tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/hy/projects?page=13 2024-01-11T15:48:39Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/245075 2024-01-10T00:00:00Z 2024-01-11T15:48:39Z House N2 Home (HN2H) has become the go-to in Washtenaw County for helping vulnerable people, who are moving out of homelessness, create a real home. In 2017 a group of four friends got together to furnish a home for one single mom and her children. In just 5 years those same women grew Hn2H into what it is today. With a passionate volunteer force of 100+ and four paid "heavy lifters, we just celebrated our 1000th move! The process begins when a caseworker from one of more than 30 community agencies, including Safe House, Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and Avalon Housing, contacts us with the great news that they have secured housing for a client. We meet the client to find out favorite colors, hobbies, interests, etc. We then tailor the home specifically for the client. Using donated furnishings, artwork, dishes, cookware, vacuums, beds, toys, linens and books, we completely furnish their new home and even provide fresh flowers, homemade cookies and food for their pantry. This year alone we have furnished homes for 680 clients including 300 children. That's 350 couches, TV's, microwaves, coffee pots and dining tables, etc. 640+ pillows, mattresses and bedside tables etc. In addition to helping restore the dignity of community members transitioning out of homelessness, our secondary mission is keeping items out of landfill. We have volunteers who repair electronics, repurpose art and refinish furniture. We have an entire force of volunteers who now collaborate with UofM to collect items during student move out. One caseworker said, "I am so grateful for all that Hn2H is and all that you work so hard for. Thank you for everything you do every day, for the so many people in our community that deserve to have their humanity and dignity honored after having been without that experience for so long. You are all doing work that there are no words for in the English language. It is beyond human services, beyond compassion, and empathy, beyond love" monique deschaine Furnishing Homes for the Formerly Homeless http://housen2home.org United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/245609 2024-01-10T00:00:00Z 2024-01-11T15:51:06Z Through our initiative, the Unique Care Connect Community Center, we provide crucial support groups for adults with emotional and intellectual disabilities, offering a space where they can openly discuss personal matters outside the confines of typical social norms and communication styles. Drawing from my personal experiences as a caregiver for individuals facing these challenges and in response to the urgent pleas within the special needs community, our project aims to address the often overlooked and misunderstood members of our society by providing much-needed resources. Currently, there's a glaring lack of spaces where individuals with special needs can authentically connect, receive support, foster meaningful relationships, and simply enjoy themselves without the judgment of society. Our project seeks to fill this void by creating a safe haven for them. Expanding our project means introducing additional groups centered on these pivotal topics, ensuring that adults with unique needs have access to support from peers who share similar experiences. Achieving this necessitates compensating skilled facilitators who possess an in-depth understanding of and influence within the world of adults dealing with intellectual and emotional disabilities. This step is pivotal in reshaping adult support, departing from the historical focus primarily on children with special needs. We aspire to build upon our existing foundation, bridging the gaps in available resources within our society. Shahrazad Kennedy Unique Care Connect Community Center http://www.uniquecareconnect.org United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/245705 2024-01-10T00:00:00Z 2024-01-11T03:58:57Z Hi, my name is Frankie Robles, San Jose born and raised comedian, DJ, screenwriter, and host of the show, The Taco Debacle, that I put up on YouTube as well as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. I feel that San Jose typically gets overshadowed by San Francisco and Oakland yet there is so much awesomeness going on here that goes unnoticed. In efforts to get some more recognition for San Jose, I created The Taco Debacle. If you ask anyone in San Jose, where can I get a good taco? You’ll get a different answer from each person in San Jose that you ask. On my show, I interview local San Jose creatives (artists, comedians, politicians, etc) at their favorite taco spot in order to raise awareness and recognition of what they’re creating as well as highlight San Jose businesses (taco spots) to get them more business as well. Frankie Robles The Taco Debacle http://www.354pm.com United States San Jose, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sanjose tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/230168 2024-01-09T00:00:00Z 2024-01-10T03:53:21Z My name is Otis Hatfield and I am originally from New York City. I have spent the last four years traveling the US while in the Army. I have met so many amazing people from all walks of live nationwide. Now that I am finished with my military service I have settled down in the Seattle Area. While I was in the Army, no matter where I was stationed I always went to local grass roots organized sporting events. These events were valuable community organizing spaces and often cultural reflections of the residents of the areas I lived in. Racetracks, fourth tier hockey, independent baseball, all had their own charms and local flavors. Myself and a few of my friends have an idea to start a magazine featuring these local sports and highlighting the value of in-person social spaces. The precipitous decline in civic engagement and participation in community events has a devastating effect on our culture. Fraternal organizations, religious institutions, and other third spaces are at unprecedentedly low levels of participation. Young people have fewer and fewer options for in-person community events. All too easily in America people are pigeonholed into monocultural displays that forgets how diverse this country is. Finding a way to celebrate inclusiveness and diversity through sports is a primary goal of our magazine. We are looking for a small amount of seed money to get this idea off the ground. Our magazine will be available free online as well as a print copy in the future. Otis Hatfield Grass Root Magazine http://TBD United States Seattle, WA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/seattle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/245374 2024-01-09T00:00:00Z 2024-01-11T20:12:42Z Our Young Riders Afterschool Program is designed to teach kids the basics of horse care and riding in a safe and fun environment. Participants will learn how to groom, saddle, and ride horses, as well as how to safely handle them on the ground. In addition to developing their horsemanship skills, participants will also learn valuable life skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and communication. A unique part of our program is integrated Animal Assisted Therapy. While youth are interacting with horses, they are provided mental health support along the way. Studies have shown horse interaction stimulates many positive psychological feelings, reducing depression by 30% as well as lowering the chance of dementia by 30% (British Horse Society.2022). Our program helps close the gap for communities who don’t have access to mental health support and/or resources. The target audience for the program are Black/African American, Indigenous, and Hispanic youth in grades K-8th and live within the inner-city communities of Oakland, CA and Stockton, CA. The program aims to provide a safe, fun, and educational outlet to individuals within communities that lack cultural, and agricultural community programs. Part of the goals of this program is to immerse individuals in the agricultural horsemanship space, providing skill enhancement opportunities, career related opportunities, and agricultural related extracurricular activities. Individuals who are exposed to communities with high rates of poverty often fall victim to mental health challenges, often due to being stuck in generational poverty cycles, not having been exposed to career, and other opportunities outside of their community. The Young Riders Afterschool program provides a space for individuals to get outside of their day-to-day routines, connecting them to ranchers, farmers, horsemen, and other individuals who work (and play) within agricultural related trades. Aisha McElroy Young Riders Afterschool Program https://www.blackcowboyco.org/ United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/217151 2024-01-08T00:00:00Z 2024-01-08T19:11:31Z The Camp Rainbow Foundation provides free camping experiences for children diagnosed with or in treatment for cancer and blood-related diseases. We have found a large gap in supporting families who have lost a child and need help. We would love to add a new "camp" to our annual program for bereavement where parents, families and siblings can come together to heal. We believe $1,000 would be the perfect seed money to show how important this is to our campers and would help in matching funding with other small grants. Laura Schulte Bereavement Camp http://www.camprainbow.com Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Ոչ ակտիվ) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/247763 2024-01-08T00:00:00Z 2024-02-01T01:01:36Z Beautiful portraits taken at FusionFest of people in clothing reflecting their heritage will be exhibited - a few at a time - in all the local art and historical museums culminating in a large exhibition (more than 4 dozen) at the Orlando Museum of Art and then going to many other locations like libraries, government buildings, private businesses and all around. Along with the photos will be stories of the people Please take a look at a few of the images. They are gorgeous. Scott Galbraith Celebrating Cultures United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/246769 2024-01-07T00:00:00Z 2024-01-25T21:41:09Z We are going to have a Community baby shower. We are going to have 10 families that have either had babies within the last three months or are expecting babies by March 2024 to take part in this where we will do a complete baby shower and those families will receive the items. They will play the games to win the bigger items like strollers car seats Cribs and such. With the funding from the Awesome Foundation, we will be able to purchase more of the bigger items. I have been for the last three months, collecting diapers and small baby items to have the smaller items, but some of the bigger items for the prizes and such would be purchased with the money from the Awesome Foundation. Jemika Hall Community Babyshower United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239041 2024-01-03T00:00:00Z 2024-01-04T12:52:56Z Our troop has a trailer that we haven't been able to utilize for a several years. The trailer needs new tires, new lighting and the interior needs to be modified to fit our needs as a troop. The money from the grant will be enough to get our trailer up and running and be able to fund some of our troop activities such as our monthly campouts, day trips and even some of our recruitment activities to teach new kids in our community what scouting is about and how fun it is. Nathan Ogden Troop 50 Trailer Restoration United States Georgetown, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/georgetown tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/216634 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z 2024-01-01T22:09:29Z For this project, I am utilizing my abilities as an artist to use color and text to create dynamic, eye-catching cards, with positive, encouraging messages, to be placed at random locations, for random people to find. People are feeling stressed and down, more than ever. The news is a constant harbinger of strife and negativity, and social media often leaves us feeling isolated and a bit sad. My project is an attempt to counteract all of the negativity that folks are facing in their day-to-day lives. These cards are intended to bring a bit of random, unexpected joy into the day of the recipient. It also brings fun, joy and novelty into my life as well, and I need as much of those things as I can get. This idea started when I went back to work, after the pandemic. The energy was no longer the same at my work place, and there was a heaviness in the air. I observed it, but I also felt it within myself. To try to do something about it, I decided that I would begin taking a few minutes in the morning, to write a nice message on a card, onto which I would include a colorful stone. I would create 10 at a time, and then walk around, placing them in random places at my job, for random to people to find. It was fun for me to just walk around and find locations for my cards. I never hung around to see anyone pick them up, but I would go back to my office feeling a lot better, for having spread a little joy and kindness. I only hope that the recipients felt the same way. A year later, and my cards have gotten a major upgrade! Instead of including a stone, I am now utilizing a lot more color, using watercolors, and a small die-cut machine to cut the words out of the watercolor paper. I love the entire process, from creating the cards to distributing them. It brings me a lot of joy. I am also passionate about using my life energy to spread kindness and decency. In fact, my mood and outlook on life and the world around me depends on it. Athesia Benjamin Kind Cards for Random People http://www.athesia.art Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Ոչ ակտիվ) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/234186 2023-12-31T00:00:00Z 2024-01-05T00:59:57Z Stephen Leacock Collegiate Institute in Scarborough is home to a program for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD). We plan for the grade 12 leadership class to pair with the students in the ASD program for a program called 'Friday Buddies'. Every Friday the leadership students will plan activities for the students in the ASD program. The activities will cover a broad spectrum, from team building, to creating social connections, to athletic training. As students feel more comfortable with each other, we will move to athletic training, with the end goal of getting our Friday Buddies ready for the TDSB Barrier Free Track and Field meet in June 2024. This is an event for students with various exceptionalities(e.g. intellectual disability, physical disability). It is a day of pure joy and this funding could allow us to help the Leacock students have a day they'll never forget. We have many new students in our program and I would like them to experience the joy that this day brings. Adrian Bowers Stephen Leacock - ASD Student Athletics/Leadership https://stephenleacockci.ca/ Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241220 2023-12-31T00:00:00Z 2024-01-05T06:27:07Z **Origami Vending Machine** is a participatory site specific sculpture for people to get free origami to brighten their day. People can choose a paper of their choice and put it into the designated slot and select an origami model they want folded and after they push the button, the "ingenious" vending machine will fold the object and dispense it within 60 seconds. While the object is being folded, they can watch a stop motion animation of the origami being folded on the digital touch screen and receive fun and happy messages of encouragement and quotes while they wait. Artist Sok Song writes: "I am an origami artist and have been teaching origami to the public for free and as workshops for the past 25 years. I started a meetup group for people of all ages to learn the joy of origami all over the city. This machine is my way of spreading that joy even further by providing a little moment of happiness to people to receive a free piece of origami." Follow [@origamisok on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/origamisok) to find out where the Origami Vending Machine will be installed next! Sok Song Origami Vending Machine https://www.foldingdreams.com/origami-vending-machine United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/244410 2023-12-31T00:00:00Z 2024-01-06T20:59:15Z Under the Umbrella Bookstore is a small queer-centered bookstore in Salt Lake City, UT, on the occupied, unceded homelands of the Goshute, Shoshone, Paiute, and Ute peoples. This project was spearheaded by owner and founder Kaitlyn Mahoney in response to the lack of accessible and sober queer spaces in Salt Lake City. Under the Umbrella serves the queer folks of Salt Lake City by supporting all marginalized groups through accessible events, free meeting spaces, and an extensive selection of books in which they can see themselves. Accessibility is an integral part of Under the Umbrella’s mission statement. We are committed to maintaining and improving accessibility both in person and online for all members of the queer Salt Lake Community. We prioritize stories by and about disabled queer people, and hire ASL interpreters for all of our events with a presentation aspect. We intentionally keep our counters low and our aisle wide and provide metrics of the space on our website to accommodate mobility-aid users. We require masks to keep the space safe for immunocompromised members of our community and have multiple air purifiers running at all times. All images on our site and social media pages include image descriptions and alt text. All of our videos include either subtitles or transcripts, and some also include ASL interpretation. We are always open to feedback from our community, and are happy to provide additional accommodations and accessibility measures as needed. We recognize the unique intersection of disability and queerness, and seek to provide as many resources as possible to folks who exist in this space. In addition to stocking books by queer disabled writers and with queer disabled characters, Under the Umbrella amplifies disabled voices and facilitates community connection through our monthly disability justice book club. Under the Umbrella provides a place where people can find comfort by seeing themselves. **What our grantee is saying:** "We are ecstatic to be able to provide accessibility services, including ASL interpretation, for our in-store and author events thanks to the grant support from the Awesome Foundation. Fulfilling this service to our community is integral to our goal to uplift diverse stories and experiences through our LGBTQ+ bookstore." Kaitlyn Mahoney ASL Interpretation at Under the Umbrella Bookstore https://www.undertheumbrellabookstore.com/ Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/240751 2023-12-28T00:00:00Z 2023-12-29T15:07:12Z Our mission is to start a non profit providing resources and supplies to any and all unhoused community members. As lifelong residents of Cape Ann, with Lived experience we feel that we have a unique perspective in to the ways in which to navigate the systems that are already in place. Our hope is to provide, dignified, unbiased, no strings attached resources for those individuals who live outside, on a friends couch, in a hotel, or in their car. Its not always cheap to start a non-profit. We can not apply for funding without it and this would help us to apply and file paperwork. There is a growing population of unhoused families in our city and surrounding cities. Due to increased rental market, cost of living not meeting that increase, people have turned to living in the car, outside, or in hotels. Being poor does not require shame, or isolation. We want to lift our unhoused neighbors in our community, and let them know that their voice is just as important as any other voice in the community. suzanne kirvan Radical Resource Center Non Profit Application United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242322 2023-12-28T00:00:00Z 2023-12-29T15:05:30Z I am donating a Pool Table. It has to be moved from my home to Core Recovery and Resource Center. 11 Parker Street Gloucester MA.Just a little about the Center Funded by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, the CORE is a stigma and judgement free peer-to peer recovery space that offers long-term support to adults 18 years old and up that are recovering from substance use issues. As peer members ourselves, we provide fellowship and the opportunity to belong to a community of peers that are interested in supporting each other in their recovery journey. Other supports we provide include sober events and activities, educational workshops, health & wellness programs and an overall safe place to maintain your recovery. This would be an Awesome addition to the new center. June Cook-Madruga Core Pool Table http://corerecovery.org United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239476 2023-12-27T00:00:00Z 2023-12-01T16:39:11Z At Sir William Mulock Secondary School, we strive to equip all of our students with the solid foundation they need to be successful in school and life. Knowing that many of our students come to school without eating breakfast each day, we are now offering a healthy snack program serving our 1300 students every day. In fact, we serve approximately 300 meals a day, many of these students from underserved communities. As a school community that does our best to foster a strong and supportive learning environment, we want to ensure that hunger is not a barrier to our student’s success. Studies indicate that a healthy breakfast positively influences student health and academic achievement. When students attend school on an empty stomach, their energy levels, problem solving skills, creativity, concentration and behavior are negatively impacted. As a result of coming to school hungry, these students may not meet their full potential. Having access to a healthy snack program at school does more than fulfill a basic need. The Healthy Snack program introduces students to new fruits and vegetables, promotes the development of lifelong healthy living habits, teaches students leadership and life skills and fosters a safe and supportive school environment. The benefits from this program are felt in the classroom, at home, and ultimately, in our communities. In addition to feeding healthy bodies, our program supports learning in our broader school community. Students from our Community Classes, students with physical, social and learning challenges, help deliver food to school locations and help portion food into individual servings. This opportunity is integral in learning life and workplace skills and having positive social interactions. Cynthia Crone Healthy Food, Healthy Minds Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241818 2023-12-26T00:00:00Z 2023-12-27T08:49:50Z Մեծամորը՝ պատմահնագիտական արգելոց-թանգարանի բակում ստեղծված արհեստական պեղավայրը, որը ստեղծվել է հատկապես քարարկղային դամբարանի վերակազմում։ Ծրագրի նպատակը է կրտսեր և միջին դպրոցական տարիքի երեխաների համար ստեղծել գիտակրթական և ժամանցային վայր, որտեղ նրանք կծանոթանան մեզանից 3000-4000 տարի առաջ ապրած բրոնզեդարյան մարդու կենցաղին, մշակույթին, կրոնական հավատալիքներհին։ Ծրագրը նաև կիրառվի ներառական կրթության կարիք ունեցող երեխաների համար՝ զարգացնելով նրանց ձեռքի մատորիկան, շոշափելիքի զգայական համակարգը և մտավոր ունակությունները։ Մարգարիտա Գրիգորյան «Փոքրիկ հնագետ» Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/215263 2023-12-25T00:00:00Z 2023-12-25T17:23:27Z Thanks to Kotor Kitties, more than 8,200 cats in Montenegro have been spayed or neutered since 2018! That's when some Seattle-area tourists, including me, visited Kotor, Montenegro, "the City of Cats", and discovered there were sick, injured, and dying cats everywhere. But there was no ongoing spay-neuter program for cats or dogs. We had an AWESOME OPPORTUNITY to start one! The Seattle connection is AWESOME because over the past 40+ years Seattle has done an AWESOME job of humanely controlling our dog and cat populations. So we're taking Seattle's knowledge, experience, and program models and adapting them to the needs and culture of Montenegro. A pioneering Seattle vet, Dr. Christine Wilford, agreed to serve on our Advisory Board and convinced another local feline vet to help as well! A Seattle-area CPA is also on our Advisory Board, and the founding Board of Directors were all based in Seattle--in fact we've been friends since the 1960s! How AWESOME is that! Kotor Kitties was the first High Quality, High Volume Spay-Neuter (HQHVSN) and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in Montenegro, and only the second in the Balkans. "High Volume" is important to get ahead of the birth rates in areas where we work. TNR allows untouchable cats to be humanely caught. In addition to providing free or heavily subsidized surgeries, we provide humane education, training and resources for Montenegrin vets, information for government officials, and an important network for the animal caretakers, who were frequently shamed and ostracized, to know they're not alone, and the time, energy and personal funds they devote to the animals is noticed and valued. Kotor Kitties also provides a substantial boost to Montenegro's struggling economy: we work as partners with local vets, so the funds we raise all stay in the community. The vets give us generous discounts of 50% or more, because they want to be part of the solution. They're AWESOME!! April L King Prevention is the kindest way https://www.kotorkitties.org Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Ոչ ակտիվ) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/243723 2023-12-20T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T15:43:16Z As part of our community's awesomeness, in July 2023, the Centre County Housing Authority (CCHA) expanded the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS). FSS is the catalyst to help low-income individuals determine their strengths and needs through goal setting. The program coordinator coaches the participants to engage in individual, family, community, and local strategies that will enable them to increase earned income, build financial assets, and reduce the need for public assistance. The CCHA creates strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality, affordable homes for nearly 700 Centre County residents. The FSS program currently has a participant roaster of 27 households. By 2025, the program will be at capacity with 40 families. The best resource for bridging the socioeconomic gap is education and mentoring opportunities. Funding is needed to create quarterly programs that will connect FSS participants to basic skills, resources, and the community and to cross economic boundaries. The grant will help educate participants on creating a vision for their future, navigating special education laws, understanding your child's IEP, positive parenting programs, networking, and cultural opportunities in the community. The 3Dots grant will help provide resources for all the programs and expand attendance to include all socioeconomic statuses for special education training and networking opportunities. Because this is a client-driven program, for many participants, this will be their first experience of crossing the economic gap. Magdalene G Bishop Family Self Sufficiency Development United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242672 2023-12-20T00:00:00Z 2023-12-21T02:38:02Z The second of two Awesome Ottawa awards for December goes to Emily Andruchow and the [Overbrook Community Association] (https://www.overbrook.ca) to support a winter evening event at the local skating rink. “I am a community board member on the Overbrook Community Association,” says Emily, “and I and other board members are planning to throw a fun winter evening event at our community skating rink.” “A hot chocolate bar with marshmallows, candy, and sprinkles,” she begins, “and donuts from a local bakery! Games on the ice, a craft room inside the community centre, music, fire pits and chairs, skate rental… Just a super fun winter evening event.” Winter is my absolute favourite season,” she says, “and I'd love to shine some light on what can be a very dark time of year for lots of people!” Emily has been volunteering on the Overbrook Community Association board for the last year, and works for the city on the Light Rail Transit project. Emily Andruchow and the Overbrook Community Association Winter Hot Chocolate & Donuts Skating Event https://www.overbrook.ca Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/244749 2023-12-20T00:00:00Z 2023-12-21T02:08:36Z The first of two Awesome Ottawa awards for December goes to Chris Osler and the [Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library] (https://ottawaoutdoorgearlibrary.com/) to support winter gear loans and programming. “As we approach our third winter season,” says Chris, “the Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library is gearing up for a busy few months! We are Ottawa’s first all-season outdoor gear lending library,” he continues, “with an extensive, diverse inventory. We have outdoor books, binoculars, camping equipment, roller blades, ice skates, soccer cleats, baseball gear, and so much more!” “During the winter season,” explains Chris, “in addition to our main location on Boyd Ave., we have a pop-up location in Overbrook with cross country ski equipment and snowshoes. We also support our partner organizations with winter programming like cross country ski, snowshoe, and skating outings.” “Our mission,” says Chris, “is to respond to barriers experienced by marginalized communities to nature-based experiences and outdoor recreation. And we prioritize sustainability by promoting a circular economy – all the gear in our library is donated from the Ottawa community, and we take time to repair gear or repurpose parts into new items to reduce waste.” Chris is co-founder of the Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library, and has been working as a community developer for the past 20 years. Chris Osler Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library https://ottawaoutdoorgearlibrary.com/ Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/240529 2023-12-19T00:00:00Z 2024-01-09T12:11:49Z A Associação Porto Devera continua prestando serviços socioambientais de socorro à saúde, através de cuidados essenciais aos animais domésticos vitimados, pois reconhece tal importância, principalmente após evidências de que as ações municipais existentes são ineficazes à qualidade de vida, meio ambiente, educação e saúde pública local. Assim, consolidamos ações de combate aos crimes de crueldade através do Projeto “Pet Socorro”: formado por um grupo comunitário que a mais de vinte anos desenvolve ações de resgate, preservação e inclusão. O projeto é baseado em três frentes de ação, sendo elas: 1. Educação Ambiental: Uso da Legislação municipal, estadual e federal, com apoio de outras organizações parceiras auxiliando nas Campanhas educacionais junto às comunidades (sede e zonas rurais de Brumadinho-MG). • A Associação Porto Devera: Com seus representantes que se responsabilizam em acompanhar e fiscalizar a execução do Programa de Preservação ambiental, proteção animal e de Saúde Pública local. • Os Protetores, voluntários e associados: Auxiliam nas campanhas educativas e nos encaminhamentos, denúncias e no mapeamento dos casos a serem assistidos. 2. Preservação: Destinação de animais resgatados em caráter de emergência: Ao que oferece risco à saúde pública, meio ambiente ou a segurança pública, serão encaminhados através do serviço médico veterinário contratado, para processo de esterilização, tratamento e destino provisório, até que possa ser novamente reinserido. 3. Conscientização: através das companhas de divulgação, eventos de conscientização e reintegração. Atuação em escolas, meios de comunicação (panfletagem, outdoors, divulgações via rádio, jornal, palestras e reuniões com entidades de classe e através das redes sociais do Projeto). A Associação Porto Devera foi criada através das ações voluntárias em prol da causa animal e meio ambiente da cidade Brumadinho-MG, já que apesar da existência de serviços contratados pelo município, estes são ineficazes Sandra Daniele da Codts Pet Socorro Brumadinho-MG https://youtu.be/VKFlBBVhVxg?si=f502FN4jDb7ZRfrw Brazil Brumadinho https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/brumadinho tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242137 2023-12-19T00:00:00Z 2023-12-20T15:06:26Z Renowned DJ and music producer Tony Montes has teamed up with the Chicago Teachers Foundation and National Board-Certified teacher, Karen Soto to introduce a groundbreaking initiative aimed at middle and high school students and their educators. Through this partnership, Montes & Soto will bring the extensive experience and expertise to empower the youth and their mentors with the art of DJing, offering an innovative platform for self-expression, creativity, and personal development. The awesome project will help us through the final culminating event where students will DJ for the different families and CTU leadership as well as art colleges. Mr. Tony Montes Soul Jack Digital Lab https://souljackdigital.com/ United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/244062 2023-12-19T00:00:00Z 2024-01-09T12:41:53Z O projeto “Rua Colorida - Arte, Educação e Natureza” a ser realizado na comunidade de Marinhos, no município de Brumadinho/MG tem como foco trabalhar a arte cultura e meio ambiente com crianças e jovens quilombolas, através de atividades de arte ambiental como a pintura de postes e lixeiras com o intuito de fomentar a sensibilização ambiental, e um olhar atencioso para as mudanças climáticas e culturais. Busca-se estraves dessa ação preservar e salvaguardar a memória, e tradições históricas do povo quilombola, incentivando jovens e crianças a preservarem seus patrimônios materiais e imateriais, suas tradições e histórias. Casa Quilombê Rua Colorida - Arte, Educação e Natureza http://@casaquilombe Brazil Brumadinho https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/brumadinho tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/244963 2023-12-19T00:00:00Z 2024-01-15T16:49:09Z Trabalhar com materiais recicláveis como papelão, vidros, latas, garrafas pet, cerâmicas quebradas transformando-os em novos produtos. Faremos orientação para o descarte correto dos materiais recicláveis. Os produtos serão entregues para cada aluno que fez a confecção e orientados em relação aos valores, se interessar pela venda desses produtos. Associação João Fernandes do Carmo Não descarte, faça arte. Brazil Brumadinho https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/brumadinho tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/217369 2023-12-18T00:00:00Z 2023-12-18T19:14:19Z The Latin Wealth platform is financial literacy platform for Latinos to help educate our community about business, entrepreneurship, investing and health. My goal is help close the wealth gap for the Latino community. With this building this community, I also want to give a platform to underrepresented Latinos who have talents, businesses, or authority in their industry. We interview different industry leaders from real estate, cryptocurrency, finances to creatives and have them share valuable insight on how they leverage their career to create wealth. With podcast adverting poised to hit $2.2 billion in revenue this year, a success podcast brand has proven to be lucrative, impactful and a fulfilling career. We plan on monetizing our platform by; offering ad placements, hosting weekly webinars, hosting in person workshops and offering business courses. I found my passion with podcast over 4 years ago and me being a Puerto Rican man, I’m also passionate about helping my community. Communities like that white and Asian communities have an abundance of financial literacy resources, while Latinos are severely lacking. The Latin Wealth platform is focused on filling that gap. Christopher Belloso Latin Wealth https://linktr.ee/latinwealth Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Ոչ ակտիվ) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239369 2023-12-18T00:00:00Z 2024-04-19T06:58:11Z Pittsburgh Sk8 Collaborative (PGH SK8) promises to revitalize community spirit and promote active, joyful living throughout Pittsburgh with a Portable Roller Rink Floor. The portable roller rink floor will offer the flexibility to host roller skating events throughout Pittsburgh in varying locations and venues, such as: local parks, gymnasiums, event spaces, and on protected streets for neighborhood gatherings. In 2023, PGH SK8 offered a series of low-cost, monthly, outdoor Summer SK8 events for all ages at the Schenley Park Skating Rink. Thanks to a new partnership, beginning in September 2023, monthly indoor Winter SK8 events are being held at Velum Fermentation on the South Side. With a portable roller rink floor, PGH SK8 will have the ability to provide skating in neighborhoods all across the city of Pittsburgh, reaching out to more underserved communities. Catlyn Brooke PGH SK8 Collaborative Portable Neighborhood Rink https://pghsk8.org/ United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/243679 2023-12-15T00:00:00Z 2023-12-14T23:31:44Z C.A.S.A. Cultura (Culture), Amigos (Friends), Salud (Health), and Ambiente (Environment) is a Minnesota non-profit that aims to serve that Latino community of Clay-Cass county. Since our beginning in May 2023, we have facilitated 3 successful gatherings reaching out to more than 60 Latino individuals and families in Fargo-Moorhead. CASA will be the first organization to focus on the Latino community since 2014! C.A.S.A. will advocate for equitable resources and opportunities for Latinos living in our community. We coordinate meetings and events to unite, discuss common problems, and evaluate possible solutions using our strengths, experience, and talents. We want to address barriers with cultural safety and humility to help ensure a stronger sense of support and belonging to our ever growing Latino community. We will connect Latinos with social, mental, education, & health services in their own language or, will provide translation and interpreting services to help them navigate the resources they need. We want to access land for growing food, grow our own food-based businesses and become self-sufficient. We will organize public & social events for families and their children to celebrate our cultures. To begin, we will create a network of mutual awareness among the 7500 Latinos in the communities of Fargo-Moorhead area including Clay and Cass Counties. The 2020 census figures probably undercounted Latino residents because of general mistrust and immigration status. The figures indicate that about 1/3 of the Latinos are dispersed throughout the counties rather than in specific population centers. Bringing our families to feel “en CASA” (at home) will require a lot of patient relationship building to make the invisible be seen again if they so choose. We believe home is where the heart is and we aim to being CASA to the homes of the many families in our community that chose to make Clay-Cass county the home for them and their future generations to come! Kory Powell-Oliver C.A.S.A. Cultura, Amigos, Salud y Ambiente https://www.facebook.com/casa.CulturaAmigosSaludAmbiente United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239398 2023-12-14T00:00:00Z 2024-08-12T15:22:01Z Gordon Parks High School students will now have an iPad Charging Station thanks to AwesomeStPaul. The students and teachers will be building the docking station so students will be able to charge up their iPads before leaving school for the day. Congratulations students and teachers! What an awesome idea. According to winning applicant Merredith Joly, "Gordon Parks High School is Saint Paul Public School's Alternative Learning Center High School named in honor of Gordon Parks who is a celebrated photojournalist among many other areas who became prominent in the 1940s through 1970s working in civil rights, poverty and African American culture. GP is located on University Avenue and Griggs right off the train line. Our students come to us in need with the ultimate goal of finishing their high school degree and graduating! We are a Title 1 setting with almost 200 high school students aged 16-21. Many have gone through so much in their lives and want the best future for themselves and their families. "Students often leave school daily without a location to charge an I pad in their personal dwelling. Many of our students are transient, "Couch surf" and going to work immediately after leaving school that any way we can help alleviate the worry of having an I pad charged and ready for use the next day is needed. "We want to construct an I pad docking station for our Alternative Learning Center students at Gordon Parks High School. Many of our students are missing, lost, or have had I pad charging equipment stolen. For this reason, our project idea involves our students and staff as a collective unit working together to construct a station where students will be able to plug their I pad in before leaving Gordon Parks each day." Merridith Joly on behalf of Gordon Parks HS Gordon Parks HS Ipad Charging Station United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/231335 2023-12-13T00:00:00Z 2023-12-14T18:59:38Z Hello, I am a teacher from East Technical High School (A CMSD school) located in East Cleveland. Recently our school has partnered up with Good Knights from Lorain County to expand into Cuyahoga County by making the school it new “chapter”. Our goal is to give children ages 3 to 18 a bed to sleep in. The students and staff of East Tech volunteer there time to build head and foot boards and deliver them to local children who may have never even had a bed before. What this process looks like is first we gather the materials and build the head and foot boards. All mattresses and bedding have been donated to us. Then CMHA identifies the families that need beds for their children. Once they are identified we determine a delivery date and East Tech students and staff deliver assemble and make the bed with fresh bedding for the child. Rachel Safick Every Child Deserves a Good Knight http://Goodknightsoftlc.org United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/236345 2023-12-13T00:00:00Z 2024-01-08T14:32:17Z I use 20% of sales from my Soul Man Sweets baking business and invest it back into the community. Each month I pick two or more recipients that receive either a donation of baked goods, service or a monetary donation. Recent recipients have been a family that unexpectedly lost their dad. I worked with a children's book author who donated a signed book, I made illustrated cookies to go with each page and gave them a financial donation as well. The Carroll Community College Foundation auctioned off a cooking class with me to raise money for their scholarship program. I worked with 1623 to raise money for a Stronger Than Cancer Fundraiser. Each month a local nursing home receives baked good to help them celebrate special days. I've also done cookie decorating classes with the residents. My favorite Sweets for the Soul projects are the ones that I don't post. Making birthday cakes for families that can't afford to buy nice ones for their children. I also give to local sports and dance programs and other organizations. Cameron Livesay Sweets for the Soul Project http://soulmansweets.com United States Westminster, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/westminster tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241176 2023-12-13T00:00:00Z 2023-12-14T18:59:20Z Founded in Sept. 2022, The Black Birth Collective (TBBC) came together organically in the preceding months. TBBC’s founders were drawn together by their shared vision of sustainably uplifting the work and quality of life of Black birth workers. TBBC is dedicated to delivering compassionate and intentional support to Black birth workers who provide evidence based practices that improve the maternal and infant vitality across Northeast Ohio’s Black Community. Through strategic, multi-layered education and training,TBBC improves healthy birth and maternal outcomes. Since its inception, TBBC has hosted: a community open-house showcasing the volume, quality, and depth of Black birth services available to Northeast Ohio’s Black families; community care meet-ups including yoga sessions and group dinners; and workshops on various aspects of the birth experience including lactation. One of TBBC’s current projects is Sistah-Djiguene, inspired by TBBC’s co-founder and president, Marlene Morris’s June 2023 trip to Senegal. Through conversation with birth workers at the Centre de Santé Camberene in Dakar, Marlene saw an opportunity for cross-cultural exchange and professional development by bringing Black birth workers from Northeast Ohio together with Senegalese birth workers. The small cohort travelling from Cleveland will include four Black birth workers, and a Black mother who specializes in postpartum care and African traditions. In addition to transporting requested medical supplies, the team will join cross-cultural roundtables about community needs & birth practices and will shadow/assist birth workers at two hospital wards. To support individual and group wellness, the team will have daily briefings & debriefings. By fostering community and exchange between Cleveland & Dakar, Sistah-Djiguene will create a ripple effect that impacts each birth worker, their colleagues, their Northeast Ohio community, and — most importantly — the Black families they serve. Marlene Morris Sistah-Djiguene: Bridges to Sisterhood https://theblackbirthcollective.org United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241738 2023-12-13T00:00:00Z 2023-12-14T01:43:20Z Each year the Post plays host to over 100 Veterans from across the state. The local lobstermen take the abled bodied out for a day of fishing and touring. The wheelchair bound are hosted to a range of games including bingo. This year we plan on bring those folks for a walk through town to experience Bearskin Neck. The group are welcomed with coffee and donuts followed by a box lunch prepared by the Legions Auxcillary. Finally after the boats come back a full dinner is prepared and served by the Post. It is so important to these Vets to get away from the institution that house them. AmericanLegion Post 98 Disabled Veterans Outing http://n/a United States Rockport, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/rockport tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242108 2023-12-13T00:00:00Z 2023-12-14T18:59:06Z We are a non-profit organization whose mission is create connections among people and planet, and we do so through textiles! Over 60% of our clothing is made fossil-fuel derived plastic. Over 98% of our clothing is produced overseas. The Rust Belt Linen Project provides an entrypoint for people to become involved in a community that is asking questions about where our clothes come from, how our textiles impact our people and planet, and what we can do about it! We've been running this particular project: The Rust Belt Linen Project- successfully now for 5 years! This is a community grow program that supports anyone who already has access to any little garden plot with 1)the seeds and 2) the instructions for how to grow flax (for linen). This project creates conversation about where our clothes come from- but even more importantly, embedded within the months-long project, there is a community built among those who would like to grow flax as well as a learning impact around how to grow and harvest something like flax and how to even make your own clothing from it! This past year, we 33 had people from all over our fibershed (within 250 miles of Cleveland) growing flax at all different scales! 12 of those growers were in Cuyahoga County. For the past few years, we have been operating without a budget, and the project has been incredibly successful! We've garnered attention from The New Yorker, Ideastream, NPR, with Modern Farmer and The New York Times all currently have stories about the project that have been pitched. Other Fibershed affiliate groups in other parts of America have utilized this project in their own communities from our open source documentation of how to run this project. Jess Boeke Rust Belt Linen Project https://rustbeltfibershed.com/the-cleveland-flax-project United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/243410 2023-12-13T00:00:00Z 2024-01-08T17:05:19Z SCRAP Creative Reuse’s mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. The Empower Creative Reuse Program seeks to continue to provide art supplies to historically marginalized individuals by granting opportunities for creative expression through artistic channels. The initiative plans to furnish creative reuse art kits supporting environmental education, focusing on fostering reuse, self-expression, and a positive outlook, especially for individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds and low socioeconomic status. We will be coordinating our Empower Creative Reuse craft kit giveaway with our awesome partners at Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor District Libraries who serve as amazing community hubs and have supported us as kit distribution centers and workshop locations in the past. With the library site program managers, we will determine the most beneficial pre-made art kits that are needed by the people they support. By actively engaging with these communities, we ensure the most direct access to tools for self-expression and healing through the arts. Caitlin Burr Empower Creative Reuse https://annarbor.scrapcreativereuse.org/SCRAP-Gives-Back United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239487 2023-12-12T00:00:00Z 2023-12-15T00:22:39Z I work at the Council on Aging in Ipswich. We work with many low income elders. I recently have gotten requests for bedding (some with out a bed!). Many only have one set of old sheets and not comfortable warm comforters. I will be using the $1000 to purchase new bedding sets, mattress pads and provide rolls of quarters to launder bedding for seniors. This not only provides warmth and comfort, but a sense of dignity to our older residents. Jennifer Flynn A warm bed United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/225996 2023-12-12T00:00:00Z 2023-12-15T20:53:55Z I have two vintage sticker vending machines that I would like to refurbish and stock with locally designed stickers. The machines give off nostalgic vibes and spotlight local artists. I imagine the machines traveling around to different locations to do pop ups featuring different artists. I am calling it Cereal City Sticker Co in ode to the city that smells like cheerios. Artists would be paid in advance for their designs and the machine would advertise their designs and a link to their social media. Customers would receive a randomized sticker by inserting five quarters into the slot. Emma Brittain Local Artist Sticker Machine United States Buffalo, NY (Ոչ ակտիվ) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/buffalo tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/231505 2023-12-11T00:00:00Z 2024-02-04T20:24:14Z The Redbud Writing Project brings the transformative power of creative writing to adults in North Carolina's Research Triangle region. Since 2019, we have offered classes in fiction, memoir, poetry, and more to thousands of students. We employ approximately ten instructors, all of them professional writers who hold graduate degrees in creative writing, to teach our courses at bookstores and community spaces across the Triangle. We follow a philosophy of rigor and care in our classes: students receive actionable, concrete feedback the likes of which they would receive in a graduate-level course. Some of our classes are tuition-based, meaning that students pay to participate, while others are free to the community: we believe strongly that creative writing should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it. We've offered free classes to survivors of domestic violence and assault; BIPOC writers; people writing about their reproductive justice experiences; and more. For example, in spring 2022, we offered a free two-hour memoir course to low-income, BIPOC seniors at the Durham Center for Senior Life. The students were thrilled at the opportunity to learn about memoir and start the process of setting down their life story; they felt this was especially important because Durham is changing so rapidly and stories of the people who grew up in the city will soon be lost. In these cost-free classes, as well as in our tuition-based classes, we've noted the transformative healing power of creative writing: our students regularly speak to the catharsis of finding a space where they can center their own narrative and gain access to an artistic community. Emily Cataneo Redbud Writing Project http://redbudwriting.org United States Durham, NC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/durham tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241756 2023-12-11T00:00:00Z 2023-12-11T21:43:45Z We are a non-profit organization that enables people to access healthcare by providing flights on private planes at no cost. Our volunteer pilot network transports clients seeking abortion or gender-affirming care across the United States. Most people in the United States are within thirty miles of an air strip; at least one small airport with a single runway. Unfortunately, today there is a growing need for folks to access additional types of assistance. Individuals are facing challenges to their bodily autonomy all over this country. And for those seeking health services, it can mean days of travel, time and wages lost from work, time away from families where they are the primary caregiver, and other significant financial investments. We don’t like that we need to exist, but we know that we can help. We use volunteer pilots to this end, but there are times and place where volunteer pilots are either not available to fly passengers directly or it is most efficient to fly commercially. With the growing need for commercial flights for those seeking abortions and gender affirming care, our need for funding has dramatically increased. We do not believe in leaving anyone behind if our volunteer pilots are not available or able to provide efficient travel- so we are also providing the funding for commercial flights. We understand you mention no funding for travel, but the travel is not for our staff, but rather a part of our entire mission- we provide travel to other states for reproductive care, so we hope we still fit within the parameters of your grant guidelines. Teuta Harrier Emergency Travel Funds- Elevated Access Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Ոչ ակտիվ) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242580 2023-12-09T00:00:00Z 2023-12-11T01:06:25Z My project is to print a set of DC archaeology-themed stickers and a small activity book to teach children (and adults) about local history. Archaeology is an amazing way to teach students skills in science, history, math, art, critical thinking, and literature. It’s how we know what we know about most of the everyday lives of people in the past. But it isn’t often taught in K-12 classrooms. I work for an organization called Archaeology in the Community (AITC). We’re a DC-based nonprofit dedicated to introducing students and our community to archaeology and our shared human past. Working with the DC Historic Preservation Office and the DC City Archaeologist (did you know you have a City Archaeologist?), AITC is organizing DC’s first ever Archaeology Month in June 2024. This will be a month of public events and celebrations, starting with the DC Day of Archaeology Festival at Dumbarton House on June 1. AITC is producing informal educational materials, such as posters and postcards, that highlight archaeological sites in DC. These will be given away for free, especially to DC teachers for the 2024-2025 school year. My idea is to create an archaeology sticker activity book that AITC can sell starting in June at the DC Day of Archaeology Festival and on our website for $10 each. The proceeds would go toward covering future DC Archaeology Month (2025 and beyond) printing costs, making the program more self-sustaining. The pack would come with at least 5 large stickers and a booklet with at least 4 DC archaeology-based activities. In future years, the activities can be updated with new archaeological research and sticker designs. Beth Pruitt Capitol Archaeology Sticker Activity Book http://www.archaeologyincommunity.com United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/239986 2023-12-06T00:00:00Z 2023-12-08T15:39:49Z Roughly Staged is a community project in Glasgow which helps people create theatre. We run regular events which support playwrights, and people who are interested in playwriting, to experiment and explore in a creative environment. Since 2022 we have run 4 events (on a shoestring budget) at the Old Hairdresser’s, Glasgow. For each event, we invite writers from around Glasgow to submit original 15 minute plays. We have a panel which chooses three plays to put on. On the night, actors perform the plays to the audience and we invite feedback to help the writers improve their work. So far, Roughly Staged has supported over 50 artists to develop their skills and get into theatre. Predominantly, these artists come from working class and marginalised backgrounds, and our night is often the first opportunity they have to see their writing performed by actors. Some selected audience feedback: “I'm not sure what I was expecting but you totally blew whatever it was out of the water! I could not be more proud of my friends. From the flawless organisation to the quality of the writing to the outstanding performances, and all presented by the most fabulous hosts. I may have missed the first two Roughly Staged events but I won't make that mistake in the future!” “Nice seeing new work, thought the standard was really good for both writing and performances” “Really positive and supportive atmosphere for the actors and writers. - Creates the opportunity for people who don't normally engage in theatre (either because they might find the duration of a play or the cost of a theatre ticket daunting) to participate and enjoy different types of plays.” David Hewitson Roughly Staged - A night of new theatre writing https://roughlystaged.com/ United Kingdom Glasgow https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/glasgow tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241787 2023-12-05T00:00:00Z 2023-12-06T06:06:29Z Hello Awesome SF Team, My project is one in which art, design, and sustainability meet. In short, I will be making a chair out of rice hulls. The chair will be circularly designed meaning its life will end by looping back into the earth plus the form allows for parts to be easily replaced rather than the whole of the chair being replaced. In order to take circular design to the next level, waste can be synthesized to become the raw material. Rice Hulls, a byproduct of rice farming, is the material for the project. Due to their locality (90% of California rice comes from Sacramento County), and their abundance (about 3.9 million kg are produced a year in the US) it is the perfect material to reduce carbon and tell a local story. As it stands I tackled this project during my final year of college however due to a lack of funding resources I was not able to complete the chair. However, after almost a year of experimenting, research, and prototypes I have found a way to synthesize rice hull concrete a sustainable, biodegradable, non-toxic, alternative to concrete! As a designer and artist, this project represents the responsibility we have to find creative ways to create not only fascinating products but sustainable ones. Creating a chair is the designer's right of passage and with this rice hull chair, I look to become worthy (and Awesome)! Liam McArdle-Hankin Rice Hull Chair https://liammcardledesign.com/design/capstone-project United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/219192 2023-12-04T00:00:00Z 2023-12-04T20:45:36Z We are a nonprofit organization geared towards providing thriving skills to the community. One of the skills we teach is how to grow food. We have an urban farm that teaches youth, young adults and senior citizens how to grow, sustain and harvest fresh food. However, we do not have seating on our urban farm and often we have to sit on buckets or the ground. We would love to have benches built around our shaded area. Our seating area will be used for rest and storytelling. Ebony LunsfordEvans Seating for our Urban Farm Worldwide Awesome Without Borders (Ոչ ակտիվ) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/awesomewithoutborders tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241079 2023-12-04T00:00:00Z 2023-12-05T17:06:50Z Chronicles of the Sea is an immersive theatre production in which the players solve paleo-linguistical and archaeological puzzles about a woman’s journey to self-empowerment at the end of the civilization. Chronicles started out as an interactive logbook that explored the language-translation as a game mechanic, through which players uncovered a story. The story is situated on the fictional Huandzay island where the main deity is "the Sea-spirit" and society is built around water. To create the language I researched ocean sounds and developed a glyph system based on sea deposits at Brighton Beach. In the story there is a prophecy that the Sea will flood the island because of humanity's greed and neglect. This is a direct allegory for climate change and human exploitation of the earth's resources and people's estrangement of the sea. This is especially tangible in New York. I have successfully playtested a small version of the game called The Researcher's Lab, but I want to scale up and shift the focus to the protagonist's (the priestess Shahda) journey to emancipation. She will be embodied by 6 different dancers who will facilitate each group of players (2-4 people per puzzle; 6 puzzles so 12-24 participants per run). There will be dance, acting and puzzle solving. The Journey will take place on the water--on a boat, or on a deck in the summer months. There is one central space, "the harbor", which is where dance occurs. Around it there are 6 small pods that each contain artefacts from a section of Shahda's life. As the players interact with the objects, Shahda will be prompted to tell stories of her past that relate to those objects. Upon solving the puzzle, Shahda hands them a beads of a necklace. After succesfully finishing all the puzzles, all the players convene in the harbor and assemble the necklaces and give them to their respective Shahda, who will then embody the Sea Spirit. The experience culminates in the dancers dancing as "the sea". Jet Vellinga Chronicles of the Sea - Huandzay https://jetvellinga.myportfolio.com/chronicles-of-the-sea Worldwide On the Water https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/onthewater tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/241926 2023-12-03T00:00:00Z 2023-12-13T21:03:59Z Abram Katz's awesome project involves photographing the 'unseen.' So often in our society, there is not enough light shown on the marginalized communities. So many of us go unnoticed, unappreciated, misunderstood. This project seeks to showcase the beauty and strength held within each one of us. I will be capturing professional quality photographs of recently housed participants at Housing Matters in Santa Cruz, CA. This will have massive short and long-term community impact as I am partnering with a robust, community service-based organization who, like me, seeks to shift societal norms at a base level. The final art piece will be a tabletop reader of poignant photos and stories of trials and triumphs related to homelessness, as well as an epic art show of hand painted self-portraits derived from my photos, accompanied by several printed photos themselves, all themed around the concept of compassion, dignity, and community awareness. This project aims to truly uplift and inspire, encourage and empower the Santa Cruz community. Funding will be used to print high quality photos. Abram Katz Unseen Faces of Santa Cruz United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/243763 2023-12-03T00:00:00Z 2023-12-04T17:06:35Z Our awesome project will take place at Arte del Corazon’s annual Holiday Mercado on December 16th. The project includes multiple mini art workshops that highlight different cultural traditions practiced in Watsonville during the holidays. Artists and local educators Jessica Carrasco and Monica Galvan will create a curriculum that accurately represents this traditional rite, including background and templates for future community use. Workshops include a Reyes Magos lantern (Latin American), a Filipino Christmas Parol (star), and a Japanese Omamori (good luck pouch) for the New Year. Documentation of the workshop will include videography and photography of each workshop, as well as a comprehensive Workshop Packet to upload to the Arte del Corazon website and share. Our goal with this project is representation and for our audience to celebrate diversity. Funding will be used to purchase supplies and document the workshops. Monica Galvan Holiday Magic Workshop http://artedelcorazon.com United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/243359 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z 2023-12-07T23:25:03Z Project Description: Runway Revolution – Baltimore Chapter Overview: Runway Revolution, an initiative of Yele LLC, is a transformative fashion design program in Baltimore, blending Afrofuturistic aesthetics with contemporary fashion. Our mission is to empower individuals, particularly women of color in Baltimore, through fashion design education, culminating in a showcase of their work. Goals and Objectives: - To offer a 10-week intensive course in fashion sewing and design to 4-8 participants, focusing on individuals with little to no sewing experience in the Baltimore area. - To empower participants by developing their skills to a level where they can confidently create and present pieces on the runway. - To conclude with a fashion showcase event in Baltimore, spotlighting the participants’ achievements and talents. Community Impact in Baltimore: - The program is specifically tailored to engage and uplift the Baltimore community, particularly focusing on inclusivity and diversity in fashion. - By equipping participants with marketable skills and confidence, the program aims to open new avenues for economic and personal growth within the Baltimore community. - The showcase event, a celebration of cultural diversity and talent, will foster community pride and engagement, highlighting Baltimore as a hub of creative and inclusive fashion. Baltimore-centric Approach: - Engagement with local Baltimore artists, businesses, and fashion industry professionals to mentor and support participants.. - Creating opportunities for local visibility and networking for participants, thereby directly contributing to Baltimore’s socio-cultural and economic landscape. Why It's Awesome for Baltimore: Runway Revolution is more than a fashion education program; it's a catalyst for community empowerment and cultural celebration in Baltimore. Abisola Yelé Oladeinde Runway Revolution https://www.wmar2news.com/local/master-class-international-fashion-designer-trains-students-in-baltimore United States Baltimore, MD (Ոչ ակտիվ) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/baltimore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/232717 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z 2023-12-01T13:46:22Z “When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.” — John Muir John Muir’s quote about nature is also true for individuals, for communities, and for fishing nets. Connective tissue is the net that holds our bodies together. Networks are what binds our neighborhoods. And the fishing net is the fiber that captures Gloucester’s social, cultural, and economic story, a complex weave of heritage and history. “The Net Works” is a multi-sensory installation built upon the narrative of Gloucester’s fishing community. The fishing net serves as the literal and metaphorical embodiment of this concept in an immersive exhibit that creates a texture of scents, sounds, and tactile experiences, where the visitor, like a fish, moves through a passage of netting. This is not only an installation about the fishing community but also for the community, as well as other visitors. Designed to be a visceral experience, the exhibit aims to give each visitor a deeper understanding of how each of our actions moves the whole, and perhaps, pause to consider our actions in a larger network of civilization. The installation incorporates accessible and inclusive design that invites exploration and engagement. While all the visitors will be in the same net, so to speak, the experience will look and feel differently to each of them. Erika Senft Miller The Net Works https://erikasenftmiller.com/ United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/237453 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z 2023-12-01T13:45:28Z This is an award giving to children or adults in our community who show selfless service, hard working traits and leadership skills that make our community a better place to be. Brendan Chipperini High 5 Award United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/240112 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z 2023-12-05T02:41:10Z November’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Alisa McClain and Pinball Women Ottawa to support the Women’s Provincial Pinball Championship. “On January 21,” says Alisa, “we will host the 3rd ever Women’s Provincial Pinball Championship – right here in Ottawa.” “Pinball Women Ottawa has been building community and connection for over ten years,” she continues. “A decade ago, if you had gone to a mainstream pinball tournament you would have been surprised to see a woman or gender diverse player there, and now we are typically nearly 50% of the players because of the community building of the women’s league.” “I am incredibly proud of how we have changed the local pinball scene,” says Alisa. “And due to our amazing community building and regular tournaments, our local competitors will make up a good number of the 16 invited finalists that compete in the Provincial Championship.” “Hosting this tournament for the first time in Ottawa represents a huge accomplishment in our community building efforts.” Alisa is a social worker by day, and describes herself as focused on building and maintaining a trauma-informed community space for weirdos and non-conformers. Alisa McClain and Pinball Women Ottawa Women's Provincial Pinball Championship https://www.instagram.com/pinballwomenottawa/ Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/240923 2023-11-30T00:00:00Z 2023-12-01T22:21:15Z Through my project, Bay Area Autism Collective, I offer peer-support groups to autistic adults, where members can unmask and talk about personal issues outside of the neuro-normative's social rules and communication styles. My project originates from my experience as an autistic person and the pleas of the autistic community, which desperately needs systems that understand and affirm the autistic experience. There are very few groups for autistic adults run by autistic adults that aren’t generalized, instead focused on the primary issues the autistic population faces: relationship challenges, high unemployment (~65%), sexual violence (9 out of 10 autistic women), bullying (40% of autistic people), incarceration (4.4% of prisoners, which is double the prevalence in the general population), addiction (30% of autistic people), co-occurring conditions, medical gaslighting, autism- affirming mental health care, and high suicide/suicidality rates (¼ autistic people have attempted suicide). I want to grow my project! That requires adding groups that center on the above topics so autistic adults with unique needs can access support from people with shared experiences - and that requires paying experienced facilitators who are also autistic. It is a visionary step toward improving autistic support compared to existing programs that historically only supported autistic children. **What our grantee is saying:** "Receiving the Awesome Disability award means that Bay Area Autism Collective will be able to continue our advocacy and serve the adult autism community by providing peer support services that address the autistic community's most vulnerable areas. With this grant, we can enhance our infrastructure to expand our support groups from one to many. This award makes a world of difference for our small organization!" **What our trustees are saying:** "I really loved that they are a local support group and are doing these very specific survivor/recovery workshops!" Bird Sellergren Bay Area Autism Collective http://www.bayareaautismcollective.org Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/242347 2023-11-29T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T15:42:09Z This project aims to enhance community connectivity through building bridges for intergenerational communication. The project has three specific objectives. Firstly, it aims to create opportunities for intergenerational conversations between Penn State students and older adults residing in State College's retirement homes. Secondly, the project aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by Penn State students combating poverty. Last but not least, it endeavors to facilitate international students' understanding of American community culture and the tradition of Garage/Yard Sales. For nearly two decades, Foxdale Village, a non-profit continuing care retirement community in State College, has organized a half-day, community-wide Garage Sale in April and September. This bi-annual event involves the sale of a diverse range of items, including but are not limited to furniture, books, kitchenware, sheets and towels, and holiday decorations, all at remarkably low prices. The meticulous planning and organization of this half-day event span months and are entirely orchestrated by the residents of the retirement community. Donations from incoming, current, and deceased residents contribute to the array of goods available. The funds raised during the event do not go to any individual's pocket. Instead, they are allocated to support various activities and clubs in which the residents actively participate. Despite consistently drawing local customers, the Garage Sale struggles to reach Penn State students, particularly those facing financial challenges. Limited awareness among students results in missed opportunities to purchase items at significantly reduced prices and to interact with older adults who have rich life experiences. To address this, I propose an increased effort in publicizing the event among Penn State students, especially those facing financial challenges or hailing from low-income backgrounds. Minghui Sun Intergenerational Communication at the Garage Sale United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/statecollege