dance studio and so much more. There is no current art programming at the center so this project is a perfect fit for the students as well as those served by the facility. The center serves hundreds of at-risk youth as well as many seniors and many other members of the community through a variety of programming and activities. This project will serve to uplift & engage everyone who comes in contact with it as it will be shared with the entire community for many years to come. http://www.hvcommunitycenter.com/ Our goal is to use this project as a launching pad for a long term art program at the center. The attached photos are a few examples of past murals, More at the link provided above..

Leiden – Vensterbank #3

2018-06-27T00:00:00Z

Graag zou ik bij de entree van Leiden (stationsplein) een non-profit window-galerie willen openen om werk te exposeren van gevestigde en beginnend kunstenaars die in opdracht hiervoor speciaal nieuw werk maken. Dus elke maand een verse expositie met toffe werken waarbij de voorbijgangers echt wel even stil moeten staan en waarvan de entree dus gratis is! Achter de ramen komt een ruime witte etalage (bak) waar de werken in kunnen staan of hangen en natuurlijk met met licht, zodat men het s'avonds ook kan bewonderen. Kortom een echte awesome toevoeging voor de stad en haar kunstminnaars en cultuurliefhebbers!

Poughkeepsie, NY – After school Music Production Program

2018-06-27T00:00:00Z

We provide a program for students to learn music production and recording in a real commercial studio enviornment. The time for the program is 3-6pm and will include learning how to select sounds, mix and basic production skills. The age group will be High school age. Instructors for this project will include myself a proven music producer with credits that include work on various projects in the music industry alongside students from Vassar College and working artists and professional musicians. This will be a great way for kids with an interest in the field of music and entertainment to gain hands on experience and broaden the scope of knowledge on a universal language..

Rotterdam – Flashed by Sneaky Fitness

2018-06-27T00:00:00Z

Did you know that 48 % of the kids and 45% of the adults who live in Rotterdam exercise too little? We can understand why. We don't like to sport either. Even though we know it is good for our health. We came up with a fun solution! We believe we can nudge people into exercising and moving just by making it fun to do. Imagine playing pong by running in front of a screen against someone else somewhere in the Netherlands, be challenged to jump as far as possible by stripes on the sidewalk, or being flashed by a speedcamera which takes a picture if you run fast enough. We already did our first tests by marking stripes on the floor with the text 'jump'. We found out that 56% of the kids that walked by used the Sneaky Fitness challenge and even 5% of the adults used the intervention. These test results are very promising! Our dream is to make every inhabitant of Rotterdam move more often every day!

Utrecht – Straotpraot tegels

2018-06-26T00:00:00Z

Straotpraot: een praatje op straat met je buren, de postbode of die wachtende reiziger bij de bushalte. In contact, in verbinding, in gesprek: je blik los van de eeuwig afleidende telefoon. Straotpraottegels op de grond in bushaltes met inspirerende en prikkelende teksten vangen je aan de telefoon gekluisterde blik en nodigen uit een praatje met je buurman te beginnen. Te beginnen in Zuilen. Zo simpel kan een Awesome idee zijn.

Washington, DC – Museum of Bureaucracy

2018-06-26T00:00:00Z

Americans, especially us in DC, are preoccupied with concern about the erosion of democratic norms and a perceived assault on our nation’s institutions. But while the 24-7 news cycle fixates on these external pressures, we hear virtually nothing about the internal corrosion and contradictions of our institutions. We rely on 18th century institutions to meet 21st century challenges. Rather than innovate and renew, we double down on administration, feeding and expanding an autocratic, inefficient bureaucratic beast. The irony is that these very institutions charged with guaranteeing our democracy and individual freedom are at their core undemocratic, individual crushing juggernauts. At a time when trust in government is at an all time low, how can we restore that trust and confidence if the essential nature of bureaucracy is anathema to the values we hold dear? Enter the Museum of Bureaucracy (MoB) – an experiential, pop-up performance art satire that will bring to light the soul crushing, dehumanization of day-to-day life in the bureaucracy and will spur conversation and introspection on what democracy means within the institutions meant to guarantee it. But why will it be awesome? Because it will be a ridiculously entertaining, over-the-top satire, oozing with kaftka-esque dark humor. It will be like if instead of writing A Modest Proposal, Thomas Swift instead opened a food truck. Rest assured that no babies will be harmed, but the sensibilities and comfort level of our patrons will nonetheless be threatened. They will endure the indignities of being yelled at by middle management, of having to send a fax, of having to get clearance to use the restroom, waiting in line for a number only to get assigned to another line, and of sitting through a career counseling session with a box-wine swilling, retired-in-place bureaucrat depicted by an off-season mall Santa. There will be a stress ball pit, a cubical maze, and red tape dispensers. In short, it will be awesome!

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – Black Barbie: A Documentary

2018-06-25T00:00:00Z

LOGLINE In 1959, Barbie was released. Twenty-one years later, Black Barbie hit the shelves. Beulah Mae Mitchell, who worked on the Mattel assembly line, asked her boss Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie: “Why isn’t there a doll that looks like me?” Today, her niece, filmmaker Lagueria Davis, will tell her story and explore the broader struggle for Black female representation in a world where worthy rarely means Black. SYNOPSIS Through examining the history of Barbie, the most iconic girl toy brand of all time, Black Barbie: A Documentary will explore the double standard of femininity and beauty that Black women face. With exclusive access to Beulah Mae Mitchell, the charismatic aunt of the director, the film will take us on a personal journey through her 45-year career at Mattel working on the signature brand, and her impact on the evolving diversity displayed in today’s product line. Historically the toy industry, led predominantly by white men and women, has overlooked the significance of seeing diverse faces mirrored on our shelves, and the lengthy, uphill battles it takes to get them there. Our film will bolster the importance of representation and the necessity to incorporate more inclusive voices into the mainstream.

Tallahassee, FL (Non-active) – Girls Rock Camp Tallahassee

2018-06-25T00:00:00Z

Girls Rock Camp Tallahassee is a new summer camp that seeks to empower young women and girls through music, self-expression and community building. Girls Rock Camp started in Portland, OR in 2001 and its enormous impact can be seen in the hundreds of sister camps that have sprung up throughout the US and around the world. United by the Girls Rock Camp Alliance, these camps utilize the same basic approach: form campers into bands, guide them as they write one song, teach each camper how to play an instrument, and celebrate their achievements at a public concert at the end of the week. In addition to the music lessons, we have invited local artists, dancers and teachers of all kinds to conduct hour-long workshops as additions to the daily camp schedule. As we look forward to our inaugural camp in Tallahassee this July, we envision an exciting opportunity for creativity, community and fun. Though we can only accept 16 campers this year, we look forward to growing in the years to come.

Kingston – Girls SySTEM Mentorship Program

2018-06-25T00:00:00Z

Recently, with the generous support of the NSERC funding agency, I founded the Girls SySTEM Mentorship Program - Canada's FIRST STEM-focused professional mentorship platform. We aim to inspire young STEMists and increase women's representation in STEM-related fields by pairing girls in grades 8-12 with professional mentors from a diverse range of fields. By doing so, they will be able to acquire first-hand knowledge and experiences early in their academic careers. The statistics are grim, with a reported 20% of Canada's post-secondary STEM students being female. Similarly, women are still vastly under-represented in the STEM workforce, occupying merely 22%. We aim to alleviate the barriers to STEM-based learning and increase STEM education for the next generation of innovators. Research shows that the production of university graduates in science and engineering begins early on, in elementary and high school, when children are exposed to and form opinions about these diverse fields. This is a critical period when students, especially young girls, begin to question their inherent abilities in STEM-related study and formulate gender-biased opinions which impact their capabilities. Therefore, by targeting this important period in their academic careers, our program objectives are three-fold: 1) To raise awareness of the diversity of women holding STEM positions so that we may attempt to alter the belief that STEM roles are solitary or genetically predisposed 2) To sustain girls’ interest in science throughout their high school careers and allow them to experience the first-hand possibilities of STEM fields on their own terms 3) To provide aspiring young girls with positive role models who will empower, support, and guide them towards career decision making

Orlando, FL – College Park Mural

2018-06-25T00:00:00Z

The goal of this project is to bring a colorful and positive mural to the main drag of College Park. We were able to secure a nationally recognized artist, Chris Uphues, to come and handprint the mural with his signature bright colors and whimsy. This mural with positiviley impact the economy of the surrounding businesses while increasing traffic to College Park, cementing it’s appeal as a Main Street destination.

Washington, DC – TINY CAT - Dark Music Festival/Benefit for Charity

2018-06-25T00:00:00Z

This summer Working Order Records will be hosting a two-day dark music festival called TINY CAT on Friday, August 3rd and Saturday, August 4th at the Black Cat in Washington, DC. TINY CAT will consist of five acts per night. Both Hélène de Thoury from Hante and both members of Sally Dige will be flying in from Europe for their first ever US performances. Seven of the ten acts have never before played in Washington, DC. The TINY CAT Dark Music Festival is a benefit for charity. 100% of the proceeds raised are being donated to the Greater DC Diaper Bank (https://greaterdcdiaperbank.org/). Our mission is to make a positive impact in our community through music and promotions. We hope you will join us in support of this awesome charity! GREATER DC DIAPER BANK empowers families and individuals in need throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia by providing an adequate and reliable source for basic baby needs and personal hygiene products. For this benefit we will be raising funding for two of their programs; The Baby Pantry and The Monthly: A Greater DC Diaper Bank Program. DAY 1 LINEUP: FRIDAY, AUGUST 3RD Hante. (Paris) Kontravoid (Toronto) Technophobia (DC) Remote/Control (Philadelphia) Radiator Greys (DC) DAY 2 LINEUP: SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH Crash Course in Science (PA) Tempers (NYC) Void Vision (Philadelphia) TWINS / That Which Is Not Said (Atlanta) Aertex (DC/NYC) MORE LINKS & INFO:
FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/584472515245677/
Working Order Records: http://www.workingorderrecords.org
WOR FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/worecords/
WOR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worecords/
Technophobia FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/Technophobiamusic/
Technophobia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/technophobiamusic/
The Black Cat DC: https://www.facebook.com/BlackCatDC/
Charity FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/dcdiaperbank/
Charity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dcdiaperbank/
Dropbox link for the TINY CAT Press Kit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/2besc8r8z5iij1d/AABSqa06SfmaIQQF8Y-yYURsa?dl=0 Our current and pending support is all in-kind donations. • 50 festival t-shirts will be printed and donated. We will sell these at both days of the event and all of the proceeds will go toward the donation to the Greater DC Diaper Bank. • Sticky Fingers Bakery has donated some gift cards for a raffle we will be having at the event. • We have also reached out to local hotels to donate hotel rooms, but have not received answers yet.

Adelaide – Memory Objects

2018-06-22T00:00:00Z

Amber Cronin, curator at The Mill is working with artist, John Blines on his latest project: Memory Objects to realise the next stages of his research. John is an artist who is passionate about the benefit of arts-in-health. Since July 2015, he has been working with cancer patients and their carers, cancer researchers and psychologists at the Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer. John served in the Royal Australian Air Force for 20 years. This fraternal link has motivated John to work with Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. John himself has incurable cancer and an associated mental health condition and sees the benefit that his arts practice has on his wellbeing and wishes explore sharing his practice through the framework presented by the institutional space of the gallery. John aims to use his time in residence at The Mill to consider childhood memories which often permeate mental health conditions through, he will do this through the creation of objects created from his own memory. It is both personal therapy and an experiment within a broader Arts in Health framework.The wax and silver objects, either as an archive or assembled into new forms, represent the possibility of an altered psychology. This project is experimental and is anticipated as a small and evolving installation over the three month residency period. The methodology and understanding of the process and its outcomes will develop and evolve during the project. As a way of instigating the evolution of this project, John will also work with Returned Service Personnel who have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or other mental health conditions as a regular meet up and feedback group. The project consists of a three month publicly accessible gallery residency displaying/working on the evolving artwork - this residency makes process available to the audience. John will also hold an artist talk and workshop (in creating objects) to share his practice.

Gloucester, MA – Gloucester High School Transition Team

2018-06-22T00:00:00Z

The Gloucester High School Transition Team is applying for the Awesome Gloucester grant in order to expand our curriculum for the 2018-2019 school year. The GHS Transition Team prepares local seniors and post-graduates with disabilities for life after high school. Students spend the first half of every school day in academic classes, then they trek out in the afternoon to complete volunteer work, internships, and practice their social and community skills through meaningful activities around Gloucester. Currently, all Transition Team activities are student-funded. There has been no additional funding provided by the district to the Transition Team for educational expenses. With the Awesome Gloucester funding, we will be able to fund essential opportunities to our 2018-2019 curriculum. The Awesome Gloucester grant will provide CATA and Amtrak training, transportation costs to nearby post-secondary programs for individuals with disabilities, Cape Ann YMCA memberships, and enriching community experiences within Gloucester, such as field trips and monthly lunch outtings, building social skills, while giving back to the local economy.

Adelaide – Play it On

2018-06-22T00:00:00Z

Play it On is a new social enterprise that will provide funding to assist children from families that are financially challenged, to participate in sports. Our vision is 'Australian children have the opportunity to play sport regardless of their financial situation' How it works: We collect unwanted sports gear, rejuvenate it in Men's Sheds and sell it online, the profits raised will create a foundation for children who can't afford to pay sporting club fees. In South Australia in lower socio-economic areas, children’s participation in sport is around half the participation rates of kids in other areas and this is primarily due to finances. Play it On will create a sustainable way to support all kids to play, it will recycle gear that would otherwise end up in landfill and hopes to employ young people in retail that are mad about sport! Kids out-grow sports equipment fast. They can also change sports and organised physical activities with amazing regularity. This can end up costing families hundreds of dollars for every active child for every season and every sport they may play. When a family has more than one active child, the costs can really add up quickly. Much of the gear people have in their sheds is in great condition and has lots of years left in it. People have a chance to donate the used equipment and help clear some space in their garage. We can help to reduce the financial pressure on families by selling used gear at cheaper prices. Our end game is to increase the rates of kids playing sport knowing the health and social benefits by being involved in organised sport!

Rockport, MA – Off The Hook Walking Tours

2018-06-21T00:00:00Z

Off the Hook Walking Tours was born from a dream to show summer visitors the beauty of Rockport's downtown area. We partnered with local businesses to give visitors the opportunity to sample food from popular downtown restaurants and retail discounts to downtown shops. Along the hour-long tour, we share stories of Rockport's unique history, including all of the quirky tales that make the area so special. Our tour helps encourage visitors to interact with local businesses and truly appreciate the beauty and history of the beloved town. Off the Hook is also stationed right next to the Rockport Visitor's Center, so we have the opportunity to share insight with locals who are looking for information on what to do and where to go around town. Off the Hook encourages visitors to immerse themselves in their visit to Rockport, teaching them insights and showing them locations to spend their time in town like a true local.

Newmarket – School Community Gardens

2018-06-20T00:00:00Z

The Healthy Living Revolution is a mission driven model to inspire healthier living around the world. My initiative starts with our community and, more specifically with our young, eager and impressionable community, the children! I am working to bring community gardens into as many local schools and educational institutions as possible. The Tower Garden is an aeroponic, indoor growing system which allows lesson plans to be brought to life. Students are involved from 'seed to feed'. Seeds are planted, seedlings sprout, they are transferred to the Tower Garden, ph levels are monitored, harvesting occurs and fresh, fruits, vegetables and herbs are available for consumption. Curriculum and lesson plan ideas are provided. Students and staff alike have fallen in love with their school gardens. They have brought such a unique and rich culture of involvement to the school community. When we teach kids about nature, we teach them to nurture.

Chicago, IL – Ghostskate 2018 Season & Chicago Expansion

2018-06-20T00:00:00Z

Our project is Ghostskate, a community group on Meetup.com that holds a series of more than 30 skateboarding events throughout 8 months, in and around New York City and has opened this year in Chicago! Ghostskate has been running for 8 years and more than 2,700 members in NYC, making it the largest skateboarding group on Meetup.com, and was recently recognized at Meetup's Togetherfest event as one of the top 150 Meetup groups around the world. Funding will go towards launching our inaugural Chicago Ghostskate season. The events that Ghostskate hosts include beginner lessons, distance skates throughout the city, skill clinics and small competitions. Our staff of coaches help host our calendar of events. We empower our coaches to become more than just members of our community -- we empower them to be leaders. We achieve this by providing them with the proper method to hold an open and accepting event that never leaves a member behind, a framework to announce their events, and a partner to help host the events. By growing our number of community leaders, we provide a regular and reliable series of events, which makes us a reliable resource for people to advance their skateboarding skills and engage with the community around them.

Ottawa – Community Kicks

2018-06-20T00:00:00Z

June's Awesome Ottawa award goes to Aaron Thornell and DropIn Sports to support a soccer tournament that will welcome new Canadians to the Ottawa community. The tournament, Community Kicks, will be held at Brewer Park on Sunday, June 24, and welcome players of all skill levels and abilities. It will also feature a DJ, a World Cup viewing area, and spirit prizes that place an emphasis on sportsmanship and teamwork. The event, now in its second year, is organized by a group of volunteers under the banner of DropIn Sports, a community-based organization that seeks to get individuals of all skill, experience, and ability levels involved in recreational activities.

Baltimore, MD – Mera Kitchen Collective

2018-06-20T00:00:00Z

Mera Kitchen Collective is a worker-owned cooperative founded by and for Baltimore’s refugee and immigrant women who have a passion for cooking. Structural barriers make it very difficult for refugees and immigrants to pursue opportunities that capitalize on our interests and skills. We formed Mera Kitchen Collective to address these inequities. We empower ourselves through entrepreneurship and ownership. We’ve hosted pop-up dinners, cooking classes, catered events and sell our food weekly at the Baltimore Farmers Market. We are creating an intentionally inclusive community by sharing the cuisines from our home countries with the people of Baltimore. In April 2018, we held our first “Refugee and Immigrant Arts Feast”, hosting over 450 guests who had the opportunity to taste and experience the food and art from 18 vendors from 13 countries. We generated over $6000 that went directly back to these vendors. In addition to Arts Feast, we've hosted 4 other sold out events, generating an additional $10,000 of revenue, which went right back to the refugee and immigrant members of our collective. Our vision is to open and operate a community-owned cafe that provides meaningful employment and connections for more refugee and immigrants living in Baltimore. Our model also creates a platform to advocate for immigrant and refugee rights and representation.

Yerevan – Handmade science

2018-06-20T00:00:00Z

Many schools in Armenia don’t have any scientific laboratories or even instrumentation to demonstrate simple experiments from physics or chemistry textbooks. On the other hand, after Soviet Union, not all departments of universities have opportunity to provide practical and experimental lessons to show students the science in real life. As a result many middle and high school students do not have any experience with applied part of the science in general. These gaps make them doubt the importance of science and many become ignorant. Yerevan Young Minds is also concerned by this problem and is trying to come up with a solution. Members of Yerevan Young Minds plan to make a bridge between schools and universities and try to fill educational gaps within them. Our awesome idea is to create new handmade scientific tool kits with the help of students for school pupils who don’t have access to any kind of laboratories. Firstly, students will learn by creating new tool kits. Additionally, they will have opportunity to fill gap of experiments and practical lessons in universities. Secondly, pupils will have chance to have their own school kits for learning experiments from textbooks. One of the main important things is that they can make little demonstrations themselves even without expensive instrumentation. Our tool-kits will be accompanied with “How to Use” brochures which will have additional explanation of the Physics behind the experiments. This would be done by students as an additional challenge: explaining experiments in simplest and very understandable way for kids. For implementing the idea, three experimental tool-kits have been carefully chosen. They will be distributed among ten schools from different villages with the help of "Teach for Armenia" organization or during our school visits in villages. Members of Yerevan Young Minds will also visit schools and make additional demonstrations for experiments by peer teaching method.

Raleigh, NC (Non-active) – Tea time

2018-06-18T00:00:00Z

Tea is a time honored tradition, not just in the American South, but all over the world. Universally, tea time is a way to connect with your neighbors, to make new friendships, and to make newcomers feel welcome. Estes Hills Elementary is one of the few racially and socio-economically diverse public schools in the Triangle Area, which makes it a beautiful ecosystem to promote tolerance and connection, not just in the school, but in the wider community. The children will make tea, from a garden they have grown themselves, and set up stands throughout the year, and serve tea to the community. Locations might include the farmers market, festivals, a busy morning outside the supermarket, or the street at the end of their neighborhood. The children will connect with the larger community, make themselves visible, and at the same time offering something of value that they have invested in and feel pride about. The tea can either be hot or cold, depending on the time of the year, and will be made from fresh edible ingredients from the school garden. A few months ago, the garden was deserted, but thanks to a few dedicated parents and teachers, it has been transformed, with the help of the community. The Wild Bird Center provided a ten feeder bird tree. The Monarch project donated 5o milkweed plugs and certified the garden as a Monarch Waystation. Lowes donated 45 vegetable plants. Southern States and Fitch Lumber have also provided either discounts or materials to support, 'le petit jardin' - barely 100 square feet with almost 200 plants that will grow over the next few months, providing the important lesson to children that just because you are small, you can still inspire wonder. Almost half the children (46%) of Estes Elementary are minority students, and 29% are economically disadvantaged. Tea time would allow these children to be seen as part of the community, just by using the simple and time honored tradition of offering a cup of tea.

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – The Doula Project

2018-06-18T00:00:00Z

The Doula Project provides free compassionate care and emotional, physical, and informational support to people across the spectrum of pregnancy. We work to create a society in which all pregnant people have access to the care and support they need during their pregnancies and the ability to make healthy decisions for themselves, whether they face birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal anomaly, or abortion. We believe that all pregnancy outcomes should be honored and supported. The Doula Project is a NYC-based, volunteer-run, collectively led organization of over fifty full-spectrum doulas. Our doulas have backgrounds as social justice activists, teachers, childbirth educators, birth doulas, social workers, and reproductive health professionals. We partner with Planned Parenthood Brooklyn, Planned Parenthood Bronx, several public hospitals, and other service providers to provide full-spectrum doula services. Given the rising maternal mortality rates and health care disparities that disproportionately affect pregnant people of color, the work of doulas is increasingly critical in protecting the health of marginalized populations. Full-spectrum doulas also help defend reproductive freedom by providing the support people need to exercise their rights and make free choices regarding their reproductive health.

Asheville, NC (Non-active) – Ukulele Chorus

2018-06-18T00:00:00Z

I teach at Sugarloaf Elementary School in Hendersonville. My school's music teacher and I would like to start a Ukulele Chorus at my school in the upcoming school year. The Ukulele Chorus will learn to play fun, sweet, and uplifting songs together on the ukulele. The Ukulele Chorus will be one of the school's clubs, The Chorus will range from 15 - 20 students, and students get to pick the club they join so they tend to be invested in their choice. In addition, the Chorus will include students from all grade levels, learning together and helping each other. Parents will be invited to help out with the Ukulele Chorus, helping build bonds between school and home. Depending on the parents' interests, they may help with crowd control, teach a song, or give one-on-one support to the youngest learners. The Ukulele Chorus will have many opportunities to perform for the student body and parents at school events like pep rallies, parent-teacher nights, talent nights, and community open houses. In addition, we are planning to have at least two field trips to play for folks at the Carillon Assisted Living Center two miles from the school. Sugarloaf Elementary is a rural Title 1 school in which all students receive free breakfast and lunch. We work hard to make sure our students' basic needs are met, and also to create opportunities for them to explore the world and expand their horizons. So why the ukulele? Ukulele is relatively easy instrument for young children to learn, and there is a wealth of songs with simple fingering that make them accessible young learners. These range from nursery rhyme favorites to the ever-popular-in-elementary-school Katy Perry.

Piqua, OH (Non-active) – Fix It or Flip It Project

2018-06-18T00:00:00Z

On Saturday, August 25, Positively Promoting Piqua (PPP) will be sponsoring a community workshop entitled "Fix It or Flip It" at the Upper Valley Career Center from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The workshop, which is free of charge, is designed to educate Piqua area residents about either renovating their present homes and/or "flipping" a home for a profit with the end result of aesthetically improving their properties and enhancing the community. The workshop will include speakers who will provide "how to" tips of renovating homes as well as financing such improvements. Several Piqua residents have successfully "flipped" homes and will relate how they accomplished the feat. Other speakers will talk about creating "curb appeal" and how such things as landscaping or new paint can add value to one's home. UVCC's building and trades department will also be asked to participate as part of this collaborative venture. Following the morning presentation, local businesses will be present to meet with the general public. Vendors will include electricians, plumbers, painters, landscapers, realtors, bankers and others who can provide guidelines on home projects. Each participant will be asked to provide a door prize for drawings given throughout the morning. Donuts and coffee will be served. PBS Woodworker Scott Phillips is also being invited to participate. PPP's planning committee is hopeful this workshop will be beneficial to those who are now planning fall and/or winter home improvement projects.

Piqua, OH (Non-active) – Magical Birthday Party on the Square

2018-06-18T00:00:00Z

We are a chapter of the Harry Potter Alliance, a group dedicated to doing good deeds in the name of Harry Potter. Harry Potter’s birthday is July 31, and we would like to throw a birthday party and invite the whole town! The farmers market date closest to his birthday is July 26, and we have talked to Lorna about partnering on that date and having the party during the market. Our group’s main goal is to promote literacy, so we would hand out books to everyone who came, have cupcakes and other treats, and have Harry Potter themed activities for kids and adults to enjoy (wand-making station, sorting hat ceremony, etc.). Though many activities will be Harry Potter themed, the idea is to make the party fun and inviting for anyone-- regardless of age or familiarity with Harry Potter.

Pittsburgh, PA – I SHINE Beauty Academy

2018-06-18T00:00:00Z

“I SHINE” Beauty Academy will serve young ladies in grades 3-12. The academy’s goal is to empower young ladies with the tools to define their own beauty. In a society where media often dictates what, and whom are deemed beautiful, women have entered a battlefield the moment they look in the mirror. For minority women especially, their image is often scarcely portrayed, thus, young ladies, need to be able to care for themselves, and take ownership in that process. “I SHINE” Beauty Academy will grant young girls, particularly of African American descent the chance to develop their own hair and skin care regimen. It’s often been heard that “A woman’s hair is her glory,” and of course skin care is essential. Instead of just listening to proclamations regarding the latest trends for hair and skin care, these ladies will be able to be the voice behind their creation. In the academy they will learn how to be active participants in defining themselves. No longer will they just adhere to popular customs of hair and skin care, they will learn to question and research the products they become consumers of, to which point they will have a hand in making the products, which may save them money. In collaboration with D&K Whip Appeal, a partner of S.H.I.N.E. Society of Excellence, and Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants, over a 6 week time period, ladies will attend workshops that will educate them regarding natural hair and skin care techniques. Through the S.H.I.N.E. model the ladies will in turn present their own regimen they recommend based on what they have learned. This regimen will include a weekly process for natural hair and skin care. Young ladies will be able to develop a custom whipped hair and body butter to complete their regimen. The process of making a whipped hair or body butter includes research about the ingredients used, such as Shea, coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil etc.,-all natural butters and oils. A final presentation of products will take place.

Moscow (Non-active) – Театр - студия этнической моды "Коштан"

2018-06-16T00:00:00Z

Мы живем в Удмуртии. Делимся на северных и южных удмуртов. Наш Кезский район относится к северным удмуртам. Южные удмурты смогли сохранить свою национальную идентичность. Даже сейчас можно встретить их на улице в национальной одежде. А мы можем потерять, даже то, что смогли сохранить в бабушкиных сундуках и в музеях. Поэтому нужно уже сейчас формировать в детях уважительное отношение к национальной культуре и развивать интерес к познанию культуры, традиций и искусства. Наша задача состоит в том, чтобы сохранить уникальную культуру удмуртского народа. Удмуртская народная одежда конца 19 – начала 20 века чрезвычайно разнообразна по своей форме, используемому материалу, художественному оформлению, она неповторимым языком выражает эстетический вкус народа. Но молодое поколение удмуртов стало забывать свои корни, оно теряется в толпе китайской штампованной одежды, они перестали быть носителями своей самобытной культуры. Мы стараемся популяризировать наш национальный колорит среди молодежи. Для этого организуем конкурсы красоты «Чеберина» (Удмуртская красавица), в школе с 2012 года работает ДО «Дарали», где девушки 8-11 классов занимаются пошивом одежды в этно стиле и демонстрируют её на конкурсах разного уровня, шьем школьную форму в этно стиле. Но хотелось бы более системно подойти к данной проблеме и приобщить детей к миру культуры национального костюма через создание и постановку театрализованных представлений коллекций моделей одежды в этно стиле. Для этого на базе школы мечтаем создать театр –студию этнической моды «Коштан» (Модница).Но чтобы воплотить мечту в жизнь у школы не хватает средств. Надеемся, что ваша потрясающая организация нам поможет осуществить мечту.

Moscow (Non-active) – "На счету каждая секунда"

2018-06-16T00:00:00Z

Наш проект "На счету каждая секунда", мы студенты ДВГМУ создали данный проект на базе нашего замечательного вуза. Цель данного пректа: Акцентировать внимание учащихся 9-11 классов на важной роли первой неотложной помощи при внезапной остановки сердца, асфиксии (удушье) инородным телом, артериальном и венозном кровотечении. Сформировать представление об основных базовых навыках оказания первой помощи. Мы группа инициативных студентов во главе с нашим руковадителем, ходим по школам с манекеном и обучаем школьников неотложной помощи. Проводим не только теоретическую, но и практическую подготовку, каждый школьник отробатывает навыки на манекене.Данный проект долгосрочный, мы планирум охватить, не только школы, но и не медицинские вузы, сады, сузы, обучение граждан на улицах и тд. Я являюсь создателем и участником данного проекта.

Moscow (Non-active) – ДарыМузыки (Инклюзивные программы)

2018-06-16T00:00:00Z

Я развиваю свой проект ДарыМузыки.Одним из направлений стали занятия музыкой с особенными людьми.С сентября меня пригласили вести мою Музыкальную Лабораторию с группой актеров с особенностями развития , в том числе слабо -слышащими, глухими и слепо-глухими. Мне очень интересно с ними вместе творить, искать,пробовать.Я постоянно в поиске новых путей и решений.У меня есть немного музыкальных инструментов, которые помогают нашей музыкальной коммуникации.Я тщательно отбирала их из тех, что у меня были до этого, так как для занятий с глухими людьми важны хорошие резонирующие свойства и их ритмы человек должен ощущать своим телом. Глухой и особенно слепо-глухой не получает звуковой реакции обратно ( а слепо-глухой даже зрительно-звуковой) от своих действий,движений.Это словно говорить в пустоту, очень тяжело и одиноко.И так я пришла к выводу о необходимости какой-либо поверхности, общей для всех нас, через которую они бы могли воспринимать друг друга, как обычные слышащие музыканты.Сейчас мы работаем за обычным столом ( причем подходит не каждый) и с помощью бумвокерсов (это такие Музыкальные пластиковые трубки). Они выступают в роли резонатора, и так идет наш музыкально-ритмический диалог или ансамбль,и глухой человек тогда может «слышать» руками другого и других, может реагировать на звук (точнее вибрацию другого) создавать и участвовать в ансамбле. но стол - это не живой инструмент, потому что когда прикасаешься к живому музыкальному инструменту - это абсолютно другие ощущения, другие впечатления и вдохновение.Он живой. он реагирует на твои прикосновения, на твоё настроение,он как Друг, и возвращает тебе обратно твой звук (вибрацию) - мягкий, настойчивый, твёрдый или нежный.Много-много вариантов. И моя мечта-купить еще музыкальные инструменты , которые помогут в таких инклюзивных занятиях.

South Shore – Nathans Nuisance Nature Wildlife Management

2018-06-16T00:00:00Z

Hi my name is Nathan Lavigne and my awesome idea is a wildlife management company called Nathans Nuisance Nature. As time goes on and land is developed, people come into contact with wild animals more frequently. When this happens, people can be exposed to a wide array of diseases such as dysentery and botulism. Wild animals may also loose their natural fear of people making them dangerous and unpredictable. Nathans Nuisance Nature favours relocation over termination. When an animal is causing a problem it can usually be live trapped and relocated if it is healthy and shows no signs of disease. When an animal is diseased or acting aggressively and cannot be relocated it must be terminated. What makes Nathans Nuisance Nature different from other wildlife management company's, is the fact that all humanely terminated animals are skinned and processed into pelts. Pelts can be made into goods such as hats and mittens. Animals are then re-purposed into the fur trade. The fur trade generates over 300 million dollars of revenue for the Canadian economy every year.

Cass Clay – Preserving & Promoting Lakota OFF The Rezs

2018-06-15T00:00:00Z

All Native languages, including Lakota, are in serious danger of extinction. Spoken language speaks the soul of a People & their culture. We lose speakers, especially fluent speakers, daily. The average age of our remaining fluent speakers is over 70. We need to reduce that! We have a free class in Bismarck, ND that meets every Wednesday in the Veterans Memorial Public Library. Our teacher is a certified Lakota Language Teacher. We gift him for his help. We need books & other such materials - the dictionary alone is $50 + tax. The workbooks we need are about $40 each. And so on. Natives in the US have the worst economic statistics of all groups. We simply can't afford to buy the books & supplies we need to successfully teach our class. Some of us get government assistance to live; others work at low-wage jobs. I am self-employed but spend a great amount of time & what money I can spare helping my People at no cost to anyone (except me). Currently, we make scans or photocopies of my books to pass around. This is not a good way to proceed with this vital work, because there aren't enough books for everyone to have one. Much is lost without the entire book to refer to, when someone is learning. Cultures are only truly expressed through their languages. Each language expresses that culture's soul. Most of any culture cannot be expressed accurately in another language. It is vital to preserve our Native languages. Once the spoken language is gone, it cannot be recreated. Extinct the spoken language & extinct its culture. Our Indigenous holocaust has continued for over 500 years. This money would help us help more people to speak - & now, to read & write - Lakota, OFF the Rez. Despite laws that say our Native languages are to be taught in the public schools, there are no classes off the Rez here. This $1,000 grant would enable us to increase the number of speakers & reduce the average age of them.

Sofia (Non-active) – Bus Stops into Monuments of National Pride

2018-06-14T00:00:00Z

It is my strong belief that public spaces need to evoke national pride. Bus stops around the city are probably some of the most used facilities, yet some of the most neglected ones, especially in neighbourhoods outside of the city centre. Therefore, I want to focus my project on promoting patriotism through painting images of famous Bulgarians on some of the most unkempt bus stops. Ideally, each painting will be placed on a boulevard or street that already has the name of a national hero, poet, ruler, etc. Apart from a portrait of each personality, there will also be a signature quote from them. This is surely an awesome way to bring some life into uncared-for public spaces, while "teaching" national history and pride.

Glasgow – Free Friday Fives

2018-06-14T00:00:00Z

We will be able to continue to provide football and other fun opportunitiesfor 12 to 17 year olds as a diversionary tactic to help reduce vandalism and other anti social behaviour. We have storage containerson the grounds if St Angela's Primary schoolin Darnley that allows us to store football goals, bibs, football's and other items like tug of war ropes. We are all volunteers and have had an immediate impact with this project with a regular 30 to 35 young people attending who otherwise may be walking around the streets with nothing to do. There are no open public facilities in this local area so we are trying to maximise what us available - mainly two local primary schools. The whole project is awesome as young people from this group have now become volunteers with us.

San Jose, CA – The SJMQT Mural Project

2018-06-12T00:00:00Z

The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles (SJMQT) proposes to create a public mural on the front exterior of the Museum's building. The SJMQT Mural Project will enhance an unused space on the building that is vulnerable to graffiti. In addition, the mural will help pedestrians and other people from the community showcase what people may find in the Museum. The Museum is located in the SoFA neighborhood, downtown San Jose's arts and cultural district, and a mural will add to the artistic aesthetic of the community. Currently the Museum's exterior does not portray the exhibitions and artwork inside, and the Museum would like to use the mural to make the Museum more inviting for the public, as well as embracing and appreciating public art for all to enjoy.

Louisville, KY (Non-active) – Project Uncaged + Sarabande in Youth Detention

2018-06-11T00:00:00Z

Our unique project brings together "Project Uncaged," Metro Louisville Youth Detention Services (YDS), Sarabande books, and UofL's Commonwealth Institute of Kentucky (CIK) to provide trauma-informed, arts-based programming for girls in juvenile detention while amplifying girls' voices in local policymaking, media, & research. In the U.S., girls are taken into custody primarily for running away, truancy, and substance use: 3 of the most common symptoms of abuse. Girls are also more likely than boys to have been victims of sexual assault and to have mental illness diagnoses. Unfortunately, the juvenile justice system struggles to adequately meet girls' needs. In response, Tasha Golden began in 2012 to develop a research-based curriculum, "Project Uncaged," that offers gender-responsive programming while forging creative opportunities for girls to inform local decisions. Having conducted programs in OH and IN, she began running week-long intensives in YDS in 2016. In 2017, Golden partnered with Sarabande Books to publish an anthology of poetry from YDS girls, available online & at Carmichael's. The book was mailed with customized action steps to Louisville judges, the Mayor's office, local/state legislators, and community leaders. Because YDS is striving to improve programming, they requested that Project Uncaged operate in YDS on an ongoing basis in 2018. So Project Uncaged again partnered with Sarabande Books; we now run twice-weekly workshops in YDS as part of girls' JCPS school day. Workshops teach expressive writing, poetry, songwriting, and coping skills while providing group discussion, mentoring relationships, and true local influence via publication & amplification. Our project received coverage from WFPL & Louisville Mag, with promise of even more public connection via upcoming events. Workshops will result in more Sarabande books, program evaluation by CIK, & analysis of girls' writing to help the city recognize girls' assets & needs.

Libraries (Non-active) – Reading Corner to Deconstruct Gender Roles

2018-06-11T00:00:00Z

Melissa Network is a grassroots organization, a network for migrant and refugee women living in Greece. It aims to promote empowerment and active citizenship, and to build a bridge of communication with the host society. Melissa's community center has a pool of more than 120 women attending its activities and psycho-social program on a daily basis. The majority of women have escaped structural economic, political and social violence as well as health and education systems that did not guarantee the future they wished for. Although their access to education has been limited if not existent, Melissa’s participants have expressed their interest in accessing books and attending a book group. The Reading Corner to Deconstruct Gender Roles aims to provide a space where women will have access to books, culture, and an opportunity to express their opinions and thoughts about global issues. Women will have access to books in their mother tongues and storytelling options will be proposed for women who never had a chance to learn to read and write. In addition, women will be provided with other tools for expressing their opinions, experiences and thoughts such as photos, pictures, music and paintings. What our grantee has to say: "Melissa's vision of society is not as a collection of isolated cells, but as a beehive of creativity, communication and exchange. Having a reading corner with many books from all around the world as a collective, safe space will enrich Melissa's participants creative and story-telling capacity." What our trustees have to say: "This project is a new initiative for Melissa Network and will provide a unique and enriching opportunity for its participants." "An inspiring project that seeks to use literacy and dialogue to empower a group of women largely disenfranchised from education and opportunity."

Awesome Without Borders (Non-active) – KIOO New York

2018-06-11T00:00:00Z

We are KIOO Project. Pronounced “KEY-oh,” our name means ‘mirror’ in Swahili and reminds us about the power of reflection—literally & figuratively. We advance gender equality in economically challenged communities by teaching photography to girls who, in turn, teach photography to boys. Girls build self-confidence while improving their leadership & presentation skills, while boys respect & value the girls in their communities. During our 2017 Ethiopia workshop, the girls went into the community to photograph portraits of the villagers. A group of girls & one boy gathered around Teshfanesh, our 13-year-old student, while she photographed a teenage girl. Babita, our ED & photography teacher, mimed to add the boy from the gathered group into the portrait setting. The crowd of girls giggled as the girl & boy were photographed together. Afterwards, while back in the classroom to discuss the lesson, Teshfanesh picked the portrait of the girl & boy as her favorite. The norm in Ethiopian society is for men & women not to interact – not to walk together or sit next to or talk to each other. Teshfanesh internalized this practice to mean she was not equal to boys. However, seeing an image of a girl standing next to a boy showed her that was not the case. It was possible for a female to stand side by side with a male to show that they were actually equals. In July, we are bringing this same awesome, powerful experience to children in New York City by partnering with PowerPlay NYC, an organization that keeps girls active & provides a safe space to raise self-confidence and foster a healthy & well-balanced lifestyle through sports participation & mentorship. Girls will first learn photographic techniques. They will also get trained on how to teach others, lead a session, command a room & work together as a team. Afterwards when the boys join the workshop, they will learn photography from these newly-minted teachers. We picture equality.

Minas Gerais (Non-active) – Translado: narrativas trans da Av. Pedro II

2018-06-11T00:00:00Z

Translado é um projeto que registra e fortalece identidades, territórios e memórias de travestis e mulheres trans da Av. Pedro II de Belo Horizonte. Com o objetivo de empoderar a população LGBT, o projeto realiza diversas oficinas para discutir os temas e criar narrativas que fazem um contraponto às representações estereotipadas e preconceituosas veiculadas hegemonicamente. O resultado do trabalho é um livro e uma plataforma online com as histórias e imagens das travestis, produzidos por elas mesmas. Este livro será lançado em um evento de rua, no dia 17 de junho como uma forma de dialogar com a comunidade de Belo Horizonte sobre a causa e democratizar o acesso das pessoas ao material produzido. Contamos com a parceria do NaAção, um co-working social na Av Pedro II, para auxilio do local; do cursinho-social TransEnem, que auxilia pessoas trans a prestar vestibular, responsáveis pela comida e bebida; os blocos Garotas Solteiras e Alô Abacaxi, que levantam a bandeira LGBT em suas festas e a Gaymada, que promove jogos e convivência de LGBTs nos espaços públicos; para as atrações. Iremos fazer uma Festa Junina Queer, chamada de Queerdrilha, aproveitando a data e o caráter agregador dessa festa. Acreditamos que um mundo incrível é aquele em que o respeito rege as conexões das pessoas e vemos um caminho a ser percorrido para que pessoas LGBTs sejam respeitadas. O Brasil é o país com mais mortes e assassinatos da população LGBT no mundo (Transgender Europe) e Minas Gerais é o segundo estado com mais morte do país (Grupo Gay Bahia). Só este ano, de 2018, 153 mortes de LGBTs já foram registradas no Brasil. Contribuímos para reverter essa realidade ao registrar e fortalecer outras narrativas e representações da população LGBT e promover a conexão das pessoas com essa comunidade. Uma das causas da LGBTfobia é justamente a falta de informação, o problema da história única como diz Chimamanda Amanda Dich, em seu TED. É por isso que precisamos reverberar outras histórias.

Newburgh, NY – The Together We Can Time Bank

2018-06-10T00:00:00Z

Launched in January 2018, Together We Can is a TimeBanking Chapter specifically for the City of Newburgh. TimeBanks are made up of members who exchange their time and skills with other members at an equal value: 1 hr of one member’s skill in exchange for 1 hr of another member’s skill. Member profiles and exchanges are recorded in Community Weaver, TimeBank USA’s online platform. TimeBanking recognizes that everyone has a unique talent to contribute, redefines work to include civic engagement, is built on reciprocity and engenders a common respect and care, noticeably lacking in much of our culture. TimeBanking and its sister, HourExchanges, are helping to restore neighborliness and neighborhoods throughout the world, with a combined presence of over 600 chapters and 50K members in the US alone . For Awesome Newburgh grant, we propose to grow Together We Can Time Bank into a Core Community of 100 members over a years time. While we will engage all community members, this Awesome Foundation grant will allow us to focus our outreach efforts on Newburgh's 1,607+ people who are un- and underemployed peoples and the 9,000 people living in poverty with a team of core timebanking members. For more information on how a timebank works, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB8ifVJ34JU #timebanknewburgh

Vegan (Non-active) – Youth Animal Rights Conference (yARC2018)

2018-06-10T00:00:00Z

YVA’s next project is a Youth Animal Rights Conference (yARC) which will run in September this year. yARC aims to create an empowering and engaging youth space where young people can open their minds to a more nuanced and complex understanding of animal rights and its position alongside other social justice movements. Working with the theme “"IMAGINE: Envisioning an Ideal World."” yARC will bring together speakers and content which encourages young people to build their own vision of a fair and equal future, and understand how they can work together to accomplish it. yARC aims to be a radically inclusive and actively engaging conference where young humans from all backgrounds and perspectives can hope and plan for a fairer society. After already completing an extremely successful leadership and development program in March 2018 (www.yva.org.au/catalyst), this next project from YVA aims to capitalise on the momentum generated from Catalyst and build the groundworks for an event which will continue long into the future. With a great team behind us and an ever-growing network of support and participants, YVA is in a unique position to inspire and support the next generation of changemakers in the vegan community.

Newcastle – If You Don’t Measure It, You Can’t Manage It

2018-06-08T00:00:00Z

Newcastle Cycleways Movement promotes bicycle riding as a primary mode of transport, for all of the attendant benefits including improved fitness and mental health, reduced road congestion, much lower environmental impact and reduced transport costs. Studies and surveys repeatedly show that 70% of people who don’t currently ride a bike would do so if it perceived to be safer. Together with the Heart Foundation, the Tom Farrell Institute for the Environment and others, we have proposed that the CycleSafe Network be constructed by the state government throughout Newcastle and northern Lake Macquarie, connecting 90km of existing routes with 160km of new ones, as the most cost-effective transport infrastructure project for our region. NCM is represented on the Cycling Advisory Committees of both Councils, and has proposed collecting bike usage data on their behalf. In the past, this has taken the form of bike counts at specific locations for limited morning hours once or twice a year. We would like to dramatically increase the quantity and quality of the data by using automatic bike counters to cover longer hours and a greater number of locations. Both councils have indicated a high level of interest in the data, and will likely agree to purchase it on an ongoing basis, thereby providing a modest income stream for our organisation.

Seattle, WA – The End-FLUenza Project

2018-06-07T00:00:00Z

The Flu Exterminators will make way through to low income after school facilities. We will be offering empowerment to the children through education with our exciting presentations from our Flu Exterminators. This includes a hand-washing program (drown a bug, save a life), education on actions to keep flu from your family as well as vaccine access. We learned through recent studies that most families are too busy to get a flu shot or intended to, but never made it due to time or access. We will be bringing the Flu Vaccine to them at NO COST. This initiative is really going to be bug dropping! We cannot wait to put these Flu strains behind bars for life! We will be drowning the flu bug and saving lives!

Oakland, CA (Non-active) – Good Grief Zine

2018-06-07T00:00:00Z

Good Grief is a zine about queerness and healing. The idea for the project came from my own experience in recovery for an eating disorder. Many of the resources offered to me were designed with straight, cisgendered people in mind. As a non-binary queer femme, I felt invisible to those that were supposed to provide resources. Instead, I leaned on my queer community for support and was sent pieces of writing, exercises and ideas dug up from the deepest corners of the internet. In that spirit of community, this project is also deeply informed by observations and personal experiences of queer communities processing grief and engaging in mutual aid after the Orlando Pulse Shooting and the Ghost Ship Fire. Queer folks often lean on their chosen queer families as much as or more than their biological ones and, at our best, we show up for one another in remarkable ways. Good Grief brings together practical and artistic solutions for, and reflects on, healing and community building. Good Grief will not only provide inspiration but will also include activities and reflective exercises to help readers create their own self or community care action plans. Good Grief includes work by incarcerated womxn participating in an arts program through the California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP). Proceeds from the sale of the zine will go to CCWP. I have included two images, though most of the work is in written form. Please let me know if you'd like to read some samples!

Liverpool (Non-active) – Plastic in our Canals

2018-06-06T00:00:00Z

Last summer I was part of a research expedition sailing around the UK sampling for micro plastics. During the trip we visited the capital ports of the UK doing outreach work with the public - I use plastic marine litter as an art resource with young people to encourage conversations about single use plastics. In Edinburgh we had access to two labs and their micro scopes enabling me to photograph micro plastics. I want to continue with this research work by canoeing the North West canal system, picking up litter and taking water samples to look for micro plastics. I have already started near to my home in Macclesfield, picking up litter, and developing my own protocol to collect and analyse the micro plastics. I am in contact with several researchers working with micro plastics, in Plymouth and Heriot Watt universities, the latter having kindly donated me a smartphone desktop microscope. My intention is to travel extensively in the canal system of Cheshire, Lancashire and Greater Manchester, contributing my data to the global plastic litter map. This data may also help identify where this litter comes from to enable local communities to tackle the issue. Marine, river and domestic waters are already being researched for micro plastics, but not the canal system to my knowledge. Our canals are fed by run offs from the neighbouring environment and although canal water is not part of of our agriculture or aquaculture, eventually like all water sources, they do run into the sea. As a keen outdoors person, my intention is to take camping gear and water collection analysing equipment with me, doing the science as I go. A natural networker, I will be speaking to the public en route, keeping a blog and updating on social media. I already have several people who are committed to making small monthly donations to pay for my food etc. As a scientist and artist, and competent writer, I will also be writing for magazines etc - 2 articles already published.

Annapolis, NS (Non-active) – French Tourism Booklet on Annapolis Royal & Area

2018-06-06T00:00:00Z

Genealogy Tourism, sometimes called roots tourism, is a segment of the tourism market consisting of tourists who have ancestral connections to their holiday destination. These genealogy tourists travel to the land of their ancestors to reconnect with their past and "walk in the footsteps of their forefathers". We are fortunate to have strong ancestral connections with France, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Acadie and parts of the US such as Louisiana and Maine. In 2017, from 16,000 to 18,000 people visited the Visitor Information Centre in Annapolis Royal. We are developing a French booklet that will cover the history of the area, the many cultural and heritage assets, the activities, and the international and provincial prizes that have been won over the years. What is unique about thisproject is that the presenters are from the home town of Pierre Duguas de Mons who helped to establish Port Royal. They are in a position to personally explore both of these big book ends in history and to deliver the first French tourism materials to the Town and area.

San Francisco, CA – Trace Evidence

2018-06-06T00:00:00Z

Trace Evidence is an art exhibition at Minnesota Street Project in San Francisco during the month of September 2018, in conjunction with the Global Climate Action Summit, also taking place in San Francisco. Visual artists from China and the U.S. Bay Area will be exhibited who are considering issues of environmental change. We are interested in the exhibition as a platform for cross-cultural conversation about climate change here in San Francisco. Americans gaze over to China and see the physical conditions produced by late capitalism magnified because of the scale and speed of development. China’s processes of industrialization and urbanization have degraded their environment in parallel fashion to US industrialization but, due to its rapid progress, are uniquely perceptible. Thinking with professor Timothy Morton, we conceive of climate change as a hyperobject; its entirety can never be seen, yet it affects everything. How are artists taking the visual elements of climate change, pollution and extraction and making them accessible? How are artists trying to see this thing that is impossible to see, but felt everyday? Climate change is a form of slow violence, harming and displacing people, doing violence without acting at the speed violence usually occurs; climate change forces us to rethink timescales and perception. The work we will show in this exhibition deals with these issues on different levels of directness; the work offers the opportunity to meditate on the questions and be in a sensible relationship to landscape and environment, while others more critically expose the violence of extraction and the factors at work in climate change. A public panel discussion will be held during the week of the summit to discuss environmental issues of extraction, the connection between the violence of landuse and peoples, pollution as a tool for modern colonialism and the efforts Chinese and American governments are making to combat climate issues.

Boston, MA – Blockchain STAR Names To Find SHARK Aliens

2018-06-06T00:00:00Z

Look up at the night sky. Almost none of the stars you see have names. Our mission is to allow people like you to choose meaningful names for those stars, in the coolest way possible... As space missions become increasingly ambitious and blossom into reality, it becomes ever more vital for the public to pay attention. Why? Because when these historic events do eventually take place, it is crucial that all people benefit from our collective inheritance of the universe, not just a select few with the means and technological access. The vision of the Astro Ledger Institute is to use creativity and collaboration to bring these abstract issues back down to earth. The first step in this process is our project of community-driven star names, which will likely result in a fun de facto catalog of star names (particularly considering the vacuum of secure and democratic star-naming alternatives). By allowing regular netizens to name actual stars and new planets, we are instilling an appreciation for astronomy in the broader public - and nurturing an awareness of our collective stake in the Solar System. THE ASTRO LEDGER INSTITUTE INSPIRED BY THE INSTITUTE OF HIGHER AWESOME By distributing naming rights via open auctions we expect that the income earned from sales will give us the opportunity to use the revenue in creative ways. Inspired by the Institute of Higher Awesome, we will accept grant applications from the public and disburse profits among projects that advance our vision. We’ll probably fund cool space-themed educational outreach projects. But if we get millions of dollars you’d better believe we’ll put out an RFQ for a ROBOT SUBMARINE space probe mission scouring the oceans of Jupiter’s moon Europa for SHARK ALIENS!

South Bend, IN – ReForest South Bend

2018-06-05T00:00:00Z

The effects of trees on cities are just now starting to be understood. A healthy tree canopy provides cities a multitude of benefits including but not limited to energy conservation, improving air quality, controlling traffic speed, absorbing and filtering storm water, and improving walkability. Trees also add to quality of place. The benefits of urban trees are fully utilized when planted in the tree lawn between a sidewalk and streets. Planting new trees in the tree lawn parallel to the road helps our neighborhoods both functionally and aesthetically. It is no secret that South Bend is facing a big challenge ahead achieving our Long Term Control Plan limiting the amount of rain water entering out sewers. Having more thirsty trees in our tree lawns will help with this project our entire City faces. Trees placed in proper spacing on a tree lawn also provide a long term investment that improve with age. As they mature and grow, the trees begin to form a cathedral like ceiling to the street furthering the sense of place and improving safety. Through the past few years, South Bend has experienced a number of powerful and damaging thunderstorms. These storms have left our tree lawns vacant and bare. My project proposes that we begin the process of repopulating South Bend's tree lawns. With a hopeful partnership with the City of South Bend and local neighborhood associations, ReForest South Bend will focus on one or two neighborhoods hit hardest by the recent storms. Individual residents may apply to have a young tree given to them for planting in the tree lawn. The individual will plant the tree themselves and be given information on the best way to maintain and care for the young tree. Through the simple process of adding trees back into our urban neighborhoods, especially in neighborhoods that have recently lost mature trees, we can improve the quality of life in South Bend. An awesome City is one that embraces the powerful benefits of urban trees.

South Bend, IN – West.SB Murals

2018-06-05T00:00:00Z

We want more public art in South Bend, so we're going to create it. Over the past two years West.SB stories have hit a nerve with people who believe that our city has a rich history and even richer future. We want to communicate this ethos on a larger scale with bold murals on old buildings. We plan to paint two murals near downtown South Bend during Summer/Fall 2018. Our current locations are Hope Ministries on Lafayette, and Vested Interest, a burgeoning small business incubator on Sample Street. Our first two murals will center around the concept 'Rebuild.' This concept will be paired with bold imagery and aim to capture the zeitgeist of a post-industrial city making a historic comeback. We chose this concept 1) because it captures the current atmosphere in South Bend, and 2) because we believe that it communicates what South Bend is about to people around the country. To fully realize the potential of that second point, we will create a series of videos, photo essays, and written pieces communicating the mission behind our work as it progresses.

South Bend, IN – The Birthday Chair

2018-06-05T00:00:00Z

We propose to install a 12 ft tall giant red or yellow Adirondock chair at 911 Portage. The Birthday Chair will have a height ruler on one leg so families may come each year to take pictures of their children on their birthdays, to document their growth through the years and post on Facebook. Public art installations are a key part of our plan to activate Portage Midtown, a sustainable urban infill neighborhood demonstation project we are developing along Portage, in and around the corners of California and Rex. Through Portage Midtown we will demonstrate how high performance building techniques can be used to construct sustainable missing middle housing and small to moderate sized mixed use and commercial sturctures that produce as much energy as they use. We will integrate the principles of new urbanism, strong towns, complete streets, walkability, multimodal transportation, blue zones, placemaking, public art and health and wellness into Portage Midtown. Our goal is to show how all of these innovations can be used as a catalyst for urban infill that can be replicated throughouth the NNN, South Bend, and beyond. Phase one of Portage Midtown is under construction, six net zero homes being built on Shetterley Triangle, off the corner of Portage and California, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Phase two is the rennovation of 909 and 905 Portage (909 completed). Our challenge is to activate this stretch of Portage. We believe interactive public art is one key to such activation and that the Birthday Chair will help do this. In addition to the Birthday Chair, we will create Redbud Lane, a "green alley" behind 909 and 911. It will include picket fences on both sides of alley with a row of Redbuds inside each, and wildflowers along the 1 ft verge between fence and alley. We will also create a large wild flower garden with a single Redbud tree in the middle, surrounded by a patio made of chimney bricks reclaimed from 905 Portage, as a focal point.

Louisville, KY (Non-active) – OT3D: Improving Quality of Life in Older Adults

2018-06-04T00:00:00Z

As a board certified occupational therapist (OT), I've valued interventions that generate improving quality of life in the older adults I treat. A few years ago I was given the opportunity to be the supervisor of the Elder Mentor Project. The Elder Mentor Project was designed as an experiential learning project that provides occupational therapy students an opportunity to develop interactive reasoning skills and share lived experiences of older adults. It provides the student opportunities to gain insight into changes in client factors, occupational performance patterns (AOTA, 2014), contextual demands of housing, and environmental influences that emerge as one ages, and how these influence occupation (Bonder & Bello-Hass, 2009). The process was designed to allow students to take the lead in their learning experiences, and to work as a team, within a community, and with an older adult. To enhance the learning experiences of the students, the immersion in CAD and 3D printing was developed through a pilot program, OT3D (representing Occupational Therapy to the "3D" power). The pilot project involved a one-on-one mentorship of a community-dwelling elder on life skills and assistance in improving quality of life. I supervised 41 OT students in developing 3D printed items that would prove to be beneficial to the older adult population. Many of the items were complex in nature; however, the most meaningful items not only addressed the physical needs but also incorporated the psychosocial needs of the older adult. The project was evaluated on three levels: usability, client specificity, and affordability. This project served as a gateway to a new community resource, interprofessional collaboration and as inspiration for future occupational therapists to embrace the unique technology of 3D printing as a viable resource for adaptive equipment. Occupational therapists are essential in developing future technologies to improve all aspects of daily living for older adults.