Awesome Foundation - Projects

Gloucester, MA – Private Schooner Sail for LGBTQ+ Youth and Friends

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

The Cape Ann Pride Coalition has an offer from Gloucester's Schooner Adventure to host a private, safe-space sail for LGBTQ+ youth from around Cape Ann, ages 13-18, with adult chaperones and Adventure crew. LGBTQ+ youth are under increasing attack nationwide, and also being used as pawns in political debates they're not even able to vote in. They need supportive, safe, fun spaces, of their own--and this opportunity seems perfectly suited to combine Cape Ann's unique sailing culture and history and our great sense of community and valuing all young people. The cost for the private sale, which will take place in late June, sometime during Fiesta Weekend, is $2500-$3000, and up to 45-50 spaces could be made available to teens and their friends. With a $1000 grant from Awesome Gloucester (and, we hope a matching one from Awesome Rockport), we're confident we could raise the remaining amount and give these youth an experience they''ll never forget..

Gloucester, MA – Boxing for Parkinson's

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

Boxing for Parkinson's is a boxing program developed specifically for participants who struggle with their Parkinson's. It's a fun program that helps build and improve balance, strength, and a sense of community and support through a combination of boxing and strength training.

Newmarket – HUUG (Help Us Understand Grief) Camp

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

Our project focuses on the delivery of our HUUG (Help Us Understand Grief) summer camp offered through Hope House Community Hospice. Our HUUG camp offers specialized support to children, ages 7 to 12, primarily in Newmarket/Aurora, who have lost a loved one or have a loved one battling a terminal illness. Our camp provides an opportunity for children to interact in a positive environment and participate in activities designed to support their grief journeys. In Hope House’s HUUG summer camp, children have the opportunity to learn about, express, and understand their current grief. They learn a variety of skills that will help them with remembering a loved one or adapting to a change in a relationship because of a recent loss. The main benefits of the grief camp include learning coping skills that help children to understand and express their emotions, and building connections with others so participants are able to seek support when needed, while feeling that they are not alone in their experiences. HUUG Camp also includes fun traditional camp activities such as art workshops, music, games and baking, along with a number of field trips to offsite locations, such as Legoland Discovery Centre, Tree Top Trekking and Museum visits. The difference from traditional camps is that our HUUG camp also helps children to work through their emotions and share them with peers who also lost, or are in the process of losing, a parent, sibling or loved one. HUUG Summer Camp is offered at no cost to participants. For many Newmarket residents Hope House provides access, close to home, to specialized and unique hospice programs and supports, such as our HUUG summer camp. You can see how your funding will help support some of our community’s most vulnerable children and we want to thank you for that.

Rhode Island – HOMESPUN: BLACK SPINNERS IN RI

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

Awesome Foundation Rhode Island is supporting Tracy Jonsson-Laboy's upcoming fall project in which a a group of high school-aged youth will learn how wool cloth is made, and the history of husbandry, spinning, and crafts within the American BIPOC community. Tracy is giving the students opportunities to try shearing a sheep, to wash, spin and weave wool, and to learn how to knit. The students will be from the Providence Met school, and the project is a continuation of Tracy's mission create community around—and foster appreciation for—the historical and artistic BIPOC and Black Spinners in RI. Funds will assist with Tracy's own time as a working artist, materials for the program, and honorariums for guest practitioners.

Fleurieu – Seaford Secondary College Japan Odyssey

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

This year we will be taking 15 Seaford Secondary College students to Japan! The cohort consists of 4 male students and 11 female students. We have a diverse range of year levels attending from years 9-12. We also have one indigenous female student attending along with one male guardianship student. Many of these students haven’t ventured out of the Fleurieu let alone travelled overseas. Students will get the opportunity to live with an authentic Japanese family for 13 days whilst attending school daily at Morioka Chou High School which is our sister school. They will be fortunate enough to have a few days in Kyoto, Tokyo and they will also be spending a day in Disneyland. This experience provides such a unique cultural experience for our students, as they learn the Japanese way of life, immersing themselves into their culture. Morioka Chuo High School is our sister school over in Japan. Each year approx. 40 students stay within the Fleurieu area with home stay families. Home stay families take our international guests as well as our teachers into our local area, promoting our tourism industry within the Fleurieu Peninsula. Each year we ensure they visit Victor Harbor, undertake strawberry picking at Mount Compass, attend the Willunga Markets to purchase and sample local products such as the local jams and also visiting the local eateries and cafes, promoting our tourism industry to our international friends. On the weekends the school takes the international teachers to our local wine region, this is always a hit for our guests, and they often purchase our local wines and enjoy the days meeting and greeting locals within our community. Families take the students to the souvenir shops to purchase KI products and also invite them to purchase Indigenous souvenirs to take home a keepsake of our Indigenous culture. As a school we take the students on various excursions including the wildlife experience at Urimbirra, Victor Harbor and also Port Noarlunga Aquatics.

Georgetown, MA – Georgetown Holiday Celebration

2024-05-29T00:00:00Z

For the past five years, although one year we couldn't hold the event because of Covid, the community has come together to welcome in the holidays with our tree lighting and lighting of the Star of David at Harry Murch Park. Every year we have tried to make this an even better event, but with better comes the challenge of budget. This year, we are scheduling our event for Sunday, December 3 4:00-6:00. This year we are bringing together the tradition of Holiday on Main Street with our local businesses to incorporate their efforts to bring people down town. We are partnering with our businesses to help them and bring our community together on the streets of Georgetown for a full day. We are inviting people to visit our local businesses starting at 10am, our event starts at 4:00, and we have the Santa tour going throughout the day as well. Should be a fun day for everyone. We have dedicated funds towards marketing the day to include flyers and banners that will be hung around Georgetown. We also spend money on the wreaths that go onto the poles, food and drink, and other small items. But this year, we are also trying to purchase a Menorah as our Star of David has grown old and is somewhat small. We are finding this to be quite expensive and would love to have that stand beside the town Christmas Tree which we planted this year. We feel that this is a great event for our community as it brings everyone in our town together to celebrate the beginning of what should be the happiest time of the year, while at the same time helping our businesses that work so hard to stay afloat and earn a living. Thank you for your consideration and welcome everyone down to the holiday festivities on Dec 3

Georgetown, MA – Team E.o.S Youth Basketball Organization

2024-05-29T00:00:00Z

Team E.o.S is a non-profit youth basketball team based out of Georgetown,Massachusetts. As an organization, we strive to promote positive relationships and responsible decision making while learning life skills through the game of basketball. The team was created by Zack Scenna and Mile Lucido who both attend the Georgetown Middle High School and have played youth sports in the town as well. As we enter our second year, our focus is to continue to build strong student-athletes as well as participate in high-quality tournaments throughout the New England area and out of state to help foster the future goal of collegiate basketball.

Yerevan – Սրտիկ Անտառի հիմնում

2024-05-29T00:00:00Z

Սպիտակի 1988թ․-ի ավերիչ երկրաշարժից հետո, մարդիկ կարիքից դրդված օգտագործել են անտառները իրենց կարիքների համար, մասնավորապես՝ որպես վառելանյութ և չեն տնկել նոր ծառեր, ինչը հանգեցրել է անտառների մասնակի վերացմանը և կենդանիների մի քանի տեսկաների միգրացիայի՝ օրինակ եղնիկների ու արջերի, որոնք հաճախ են հանդիպել մեր անտառներում։ Քանի որ, անտառները համարվում են երկրագնդի թոքերը կարելի է ասել խաղտվել է մաքուր օդ ունենաուլու մեր պահանջը։ Մենք ցանկանում ենք տնկել <<Սրտի>> տեսք ունեցող անտառը, որը տեսնալի կլինի թե Սպիտակ քաղաքից և մյրուղուց /Երևան- Վանաձոր Մ3/։ Այն կլինի խորհրդանշական քանի որ այնտեղ կարող են այցելել և տնեկլ անվանական ծառեր, այս կերպ և կնդլայնիվի անտառը և կունենաք սաղարթախիտ անտառ։ Սոցալական ցանցերով ակտիվ գովազդայնի արշավ կսկսենք և կփորձենք թե ներսի և թե դրսի տուրիստների ներգարավել անտառի հետագա տարածման համար։

Grande Belo Horizonte – Virada Climática BH

2024-05-29T00:00:00Z

Nós somos o Movimento Virada Climática: um movimento composto por coletivos e pessoas da sociedade civil unidos por uma Belo Horizonte mais sustentável. Neste ano de 2024 estamos organizando a 2º Virada Climática de BH. Este é um evento que vai acontecer no dia 08/06, no Parque Municipal Américo Renne Gianetti, com o objetivo de convocar a sociedade belorizontina a exercer a cidadania climática. Sabemos da importância da soma de ações de todos os atores sociais para superar o desafio da mudança do clima, por isso abrimos um edital aberto a propostas de ações pela sociedade. Tivemos mais de 70 propostas e gostaríamos de contemplar todas. Como usarei o dinheiro: Vamos usar o dinheiro para investir na realização de ações que solicitaram recursos e não temos como bancar e colocar alguns poucos materiais de divulgação (windbanners) que serão depois destinados para reutilização na fabricação de ecobags. Um pouco sobre mim: Meu nome é Julia Espeschit, sou mãe, ativista climática e idealista de um mundo melhor pra gente viver. Atuo no ativismo climático há 4 anos, colaborando com produtos científicos sobre o tema, participando de espaços de discussão e de elaboração de políticas públicas para o clima na minha cidade. Qual é a cidade e bairro ou regional onde o projeto acontece? (Se essa pergunta não fizer sentido para o projeto, escreva "irrelevante") O evento vai acontecer no dia 08/06/2024, em Belo Horizonte. Valor aprovado: R$ 1.055,94 para utilização em peças gráficas (windbanners).

Chicago, IL – Guardians of the Earth and Sky

2024-05-28T00:00:00Z

Come on an adventure with the Four Celestial Guardians: the White Tiger of the West, the Black Tortoise of the North, the Azure Dragon of the East, and the Vermilion Bird of the South! Explore seasons, elements, colors, and constellations through storytelling, music, and dance in this interactive performance that will take place in Calumet Park on July 13 (as part of the Calumet Park Centennial Celebration), Palmisiano Park on July 27, and in the Garden of the Phoenix on August 17. Altogether, this multicultural cast is fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, French, English, Japanese, Korean, and Swahili – and the performance is created in collaboration with participants of all ages, who will be invited to speak, sing, dance, and create artwork with us. Art supplies will be provided to create headpieces to wear in this all-ages event inspired by artworks at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art. The Awesome Foundation grant will help cover artist fees for collaborators on this project. https://irenechsiao.wordpress.com/

Chicago, IL – Euripides' Medea by Bump in the Night Theatre

2024-05-27T00:00:00Z

Bump in the Night Theatre is Chicago's newest horror theatre group. We have spent the last year hosting events and building a community of devoted horror/theatre fans. We are excited to be producing our first live show, the Greek tragedy Medea! In this exciting production, we take the well known ancient story and spice it up to enhance the magic and the horror. So much BLOOD! This tragic tale of a betrayed woman who kills her children to spite her husband and take back her power is probably one of the more well known ancient Greek stories. With our version, we hope to add to the mythos by expanding on details about Medea’s story from the original text. Medea is the granddaughter of Helios, the sun god. Her divine lineage is reflected in her power as a sorceress and priestess of Hecate. Originally this magic manifested as her use of herbs and potions. In our production, we will exaggerate this trait by adding telekinesis to her magical arsenal. Think Medea as Carrie. We will also be exploring her relationship to light and the sun as granddaughter of Helios. Culminating in a final scene of darkness that echoes modern found footage movies. We are also looking to draw direct connections between the ancient story and modern day female led horror movies. We will draw inspiration from movies such as Carrie, The Witch, The Craft, Midsommar, Suspiria and probably some others. Opening this Summer in Chicago, Medea will be a chance for our group, led by Artistic Director Garrett McCann, to explode onto the scene and leave a "horrific" impression on the Chicago theatre landscape. **We love it so much that despite not being our primary winner this month, we want to help it out with a $500 grant! -Awesome Chicago**

Miami, FL – Workforce Development and Educational Advancement

2024-05-22T00:00:00Z

Miami-Dade County is home to the largest Haitian diaspora in the world, and it is where two Haitian Americans in Miami started an ambitious project called The Haitian Community Platform. The goal of this platform is to create a lively center celebrating Haiti's rich cultural heritage while also advocating for the advancement of Haitians through educational and academic enrichment, entrepreneurship, and business support. At the core of this mission is the new "Workforce Development and Educational Advancement" initiative, which directly confronts the obstacles facing Haitian Americans and immigrants in Miami-Dade such as language barriers, scarcity of culturally relevant resources, and the lack of financial resources for education. The Haitian Community Platform's Academy, an online educational platform, is developing a wide-ranging program that equips individuals with hands-on training in coding, database management, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and other vital technical abilities for entry-level tech positions. However, it goes beyond just technical knowledge. Participants acquire the tools for real professional growth in technology through practical experience, mentorship, and career networking. The program curriculum is culturally attuned, providing language assistance and nuanced understanding, embracing the roots of the Haitian community. As we prepare to launch this transformative initiative that will prepare Haitians in Miami to enter entry-level tech positions, we invite others to join the journey in shaping a future where Haitians in Miami-Dade County can thrive in the tech field.

Washington, DC – Small & Strange - A Lil House Art Show

2024-05-20T00:00:00Z

On June 15, we plan to put on a 1 day massive house art show titled “Small & Strange” to support a mix of over 30 emerging and established local DC artists, musicians and creators in Washington DC. All of the creators are local to DC. Visual artists keep 100% of their sales and fees. Musicians and performers will be paid through funding from this grant. Noncommercial art exhibition spaces in DC have always been difficult if not impossible to find. Since the pandemic, DIY spaces and group living houses have become a rarity, significantly decreasing the ability of DC’s underground arts scene to thrive. Artists must either give up to 40-50% commission on their work, or if allowed to show, they must rally their patron following who may have to pay entry to a venue to see their work, or buy alcohol to generate funds that artists never see. This event will be different. We have over 30 confirmed local artists who will hang work on the inside and exterior private alley of our nearly empty house in Parkview DC (we are minimalists and move all our belongings into 1 room). There will be a live electronic cello performance, a full jazz set, local food vendors, and an on site tattoo artist. This will be the second iteration of this show. Last year we had over 20 artists exhibiting. Almost 90% of the artwork shown sold that night with proceeds going directly into the pockets of the artists themselves. This year the number of artists interested has tripled. We believe this show was a success because the artists and patrons were able to interact in person in an unpretentious and FUN environment. Imagine a city where artists could make a living without having to be represented by inaccessible galleries, or attach themselves to developers and corporate entities. Now imagine the ART those artists could make. Some day I’d like to help artists show their enormous beautiful pieces, but for now I’m happy keeping things SMALL & STRANGE.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Kingdom Classic 2

2024-05-20T00:00:00Z

In collaboration with NY FLIGHT 845, New City Parks, and the city of Poughkeepsie Parks and Recreations. Kingdom Classic 2, is a youth and community-centered ‘organized basketball in the parks initiative’. This initiative organizes youth basketball tournaments in parks across the city. Tournament participation and registration are at no cost to the city of Poughkeepsie youth and include tournament t-shirts, trophies, team photos, snacks, and drinks during games. Games take place on a rolling schedule from June to August at the following city of Poughkeepsie Parks; Malcolm X Park, Tubman Park, Pershing Avenue Park, and Wheaton Park.

Pittsburgh, PA – Demons in Pittsburgh featuring Kleztronica

2024-05-20T00:00:00Z

“Demons in Pittsburgh featuring Kleztronica” is an experimental Jewish dance party set to captivate all ages with explorations of Jewish mysticism and Yiddish culture through communal text study, music, and puppetry. The event features local Jewish artists in collaboration with Kleztronica, a collective of east coast artists blending Jewish folk and liturgical music with house and techno. This event will provide the local Pittsburgh Jewish community and its supporters with an opportunity to celebrate diasporic Jewish identities and cultures that are being created in the present. Many queer Jews in town are hungry for more opportunities to gather with one another outside of traditional Jewish spaces. Many non-Jews with Jewish friends and family are curious to see what new Jewish art is being created in this day and age. Throughout the evening, guests will be encouraged to participate through discussion, collective singing, and circle dances.

Vegan (Non-active) – Targeted Social Campaign to Grow JUSTIFY Community

2024-05-19T00:00:00Z

It may sound counterintuitive, but many people who get involved in animal research do so because they love animals. I was one of those individuals. Passionate about primate conservation and a Jane Goodall admirer, I became a student primate caretaker at Harlow Primate Lab during my undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, knowing little about what I was getting myself into. I was eventually diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the two years spent caring for the lab’s 500+ monkeys. Several years after leaving the lab, and after connecting with other former lab workers and supportive individuals, I began sharing about my experience on social media. Through this advocacy and storytelling, I began receiving messages from individuals who had worked in labs and who were grateful to feel heard and understood. Thus, the idea for JUSTIFY was born. JUSTIFY is powered by three passionate former animal lab workers, Maddie Krasno, Lindsay Oliver, and Mallory Cormier, alongside a growing community of supporters. Our dream is to make sure anyone involved in the world of scientific research feels supported, informed, and empowered to choose a path of kindness and empathy. A world where science thrives without compromising on compassion and ethics is possible, and we’re here to help make it happen. We believe that the more current and former animal lab workers that feel safe sharing their concerns and stories about the industry, the faster this industry will be phased out, saving both human and animal lives with human-relevant research. JUSTIFY's mission is to provide support and resources to current and former lab animal workers, create a platform to advocate for ethical scientific practices, and promote the use and development of non-animal-based research methodologies. For more info: https://linktr.ee/whenwejustify

Santa Cruz, CA – “We of the craft”: Poetry for Neurodiversity

2024-05-19T00:00:00Z

The Romantic poet Lord Byron writes, “We of the craft are all crazy... Some are affected by gaiety, others by melancholy, but all are more or less touched.” Kendall Grady will lead a poetry workshop to uplift voices that identify with neurodiversity, mental illnesses, mood disorders, and/or other categories of psychological and emotional difference. Developed inclusively for the general public and all experience levels, they will discuss works of poetry that document the experience of neurodiversity; engage in writing exercises; share works in progress; give/receive peer feedback; and make chapbooks. The main goal of this workshop is to foster mutual care and trust whereby we can become more intimate with those qualities of ourselves which may be under-recognized or undernourished. The secondary goal of this workshop is to learn from poetry in its interrogation of stigmas surrounding neurodiversity.

Kingston – The Woman With Threee Eyes

2024-05-16T00:00:00Z

This venture is a poetry book that is crafted with the truth telling stories of the shared human experiences, amplifying our connection to the earth and to each other. This is a project which prioritizes the concepts of co-creation, community, to curate a space to see each other and to honour the interconnection of all things. As someone who has studied community development, I understand that change cannot occur, sustainable change specifically cannot occur without a transformative and reflective mindset. This space, within the pages, is a space guided by 3 young women to spark reflection, to trigger an intention in the way we show up for ourselves and for each other, as fuel to feed the creatives in the community. How can we expect to treat each others, and this earth with love, gratitude and honour if we cannot see our own selves with that same lens? This book changes our consumption speed, forces us to slow down with intention and consciousness, to move with honour and reflection- which are all teachings that guide a sustainably equitable community. This collaborative poetry book is a project with 2 brilliant BIPOC women working along my side, a project which holds such sacred potential to enter community spaces and collaborate with other artists, this project steers the mind to learn and feeds the soul to heal. Have you ever read a poetry book, by 3 women? No ownership of the words, just shared ideas, to create a space of shared experiences, questions and guidance. This project curated by women, sparks curiosity, creativity, concioussness, and connection- the pillars of a community develoment agenda.

Philadelphia, PA – Summer Literacy Studio Theater Camp

2024-05-15T00:00:00Z

This year, Tree House Books, a North Philly children’s literacy nonprofit, is piloting an innovative new Theater Camp! This Theater Camp will help combat the “summer slide” that is seen primarily in our elementary and middle school students. Numerous studies show that students who don’t read over their summer vacations see a decline in their reading ability, which goes on to adversely affect other academic skills. By supplementing our traditional Summer Literacy Studio with Theater Camp, we know that we can fight off summer slide even more effectively. In a collaborative arts setting, students K-4 will be engaged in reading, writing, performing, and discussing—all necessary tools for successful literacy acquisition. However, unlike a traditional classroom setting, these students will learn while doing. Every camp attendee will also be dual enrolled in our Summer Literacy Studio to maximize learning. The camp will last two weeks and will be hosted in partnership with Yes And Collaborative Arts. Each day, the students will be split into age appropriate groups and will attend two artistic discipline classes, followed by an imagination class. These classes will include exercises that mesh visual and performing arts, prompt introspection, and inspire students to be as creative as possible. Students will be provided with free lunch and will also enjoy some recreational time. After lunch and rec time, students will participate in two more classes. Finally, all age groups will gather together and perform snippets of what they learned on that particular day. The entire program culminates in a show for friends and family that will allow students to showcase all of the exemplary skills that they have acquired. We anticipate impacting the children we serve in our pilot Theater Camp by not only helping to combat summer reading proficiency decline, but actually bolstering our student’s existing literacy skills.

Cass Clay – Canopy Peer Navigation Program

2024-05-15T00:00:00Z

The Canopy Peer Navigation Program is the first dedicated Peer Support initiative for people living with HIV in North Dakota. The mission of the Canopy Peer Navigation Program is to be relentless champions for people affected by HIV/AIDS and do all we can to help them thrive. Support is provided by Peer Navigators, who are compassionate and engaged folks living with HIV. They provide personalized support to others living with HIV, both on an individual basis and through the facilitation of group support meetings. We provide three HIV Peer Support meetings per month -- two online and one in-person (Fargo). Our group support meetings foster a sense of community, alleviate isolation, enhance educational opportunities, and facilitate better medication adherence among individuals living with HIV. As such, we are acutely aware of the importance of expanding our in-person support groups across North Dakota. Unfortunately, current funding cannot cover expenses related to refreshments, guest speakers, and location space to host meetings. Recognizing the invaluable role sharing a meal plays in building a sense of community and with full awareness of the disproportionate impact of poverty and hunger on our participants, we consider providing food an indispensable component of group support services. Our program goes beyond connecting people living with HIV to individuals with similar life experiences. It also addresses broader social determinants of health impacting participants by fostering a sense of community and actively linking participants to a spectrum of healthcare services and valuable resources. We incentivize group support meeting attendance and honor participants' contributions by providing gift cards, which also serve to enhance participants' ability to afford basic necessities.

Oahu, HI – Healing Trees Maui Guides Scholarship Fund

2024-05-15T00:00:00Z

I was inspired to create “Healing Trees: A Series of Free Forest Bathing Walks for Maui" as a response to last year's tragic wildfires. The series brings the mindfulness practice of forest bathing to the residents of Maui, many who are experiencing"the worst mental health disaster in our state's modern history." Healing Trees launched in March and will conclude on Arbor Day, November 2024, The monthly events in Maui's beautiful green spaces are free, with the option to donate to the scholarship fund. What is forest bathing? Forest bathing originated in Japan in the 1980s as a public health measure to address an epidemic of stress-related diseases caused by the country’s rapid urbanization. A growing body of scientific evidence since then has demonstrated that spending time immersed in forested areas or other natural settings has wide-ranging health benefits for body, mind, and spirit. On walks facilitated by forest therapy guides, participants are invited to engage with the environment with their senses, interact with others in the small group, and spend time in quiet contemplation. Community impact: guide training Besides serving those affected by the fires this year, another goal of the Healing Trees series is to attract and enlist several Maui residents interested in training to become certified forest therapy guides. The training will be conducted by the leading international organization in the field, the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy (www.anft.earth). The intention is for these locally based new guides to continue to support their community's ongoing recovery from the recent trauma with facilitated experiences in nature.. We have already received interest from 11 service-minded individuals and want to encourage these Mauians to begin the first part of their training (6 months online) as soon as possible. By doing so, they will be in position to participate in the 2nd part of the training (in-person) in May 2025 -- on Maui for the FIRST TIME!

Oahu, HI – Kupu Ka Niu, Kupu Ke Kanaka

2024-05-14T00:00:00Z

The project aims to leverage the successful initiation of a planting event as a foundation for cultivating deeper connections within our community and among our keiki. By engaging in the restoration of our coconut tree groves, participants will not only contribute to environmental conservation but also build a strong communal bond, rooted in the shared purpose of nurturing the land that sustains us.When we heal the coconut groves, we heal ourselves. We connect back to the Tree of Life, the Niu. With city approval, weʻll reforest coconut tree groves, reinforcing the cultural and environmental significance of the coconut tree in our community. To foster a sense of unity and shared purpose among volunteers, enhancing community bonds and inclusivity. To promote environmental stewardship and empathy through hands-on involvement in mitigating the CRB. To inspire ongoing volunteer engagement by demonstrating the tangible impact of their contributions. The coconut tree holds profound cultural and ecological importance in our community, symbolized by the adage "Kupu Ka niu, kupu ke kanaka." Through the act of reforesting, volunteers not only participate in ecological preservation but also in the reaffirmation of our cultural identity. This project seeks to build a bridge between cultural heritage and environmental responsibility, encouraging a collective effort towards sustainability and community resilience. Strengthened community relationships through shared activities and goals. Increased awareness and participation in environmental conservation efforts. A culture of empathy, inclusiveness, and kindness, fostered by a common commitment to land stewardship. By restoring coconut tree groves, our project aims to create a lasting impact on both the environment and the fabric of our community. We believe that through collective action, proper education we can over come the infestation of our old kupuna trees from the CRB.

Orlando, FL – Operation Ear Gem

2024-05-13T00:00:00Z

Operation Ear Gem is a site-specific, immersive installation and audio experience. Part scavenger hunt, part story, and part musical meditation, it uses locally-embedded, wooden QR code tiles to lead users through a 7-part audio journey engaging their senses, imagination, and location. Designed by filmmaker/musician Brent Bishop and artist/meditation facilitator Alexis Cohen, this experience will be accessible and free to anyone with a smart phone…and an adventurous spirit! Each station will feature an attractive, laser-cut, coaster-sized QR code. These tiny “gems” will be installed (with permission) in seven public spots—all within walking distance in a TBD neighborhood in Orlando (If possible, we’ll do the same in Oviedo). These gems ain’t thirsty. They crave not attention. While easy to find…they’ll be equally easy to miss for those preoccupied with…ya know…non-adventurey stuff. But for those intrepid souls who walk the world with eyes peeled and hearts open, the gems will leap right out…beckoning with their intriguingly etched catchphrase—Adventure, anyone? Those bold enough to scan the code will will be taken, via smartphone, to the first station in their imagination-fueled audio adventure. Each station will launch a unique, 3-5 minute audio track that blends music, storytelling, and guided meditation. The uplifting, playful, all-ages content will focus on nature, connection, and the user’s specific location. The series will touch on their immediate vicinity, their broader region, their continent…and their place in the Milky Way. Each gem will conclude with directions to the next gem in the series. Together, they’ll form a rough geographical hexagon, with one gem in the center. Regardless where a user starts, they will be able to complete the entire circuit. Operation Ear Gem’s simple, doable format will lavish a fun, free, unique, localized experience upon anyone sharp enough to spot it and bold enough to try it!

St. Paul, MN – Student Field Trip

2024-05-09T00:00:00Z

AwesomeStPaul is proud to announce our May 2024 grantee is Txuj Ci Lower School for tickets for Cirque Kalabante: Afrique en Cirque. According to ELL teacher Karin Vanzyl, who applied for the $1,000 grant, "I am a first grade ELL teacher, passionate about having kids go on field trips to augment their leaning and to give them an opportunity that we cannot provide in our school. My goal is also to expose our students to experiences that they might not know exist, and feelings they may not know they can have for the arts and live performances, the sciences and community experiences."

San Francisco, CA – Wilderness Education for Immigrant Students

2024-05-07T00:00:00Z

I am planning on taking 14 of my high school students from San Bruno, CA to Idaho this summer for environmental education on the Salmon River. My students come from all over the world (mostly Latin America) and are all low-income. I provide transportation, food and lodging on the road as well as the river trip. The students pay at most $50 each (because they have little to no money). I did this last year with 7 students and it was totally awesome. The kids learned amazing things and one of the 7 is actually now training to be a white water rafting guide. Here is what one student wrote about the experience: "Our trip is almost over and in a few hours I will be at home, but these vivid memories and indescribable sensations will definitely not let me forget what I experienced. This trip was very powerful and incredibly atmospheric and I'm sure most felt it. We worked as a team, took care of each other, constantly learned something new, and all this became possible only thanks to you. Thank you very much for this!" This project is not a school trip. It is too difficult to get a school board to approve of such an outing. Instead it is cobbled together by drawing on resources of three organizations that I volunteer for (Wild Science Explorers, Inspiring Connections Outdoors and Healing Waters). WSE provides the gear and science teacher, ICO provides the river guides and insurance, and HW provides odds and ends that I can't get from the other two groups). None of these organizations as funds to spare. They all operate on a shoestring. I am holding bake sales and begging friends and family for donations. I really need every bit of help that I can find to make this trip a reality.

South Bend, IN – Guzwoman Green Stuff

2024-05-06T00:00:00Z

Guzwoman Green Stuff is a leading brand of green juices committed to well-being and health. Our approach is based on creating high-quality natural beverages designed to boost your energy, strengthen your immune system, and enhance your quality of life. With fresh and nutritious ingredients, and a philosophy focused on transparency and integrity, Guzwoman Green Stuff is more than just juices; it's a step towards a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our Mission At Guzwoman Green Stuff, we want to be a positive influence on your journey toward a healthier lifestyle. Through our exceptional 100% natural juices, we hope to enhance your health and enjoyment of life. Our mission is to be your reliable partner in achieving a balanced and healthier lifestyle. Our Distinctive Approach • Pioneering Craftsmanship: Our natural juices are thoughtfully crafted, blending culinary expertise with nutritional science for a harmonious mix of flavor and health benefits. • Holistic Well-being: Guzwoman Green Stuff is more than a beverage; it's a lifestyle choice designed to fit seamlessly into your daily routine, promoting holistic well-being. • Transparency and Integrity: We are committed to transparency in our processes and ingredients, ensuring each bottle reflects the purity and quality associated with the Guzwoman brand. Why Choose Guzwoman Green Stuff? Choose Guzwoman Green Stuff for its quality, innovation, and commitment to your health journey. Embrace a beverage experience that goes beyond the ordinary, fostering a lifestyle of well-being and vitality. Raise a toast to a refined, health-conscious lifestyle with Guzwoman Green Stuff. Here's to a future filled with wellness, sophistication, and the enduring essence of Guzwoman Green Stuff. At Guzwoman Green Stuff, we offer juices with fresh flavors and unparalleled health benefits. With a potent blend of essential nutrients, our juices boost your energy and immune system. Each sip is a step toward your well-being.

South Bend, IN – Haunted: A Macbeth Experience

2024-05-06T00:00:00Z

Haunted: A Macbeth Experience is a unique, original take on the classic Shakespeare tale. We will tell the story of Macbeth while leaning into its “scarier” aspects. This interactive show will have haunted house elements and jump scares. We invite audiences twice a night over a couple weekends in October to join us at The Beacon Resource Center for this unique experience. This is an immersive take on the Scottish play, placing audience members within Macbeth’s perspective as paranoia, ambition, and tyranny take hold. In this abbreviated version of "Macbeth," cast members will be bringing the iconic play to life in an elevated, narrative haunted house environment. Each performance will involve two overlapping runs of the show. Several roles will be double-cast so two audiences can move through the space simultaneously.

South Bend, IN – South Bend’s First Official Adult Track Meet

2024-05-06T00:00:00Z

I am planning on hosting our city’s first official Adult Track Meet on Saturday, June 29, 2024. This event will be open to the public for anyone 21+ to participate in. With the exception of hurdles and pole vault due to their technical nature, we will have every “regular” track and field event available for people to participate in (all individual races from 100m to 3200m, 4x800m relays, 4x100m relays, 4x400m relays, and even co-ed 4x100m relays and “big man” relays, so it will be a full track meet that has something for everyone - adult style! There are plenty of distance races and 5k’s locally, but nothing for those who are not into distance running or only participated in field events in their glory days. I want to fill that gap and offer something fun for those of us who still love the sport. If it has a good turnout, I would love to make this an annual event!

Newburgh, NY – Lil Lawyas: Summer Camp

2024-05-05T00:00:00Z

Lil Lawyas: Summer Camp is an eight week program where students will develop their legal writing, research, and advocacy skills to prepare for their coming legal careers. Each month, students will be assigned one case, a criminal case in June and a civil case in July, where they will perform the duties of legal counsel. Students will be separated into two teams, for the criminal case, it will be prosecution and defense, and for the civil case, it will be plaintiff and defendant. Students will have the option of choosing to participate as a legal researcher, conducting extensive research on the legal elements of the matter, or participate as presenting counsel who will prepare arguments and appear as counsel for their client. Furthermore, each student will prepare one article each month on a topic of their choosing that will be published in our new Lil Lawyas Newsletter to bring awareness to current events happening in our community and the world.

Brumadinho – Origami Terapêutico

2024-05-03T00:00:00Z

Após o rompimento da barragem em córrego do feijão em Brumadinho, onde morreram 272 pessoas, deixando um sentimento de perda muito grande em todo município de Brumadinho, acentuado também pela pandemia de 2021 trazendo a população danos emocionais que perduram após 5 anos do acontecimento. Assim sentimos a necessidade de ofertar a essas pessoas atingidas por tanta dor a oportunidade de uma atividade terapêutica milenar, de fácil aprendizado e baixo custo. O projeto poderá ser facilmente executado em casa, assim os participantes poderão presentear ou possibilidade de usar como complemento na renda familiar, sem deixar de citar os benefícios a saúde motora, cognitiva e a socialização.

Adelaide – Jobs Cafe

2024-05-03T00:00:00Z

Jobs Café Project helps job-seekers better prepare themselves in applying for positions and navigating subsequent interviews. The “Jobs Café” concept (there is no physical Jobs Café!) evolved at Hopes Café, Clayton Church as a response to the significant number of visitors who were demoralised by constant rejection in their efforts to secure work. We also recognise that in our community the establishment and maintenance of a person’s dignity is tied to being employed. The project began as a stand-alone exercise in late August 2019: to date there are 1015 job-seeking registrants (people from diverse cultures, refugees, migrants, homeless persons, those differently-abled, men and women, old and young…) and 381 have secured positions, We also have a network of 665 supporters (including members of the marvellous Circle of Friends Association), all contributing at various levels. Jobs Café is not a Job Agency per se… in supporting the job-seeker’s own efforts to identify roles, it also uses its networks to add possible opportunities and then encourages and assists the job-seeker in pursuing and securing them. The exercise requires significant self-help on the part of the job-seeker, but working together success has every chance. Jobs Café is independent, purely voluntary and informal in its activity and has no connection with the 'job bureaucracy'….it simply seeks to help in this particular area of community need. Activity is now largely based at Cibo, The Avenues Shopping Centre, Stepney. Each new job seeker is asked to join the Coordinator for a coffee and a chat: this face-to-face meeting is important in establishing trust and reducing risk for all involved as we work together in pursuing employment opportunities. “The Last Tuesday of the Month” evening: a job seeking topic, sector speakers, success stories and networking:: attendance is free. And for those seeking to participate: “Just walk through the virtual door of Jobs Cafe". The Awesome Foundation grant will fund cups of coffee and tea in cafes for job-seekers, making it an even more welcoming experience.

Grande Belo Horizonte – Casa Abertha

2024-05-03T00:00:00Z

Uma Ong que atuará com os públicos feminino e masculino no âmbito da violência doméstica, bem como na valorização, proteção e fortalecimento dos direitos, valores e desenvolvimento das mulheres em todas as esferas de atuação: individual, familiar, social, político, entre outros. Cidade: Lagoa Santa Como usarei o dinheiro: Projetos relacionados às atividades da ONG Um pouco sobre mim: Meu nome é ALLYNE DA SILVA CUNHA. Sou servidora pública do município de Lagoa Santa, gestora e consultora de gestão de pessoas e psicanalista. Tenho 41 anos e sempre atuei com voluntariado e sou consciente de que que temos de nos engajarmos na construção de uma sociedade sustentável. Valor aprovado: R$ 1500

Grande Belo Horizonte – Receber & Fortalecer

2024-05-03T00:00:00Z

Nosso projeto envolve oficinas de confeitaria, de hidráulica, de elétrica e Costura, por enquanto. Precisamos de comprar materiais e manter as máquinas e eletrodomésticos funcionando com qualidade. Qualquer dinheiro é bem vindo para custear essas despesas. Cidade: Lagoa Santa Como usarei o dinheiro: Compra de material para as oficinas terem mais qualidade e tempo. Um pouco sobre mim: Somos de uma Fraternidade espírita que recebe todos de braços abertos para que o desenvolvimento humano possa ser possível, sem restrições. @oficinadocaminho Instagram Valor aprovado: R$ 3000

Grande Belo Horizonte – Roda de Mulheres

2024-05-03T00:00:00Z

Roda de Mulheres- Surgiu em Lagoa Santa, pela necessidade que a Coletiva Feminista As Luzias, viu e vê para mudar a situação das mulheres na cidade. E tbm como oportunidade de. Conhecer, Confiar e Acolher Mulheres, de adolescentes a adultas. Para falar de Vida em Família, no Trabalho, na Sociedade e especialmente, nas relações de Afeto. Podem ser realizadas em qualquer espaço que tiver aberto ao diálogo e luta contra todo tipo de violência que as mulheres sofrem no cotidiano. Cidade: Lagoa Santa Como usarei o dinheiro: Usaremos esse dinheiro para custear lanches e materiais que podemos usar nos encontros, como motivadores para agregar confiança e autoconhecimento. Um pouco sobre mim: Sou Inez , faço parte do grupo As Luzias, onde varias mulheres trocam experiências e mobilizações para defender os Direitos e a Vida das Mulheres dentro de uma sociedade machista e violenta. Valor aprovado: R$ 1500

Newcastle – Not Just Jeans Clothes Swap Event

2024-05-01T00:00:00Z

Jeans in June is Upcycle Newcastle’s inaugural textile awareness month, and to kick it off, Purple Card Project will be hosting a clothes swap event called Not Just Jeans! This event has both environmental and social benefits, and offers a platform for local textile and sustainability experts to share their passion and knowledge with the community. Our event will address the environmental impact of the fashion industry at a local level by keeping clothing in circulation, and promoting a circular economy model where items are reused and repurposed. It will also serve as a platform for promoting sustainable fashion practices within our community, such as being more mindful of our consumption habits and appreciating the value of pre-loved clothing. Our event will foster a sense of community and connection among participants, bringing people together, regardless of age, background, or income level, and create opportunities for social interaction. It is also a cost-effective way for participants to refresh their wardrobe, making fashion more inclusive, and ensuring that everyone has access to clothing that makes them feel confident and comfortable. Participants will be encouraged to make conscious choices about their consumption, rather than being dictated by trends or marketing campaigns. They will be actively encouraged to shop slowly, be creative, think outside their personal style, and to try on at least one item that they would not usually choose. By doing this, we are encouraging participants to have fun in the space as they explore the wide range of styles available. Our clothes swap is one piece of the puzzle in promoting sustainability, resource conservation, community building, and financial accessibility in fashion. And by embracing the principles of reuse and collaboration, we hope to build a strong and resilient community who value and respect the social and environmental impact of clothing, shifting the focus from consumption to reuse and repair.

Newmarket – St. Paul's active initiative

2024-05-01T00:00:00Z

I am applying on behalf of St Paul Catholic Elementary School. Here at St. Paul’s we have an extremely small, but very tight knit, school community. Our parent council have spear headed fundraisers, but due to the size of our school population and current cost of living issues affecting everyone, our fundraisers have fallen a bit short. We are looking for assistance with the following projects and initiatives: 1. Our school yard was repaved by the board this past summer (2023) and we are looking to paint some fresh templates on the pavement for the students ie. 4 square, hop scotch, etc. This will help our students stay active during the recess breaks as they do not have access to a formal play structure. 2. Some of our school’s gym equipment has fallen into disrepair and needs replacing.

Sydney – Our Stories Through Theatre

2024-05-01T00:00:00Z

Kogarah Community Services (KCS) offers the Intergenerational Program to people from across generations in an effort to support and nurture new social connections and build relationships. The program is open to people from 0-100 years, with special effort taken to match younger and older participants based on their interests - for example, our preschoolers and aged care residents often enjoy playing light hearted games while some of our high school participants enjoy sharing their digital skills. Our Stories through Theatre will engage local seniors to take part in sharing their stories through theatrical form. In this project Kogarah Community Services (KCS) will partner with Shopfront Arts Co-Op, where local young people will facilitate this project. KCS chose to partner with Shopfront for this project as we both share a positive relationship with the local community, seek to empower local residents and to make them feel included in their local community through various initiatives. Through regular feedback of people accessing KCS, storytelling was identified as an interest and there is literature to suggest that storytelling creates a meaningful connection between participants and can also give each generation a different perspective of the of the world. KCS has been initiating Intergenerational activities since 2019, and are part of the Australian Institution for Intergenerational Practice (IGP) and have a dedicated IGP worker to coordinate intergenerational activities. Research conducted by Bolton Clarke on Intergenerational Storytelling enabled participants to be creative whilst sharing their personal journey and to reflect on their life experiences. KCS will invite seniors in the community to take part in a storytelling workshop incorporating theatrical techniques at Shopfront (Carlton), led by youth art practitioners. Collaboration between generations promotes understanding, tolerance, building on knowledge, not losing history from older people and most importantly having fun whilst sharing life experiences.

New York City, NY – MAYDAY FESTIVAL OF RESISTANCE 2024

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

Our April grant has been awarded to this year's Mayday Festival of Resistance. The festival is organized by Mayday, a community center and movement resource project led by an active volunteer board and two staff members composed of community organizers, cultural workers, and artists. **This year's festival will be held on Saturday, May 4th, from 1-7pm in [Maria Hernandez Park in Brooklyn](https://maps.app.goo.gl/ytuTW8aNqqEtbsAN9).** _Mayday Festival of Resistance is day of music, art, and joyful resistance, where neighbors come together to build solidarity, mutual aid and people power. The festival is a display of our collective strength and empowers long-term residents of Bushwick and Brooklyn with creativity, music, mutual aid, and resources. It is a powerful way of bringing the neighborhood together to strengthen local organizing efforts, and build the global movement for justice thereby filling a void in the social justice landscape of our city._ _The festival will coincide with the 2-year anniversary of both our music program with Bushwick/Ridgewood immigrant youth and our visual arts program for emerging movement artists led by artists-in-residence Sebastian Angel and Crystal Clarity. Mayday Fest will be our music program’s first official showcase as a BK-based cumbia band and our visual program's first public narration of their cantastoria, which illustrates the history of May Day._ _Most importantly, the community organizations who host in our space year-round, including Bushwick Ayuda Mutua, Brooklyn Eviction Defense, and Frack Outta BK, will be providing know your rights resources, interactive workshops, and teach-outs on tenant, immigrant, environmental, and workers justice for the more than 1,000 neighbors who attend. We will also invite frontline worker leaders to speak on their recent wins, ongoing labor campaigns, and invite attendees to join/support their efforts for the long-term._ * [Attend the festival this weekend](https://withfriends.co/event/19895907/mayday_festival_of_resistance_2024) * Follow Mayday Space on [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/maydayspace/) * [Sign up for their newsletter](https://maydayspace.org/)

Disability – FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT OF DEAF PEOPLE TO DRIVE

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

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

Ann Arbor, MI – Free Art Fridays

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

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

Liverpool – Queer Places

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

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

Toronto – Text for Help - Newcomer Help Line

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

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

San Antonio, TX – NOVA Debate Camp

2024-04-30T00:00:00Z

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

Washington, DC – Museum Square Blooms

2024-04-29T00:00:00Z

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

Yerevan – <<Վառեմ-Մարեմ>> արվեստանոց

2024-04-26T00:00:00Z

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

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

2024-04-25T00:00:00Z

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

Rhode Island – Bloodletter Magazine

2024-04-25T00:00:00Z

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

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

2024-04-24T00:00:00Z

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

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

2024-04-24T00:00:00Z

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

Ottawa – Frank St Bee & Butterfly Garden

2024-04-23T00:00:00Z

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

Chicago, IL – The Big Bata Weekend

2024-04-23T00:00:00Z

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

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

2024-04-22T00:00:00Z

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