tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/hy/projects?page=5 2024-10-24T10:55:12Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296822 2024-10-23T00:00:00Z 2024-10-24T10:55:12Z My name is Jaiden, a lifelong resident of Georgetown and a proud member of Troop 51 in Scouting America. I am currently working toward the rank of Eagle which requires completing a meaningful community service project. For my project, I have chosen to create a historical walking tour around Georgetown to highlight the events and landmarks that have shaped our town’s rich history. The goal of this project is to create a deeper appreciation for our local history, while encouraging fitness and being outdoors by creating a walking trail through town. The walking tour will include a detailed map, which will be printed for residents and featured on the Town’s website. A sample of the walking trail map is attached. As part of the project, I will place signs at several of the historical sites around Georgetown. Each sign will serve as a marker, providing a brief description of the site’s historical significance. Attached is a generic layout of the sign, which includes a QR code. Scanning this QR code will lead visitors to a video where a different Scout narrates the history of the site, offering insights into related events or interesting facts. The videos and site information will also be hosted on the Town’s website, making the tour accessible online. This project has received overwhelming support from key community organizations, including the Georgetown Historical Commission, Georgetown Historical Society, Georgetown High School History Department, Scouting America, and members of Town Hall. I have collaborated with representatives from each of these groups to identify the list of historical sites and ensure the tour fully reflects our town’s unique heritage. There are many people and organizations in town that are rooting for the success of this project with the common goal that our community can uncover and celebrate the hidden gems of Georgetown's history. Jaiden Shah Georgetown History Trail United States Georgetown, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/georgetown tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296032 2024-10-23T00:00:00Z 2024-10-24T10:55:25Z Georgetown Ski Club has been a long standing tradition within the town. It's been going for over 20 years. This is really a stand alone social club as it doesn't fit into any other group or organizations parameters. Ski club is open to anyone between 3rd and 12th grade living in Georgetown, generating and supporting interest in a life long full family winter activity. As a town, we generally lack these types of options for our youth. My hope is that getting this up and running as a stand alone social club, it will not only secure the future of this club, but maybe serve as an inspiration for others to do the same with other activities. We typically have well over 100 kids each season. It is the largest club/asset this town has to offer and I think the longest running one. If it was tied to Parks and Rec then it would be subject to having the town fund an employee to run it and that position can (and likely would be) cut killing the ski club. It used to be managed by the PTA, but the MA PTA said it did not fit the mission and could no longer by supported that way. Last year, the board of the Friends of GYCC were asked to help. I joined that board to ensure Ski Club continued as I had been helping the PTA with it. We ran it as a GYCC program, sponsored by The Friends of GYCC. This year, with no brick and mortar GYCC, it makes sense for the Ski Club to become an independent social club. I'm hoping to get sponsorship from Awesome Georgetown in addition to the continued support from the Friends of GYCC. It will essentially operate as a net zero club, the amount charged to each child to ski will be the same that is set by Ski Bradford. If any additional amounts are collected it will be transparent as to what they are for and optional. For example - we try to provide snacks on the last week of club. I could charge $10 per person and use that money on the last week, but it would be labels as end of season snacks, not a mark up of the lift ticket. Laura Cole Georgetown Ski and Board Club United States Georgetown, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/georgetown tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/287604 2024-10-23T00:00:00Z 2025-01-27T20:41:29Z The Rise Up Teen Summit is more than just an event—it’s a movement, a powerful catalyst for change created by a teenager with a vision to empower her peers and transform communities. Founded by London Miller, a 14-year-old who has faced the challenges of living with ADHD and the pain of not being accepted by others, the summit is a testament to her resilience and determination to make a difference. London’s personal struggles inspired her to create a space where other teens could find their voice, share their experiences, and join forces to address the issues that matter most to them. Held every three months, the Rise Up Teen Summit provides a safe haven where teens can break free from the chains of silence and fear, speaking openly about the challenges they face and the dreams they dare to pursue. Each summit tackles a critical theme that resonates deeply with the experiences of today’s youth. From building supportive relationships to cultivating leadership, confronting bullying, and the upcoming focus on boundaries, the summit doesn’t just talk about change—it demands it. This time, we’re not just setting personal boundaries; we’re erasing the territorial lines that divide our communities and fuel violence. We’re calling on teens from every neighborhood to rise above the divisions that have kept them apart for too long. Together, we will dismantle the walls of misunderstanding and hostility, replacing them with bridges of trust, empathy, and solidarity. Through powerful keynote speeches, raw and real panel discussions, and hands-on workshops, the Rise Up Teen Summit pushes teens to confront their fears, embrace their strengths, and unite in a shared vision of peace and progress. This is where the seeds of change are planted—where young voices are not just heard but amplified, and where the bonds forged can reshape the future of entire communities. The Rise Up Teen Summit is more than a gathering; it’s a revolution led by the youth, for the youth. Sonya Miller Rise Up Teen Summit http://LondonAid.org United States Miami, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/miami tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/292224 2024-10-22T00:00:00Z 2025-04-15T02:10:48Z Our awesome project is a funny podcast about dinosaurs (and other fossil things). Weird & Dead is a comedic science podcast where two gossipy paleontologists, Amy Atwater and Meaghan Wetherell, dish on the most bizarre, embarrassing, and fascinating stories from evolution’s past. From fossilized dinosaur butts (and what's found inside of them) to the drama behind naming new species, we dive deep into paleontology with a playful and irreverent tone. Our podcast brings paleontology to an audience of adults who love science but aren’t necessarily scientists themselves. Our reviews refer to us as "unhinged", "sophomoric", and "incredible", and all of those are accurate. We think science should be fun, dinosaurs are fundamentally ridiculous, and that fossils should make you giggle as well as contemplate the incredible resilience of life. The podcast has already gained a loyal following but to reach its full potential, we need better equipment and the chance to film together in person. Since Amy is based in rural Colorado and Meaghan in nowheresville Washington and neither of us have anything resembling good internet, remote recordings can be problematic. A lot of our jokes would be funnier without lag, and editing would be easier to boot. Also, microphones whose structural integrity relied less on tape and zip ties would be good. Weird & Dead premiered in January 2024 and we are currently releasing season 2. Our episodes currently get around 200 listens on their premiere day across our different platforms and we are regularly charting on different podcast apps in the Earth Science category. With improved equipment and more in-person recordings, we can elevate the show’s production quality, continue building a larger audience, and create more engaging content. Meaghan Wetherell and Amy Atwater Weird & Dead Podcast Improvements http://weirdanddead.com United States Seattle, WA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/seattle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297528 2024-10-21T00:00:00Z 2024-12-16T20:50:55Z Blessings for Bocsy is a kindness movement focused on spreading compassion and raising awareness about mental health, with a special focus on engaging young people. The project was inspired by and honors the memory of David Bocsy, who tragically lost his battle with mental illness. The project encourages people to perform small acts of kindness that can ripple out and make a lasting impact in their communities. At the heart of the project are custom keychains, each marked with a unique hashtag and serial number. When a person receives a keychain, they are encouraged to perform an act of kindness, log their story online using the hashtag, and pass the keychain along. This allows tracking of each keychain’s journey as it travels through schools and communities, showing how far one act of kindness can spread. Blessings for Bocsy has plans to partner with schools to distribute keychains to students and engage them in conversations about kindness, mental health, and community support. These keychains serve as tools to inspire students to take action and spread positivity, while also raising awareness about the importance of mental health. Bonnie Moore Blessings for Bocsy http://BlessingsForBocsy.com United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/298612 2024-10-17T00:00:00Z 2024-10-18T01:40:38Z October’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Marianne Ariganello to support pumpkin rescue in the days after Halloween. A project of the [Ottawa South Eco Action Network] (https://www.osean.org/) (OSEAN), [Pumpkins for the Planet] (https://www.osean.org/pumpkins-for-the-planet) collects and rescues carved and intact pumpkins from across Ottawa South in early November. “With the help of a lot of wonderful volunteers and local companies,” explains Marianne, “we donate carved pumpkins to local farms – where they are given as feed to animals – and intact pumpkins to local groups tackling food insecurity – where they become part of nutritious meals for clients.” “Neighbours can choose to drop off pumpkins at their closest local collection spots on volunteers’ driveways or front yards, or drop off pumpkins at our central ‘Pumpkin Alley’ where they can be admired one last time,” she continues. Last year, Pumpkins for the Planet re-homed more than 1,900 carved pumpkins to nine local farms, and rescued more than 330 intact pumpkins and distributed them to eight food organizations. There were 17 collection sites across three city wards, and more than 20 volunteers. Want to volunteer, or own a business with a truck or trailer that can help transport pumpkins? You can connect with Marianne through [OSEAN’s website] (https://www.osean.org/pumpkins-for-the-planet). Marianne is a scientist, mother, and environmental advocate. Marianne Ariganello Pumpkins for the Planet https://www.osean.org/pumpkins-for-the-planet Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297482 2024-10-17T00:00:00Z 2024-10-18T13:45:18Z In just three short years, our project has made a remarkable impact on our local community, supporting both children and businesses. Our initiative brings joy to children on Christmas morning, creating unforgettable memories and smiles. People are thrilled to hear that we are bolstering the local economy by involving children and businesses in our efforts. Our project is inclusive and community-driven. Anyone can participate by donating their empties or becoming a drop-off location. The boys were astonished to discover that dimes can be hidden in cans and bottles, turning what was destined for landfills into Christmas morning smiles. This project makes you say “wow” as you witness the incredible vision and determination of two autistic children who saw an opportunity to make a difference. With 100% of the $1000 grant, we will be able to purchase even more presents for children in our community, ensuring that the joy continues to spread. This funding will directly translate into more smiles and happiness for children who might otherwise go without during the holiday season. Our project will endure as long as people keep hydrating. This is our third annual donation year, and we are committed to making each year better than the last. Winning this grant will help us continue to support our local economy and bring happiness to children during the holiday season. The community’s involvement and enthusiasm have been overwhelming, and we are excited to see how much more we can achieve together. By awarding us this grant, you are not just supporting a project; you are investing in a community-driven initiative that transforms recyclables into joy and hope for children. Together, we can make every Christmas morning a little brighter and every child’s smile a little wider! Sarah Venus Venus Family Toy Box http://www.facebook.com/venusfamilytoybox Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294175 2024-10-17T00:00:00Z 2024-10-18T17:26:26Z We are trying to help better create a sense of inclusion and equity at our school, especially for our classified English Learners and their families. To do this, we need to have more funds for, culturally relevant curriculum and events, as well as to create educational and social opportunities for the families of our students. Offering families a bigger role in their child's educational experience is vital to the academic and social emotional success of the student, but if families don't necessarily feel comfortable because of cultural, language or other barriers they tend not to attend school activities. So our goal this year is to create a more inclusive space, where we target families that have previously been in the background. We will be holding monthly meetings such as the ELAC (English Learner Advisory Council) and other opportunities to connect, but we will be including food which always helps bring people together. In this case, we will offer pan dulce and Cafecito (Mexican sweet bread and coffee.) Culturally, Pan Dulce and Cafecito represents comradery, a time to get together with close friends and family, share about life, and feel at home. It doesn't seem like much, and yet food brings people together in any culture. The issue is that minimal funds in public school districts doesn't always cover food for meetings and gatherings. So any extra money received would be so helpful in our endeavors to bring people together for the health and wellbeing of our students. To better create a sense community where all families have a voice and their voice is heard. Monica Sunzeri Cafecito con Pan United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294332 2024-10-16T00:00:00Z 2024-10-29T17:37:09Z We would like to coordinate a community event for the Class of 2025 (seniors) and the Class of 2037 (kindergarten) during the week of IHS Homecoming. We are looking to establish a connection between the two grade levels as a way to promote kindness across the community. We have seen a few variations of this on YouTube and TikTok, and we have a plan to bring it here to Ipswich. Our idea is simple, have the current kindergarten classes of both Doyon and Winthrop, meet with the current Senior Class of IHS. This would happen on the turf field at Jack Welch Stadium, prior to an event during IHS homecoming/spirit week, October 21-25. We will work with the school administration to coordinate. We want to have the kids on each end of the field, walk toward the middle and take a big group photo. The seniors could give the kindergarteners something(a note, sticker, etc.) to signify passing along school spirit and a sense of belonging to the school community. Our hope is through community donations we could get t-shirts for the students and make this a tradition for all, knowing they are part of something bigger, a community that cares for them and they are proud of. We know we have support from other parents, now we want to ask for yours. Sarah Marsella/MelMcFayden Senior/kindergarten walk together project United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297058 2024-10-15T00:00:00Z 2024-10-17T18:49:37Z One of our board members from the Pride Collective and Community Center recently met with Fargo’s Downtown Engagement Center (DEC), an organization that helps homeless people in Fargo access to support systems and find housing, to see how we could collaborate. The DEC mentioned that one of their current needs is assistance putting together welcome baskets for queer and transgender people who have moved into housing. Data and research show that when newly-housed people are able to find community, especially a community that holds a shared identity, they are more likely to stay housed. The Pride Collective wants to work with the Downtown Engagement Center to assist newly housed people in staying in their housing, and we want them to know that the Pride Collective is available as a community resource for them. The DEC and the Pride Collective will be in communication about when a welcome basket is needed for a queer and/or transgender person. Both of our organizations focus holistically on each person that utilizes our services, so each basket will be different to ensure that each person’s unique needs are met. While some basics will be included in every basket, such as literature for local resources, some items will be specialized. Some examples of these specialized items could include: -Providing a transgender man with a chest binder -Providing a transgender woman with makeup -Providing a person with appropriately-sized clothing that matches their gender expression Once put together, the Pride Collective will inform the Downtown Engagement Center that the basket is ready and will arrange a drop off time. Our goals from this project are to increase engagement between newly-housed people and the Pride Collective, strengthen our partnership with the DEC, and help newly-housed people find a community that will support them and their unique needs. By funding this project, the Awesome Foundation will be helping us achieve all of these goals. Alex Milton New Housing Welcome Baskets United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/277956 2024-10-15T00:00:00Z 2024-11-08T15:05:20Z Nossos projetos são realizados na Comunidade Vila Nova Cachoerinha na Regional Noroeste de Belo Horizonte. Uma área com grande adensamento urbano de Alta vulnerabilidade socioeconômica e com uma baixa articulação social. Hoje trabalhamos com 50 crianças e adolescente na faixa etária de 05 a 14 anos, todas moradoras das vilas Nova Cachoeirinha. Segundo dados do Censo do IBGE de 2020 (último disponível), a população residente no local, de baixa renda, ou seja, que recebe até ½ salário mínimo, é de mais de 30%. O nível de renda dificulta o direcionamento das famílias para as atividades que possam acolher e contribuir com o desenvolvimento das crianças, além do que é oferecido nas escolas. Também, a região carece de espaços e atividades de lazer que possam ser usados pelas famílias e suas crianças de forma gratuita, excetuando a interação que acontece nas ruas e becos da vila. Neste contexto, surgiu a proposta do projeto Favela em Ação para oferecer atividade de futebol contribuindo para que as crianças não fiquem nas ruas ou restritas aos seus espaços familiares e com pouca interação social. LEONARDO FERNANDES PROJETOS FAVELA EM AÇÃO NOVA CACHOERINHA Brazil Grande Belo Horizonte https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/rmbh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294956 2024-10-14T00:00:00Z 2024-10-14T23:39:58Z College Park Gallery is proud to present "Trigger Warning," a powerful solo exhibition by acclaimed artist Corie Mattie, also known as the LA Hope Dealer. The exhibition opens on October 12th from 6-9 pm, coinciding with Pride Week in Orlando, and will run through November 17, 2024. "Trigger Warning" is a bold and unapologetic exploration of the intersecting tensions between freedom, identity, and the growing threats to individual rights in America. Through her provocative and thought-provoking work, Mattie confronts the paradoxes within a society that publicly promotes freedom while simultaneously undermining it through restrictive laws and policies. Using the same stencils she deployed across Florida during the height of book bans and queer rights restrictions, Mattie reclaims and recontextualizes these symbols of resistance. The "gay guns" featured in this collection are not merely provocative images but serve as biting social commentary. They underscore the irony of a culture that fears a rainbow more than an assault rifle, challenging viewers to reflect on what is deemed dangerous and what is not. Flynn N Dobbs "Trigger Warning" by LA Hope Dealer Corie Mattie https://www.lahopedealer.com United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/289012 2024-10-14T00:00:00Z 2024-10-08T23:18:39Z The Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society is a volunteer organization who operates two historical properties in Darlington WI, as museums and archives, all free and open to the public. The organization also displays original works of local artists, publishes a quarterly newsletter, and facilitates public programming. Funds received from the Driftless Awesome Foundation will contribute to the historical society’s digital archive initiative, ensuring historical records, documents, and photos are stored and safely archived for future generations of Driftless residents. Particularly resonate with our team was the very apparent connection and commitment to the Driftless region, as noted in the application: “Our work preserves the history of the region including native Americans, early pioneers, miners, farmers, and fur traders. Embracing and preserving the special qualities of the Driftless is at the very heart of our mission.” We are thrilled to award our first micro grant to the Lafayette County Historical and Genealogy Society. Barbara L. Nemec Digital Archives, Lafayette Co Historical Society http://lafayettecohistoricalandgenealogy.com United States Driftless Region https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/driftless tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/298570 2024-10-13T00:00:00Z 2024-10-13T21:24:03Z Downtown Holiday Extravaganza: This project aims to create a vibrant series of free community events the first three weekends in December, that brings people together downtown, promotes local businesses, and fosters a sense of community spirit in Newburgh. Events will be held over three weekends, each featuring unique activities by different small businesses, public markets, and entertainment options. Michele Basch Downtown Holiday Extravaganza United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/300140 2024-10-10T00:00:00Z 2024-10-13T09:36:09Z Pitch up Geelong will highlight three worthy organisations pitching for your funds. The awardee for our latest event was ""THREAD TOGETHER" Pete Johnston Pitch Up Geelong Australia Geelong https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/geelong tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/289979 2024-10-10T00:00:00Z 2024-11-04T21:13:39Z AwesomeStPaul is pleased to honor the Metro School for Deaf with our October 2024 grant. According to their application the Metro School for Deaf will purchase The Acts ❤️f Kindness Series Books and Coloring books for Elementary students. The Coloring books feature ASL 26 Letter Alphabet pages. The books feature Dr.Fingers, The Fingerspelling Hermit Crab , Chelsey The Courageous Sign Language Chicken and Eve, The Fingerspelling Bumblebee 🐝. You Tube Videos are designed to teach ASL Alphabet Apple App Game online courses with Sign Language 🤟 Characters. October is Anti-bullying Month We would love to gift our students The Acts ❤️f Kindness Books and Coloring Books . Folkmanis puppets too! Matt Meindhardt The Acts ❤️f Kindness Series United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294368 2024-10-09T00:00:00Z 2024-10-16T14:12:55Z Fluttering Wheels is a new disability-led service organization based on disability justice principles in Lansing, MI. We believe healthcare is a human right. The central program is a free lending library of health equipment for community members. An Awesome Foundation Grant will help us expand this program. We are currently seeking equipment donation and will begin to promote loans and repair in winter 2025. We currently provide these services out of our home, completely free, on a case by case basis as capacity and stock allows. Since access to transportation is a major barrier for people with disabilities, we provide pick-up services and delivery of loans. In the coming year, we will begin to offer free repair and maintenance education for mobility aids, a large-donation match service to facilitate donations of specialized equipment such as hospital beds, hoyer lifts, and power wheelchairs, and inclusive emergency planning advocacy and education. Fluttering Wheels is the only non-faith based, fully inclusive and welcoming loan closet in the community as well as the only one offering pick-up, delivery. and repair. As a disability-led organization we are experts on the issues affecting disability communities, and the gaps in services and supports. Our current and future programming reflects this. Chloe Crawford Fluttering Wheels http://flutteringwheels.org United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296305 2024-10-09T00:00:00Z 2024-10-12T00:02:04Z I am a member of RAWtools, which has 'shops' in Asheville, NC, Philadelphia, PA, Buffalo, NY, and its main shop in Colorado Springs, CO. RAWtools is a cooperative movement aimed at turning "swords into plowshares" or "guns to gardens". We lose more than 100 people a day to gun violence in the United States, it’s becoming more and more clear that guns have no place in conflict resolution. My project is to start a mini-coop of RAWtools in Marin/San Francisco Counties of California, whereby people would donate their unwanted guns and receive a garden tool, perhaps made from other disabled guns. This program would, with the cooperation of local police, accept weapons with no questions and disable these surrendered weapons according to ATF guidelines. The project would also include the forging of disabled weapons, turning them into small shovels, hand rakes, etc. This would., in part, be done at public non-religious events where people, preferably those who have been affected by gun violence, could hammer these disabled weapons, slowly turning them into gardening tools. These events could be in a local community center, church parking lot, school parking lot, etc. Hopefully, I could get a volunteer to handle, or at least, help with the logistics. If even one gun is taken off the streets, this would make the community more "awesome". sterling sam Guns to Gardens Safe Surrender United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/274589 2024-10-08T00:00:00Z 2024-11-11T22:12:10Z Project Overview: The San Jose Mobile Ceramics Station aims to bring interactive ceramics and pottery experiences to community events, fairs, and festivals in San Jose. Unlike typical booths that only demonstrate or sell pottery, our mobile station will allow participants to engage hands-on with clay, spin the pottery wheel, and create their own pieces to take home. This project will foster creativity, provide a unique artistic outlet, and enhance community engagement at local events. Who Will Benefit: The primary beneficiaries will be the residents of San Jose attending community events, including children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. The project will provide an inclusive and interactive art experience that is often missing at local events. Project Goals: Impact: Offer a hands-on ceramics experience that will enhance the cultural and creative life of the San Jose community. Reach: Engage a broad audience by setting up at various popular community events and festivals. Staying Power: Build a sustainable mobile ceramics station that can continue to operate beyond the initial grant period. Accessibility: Provide a free or low-cost art experience to ensure participation from all socio-economic backgrounds. Amanda Ross The San Jose Mobile Ceramics Station United States San Jose, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sanjose tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294379 2024-10-07T00:00:00Z 2024-10-07T13:49:00Z Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is the deadliest wildlife pathogen ever recorded, contributing to the decline of over 500 and the extinction of at least 90 species. Earlier this year, Anthony Waddle and his colleagues published a paper detailing how his inexpensive “frog saunas” allow frogs to clear infection in Australia. This also provided frogs with resistance to future infections. I’m interested in adapting these shelters to in the cloud forest of Cusuco National Park, Honduras (CNP) with 2 species in the Plectrohyla genus. By supporting the efficacy of frog saunas in a cloud forest, they could be implemented in other cloud forests, which represent one of the most important yet threatened ecosystem types for endangered amphibians. If successful, I plan to train and employ local people to build and deploy saunas around the park, providing socio-economic benefits to conservation rather than illegal logging. Whitney Adam Frog Saunas Spread Beyond Australia Worldwide Conservation and Climate https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/conservationandclimate tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/291098 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-03T00:49:27Z Lomandra School, the largest Specialist Support School (SSP) in New South Wales, serves students with severe behavioural challenges, trauma backgrounds, and complex mental health conditions, from Years 5 to 12. Located in Campbelltown, Lomandra is committed to a trauma-informed approach to education, understanding the profound impact of trauma and socio-economic hardship on our students and their families. Our students often come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, facing limited opportunities and generational poverty. Many have never experienced simple joys, such as getting an ice cream from an ice cream van. At Lomandra, we believe education extends beyond academics; it's about preparing students for life. We address the holistic needs of our students, helping them develop practical skills, emotional intelligence, and social responsibility. Through programs focused on healthy lifestyles, self-regulation, and adapted sports, we empower our students to build resilience and face the challenges of the world. To celebrate our students' achievements and resilience, we want to make our end-of-year presentation special. For many of our students, having an ice cream from a van would be a first-time experience and a meaningful way to honour their hard work and dedication throughout the year. By bringing an ice cream truck to this event, we aim to provide more than just a treat; it will be a celebration of their perseverance and a joyful occasion for students and their families. This small gesture will recognise their efforts and create a lasting positive memory, reinforcing the value of their commitment to school. Our idea will make the city of Sydney more awesome by helping at-risk youth reach their full potential. By keeping high-risk students engaged in school through positive experiences like our sports program and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, we reduce the likelihood of them roaming the streets, which in turn decreases crime and critical incidents in the community. These initiatives provide a safe, supportive environment where students can build resilience, learn valuable life skills, and enjoy enriching experiences they might otherwise miss. By investing in these students, we not only improve their futures but also contribute to a safer, more vibrant city for everyone. Danielle Courtney Ice cream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream https://www.facebook.com/LomandraSchool1 Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297088 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-03T00:51:43Z The Parramatta Chapter of Cycling Without Age takes passengers along the cycle path beside the beautiful Parramatta River at Silverwater NSW. Our vision is for older adults and people with a disability to enjoy life, feel involved in their community and connected to the environment. We provide free rides on trishaw e-bikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists. The interaction of passengers, volunteers and their community promotes inclusivity, reduces isolation and helps to make our passengers feel valued. Nothing beats their smiles coming back from a ride with the “wind in their hair”, rosy cheeks and full of shared stories. Our 'bike' routes provide a clear public vision of community inclusiveness. The sight of our 'bikes' along the pathways not only raises awareness and visibility for older people and people with disability, it also engages community members. Smiles, waves, and conversations help improve mental health and wellbeing, strengthen connections, and build more inclusive communities. When we have monthly rides we provide morning tea for the passengers waiting for their turn on the Trishaw. We need to recruit more volunteers to cover rotation of volunteers. We also have ongoing costs for maintenance to ensure the Trishaw rides are safe for our passengers. Cycling Without Age is a global community service connecting elderly people and those less-abled with their community and the outdoors by giving them free rides on trishaw e-bikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists. Cycling Without Age Australia, Inc (CWAA) is a registered charity established to support and empower communities to make this happen throughout Australia. We believe the elderly (and those with mobility challenges) have the right to be visible and active in our society. By allowing our passengers to enjoy improved quality of life; joy connecting and engaging with others, their community, and the environment by: - partaking in an activity like cycling that would otherwise not be possible - enjoying fresh air, sunshine, nature and views - having a service that is accessible, inclusive, unique, fun and totally AWESOME! Kerrie Barker Feeling the Wind in Their Hair https://cyclingwithoutage.org.au/2021/10/05/parramatta-chapter/ Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/297326 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-03T00:53:32Z Our awesome project is the visual arts program at Studio ARTES, for which we would use the grant to purchase new paint. This program empowers our members to explore various art-making techniques and mediums, fostering creativity. Each project is driven by individual interests, with trained facilitators available to offer guidance and support for independent or collaborative work. Artists in our visual arts program have regular opportunities to participate in exhibitions and events. In addition to local and digital showcases hosted by Studio ARTES, we also facilitate exciting collaborative opportunities for global exposure. Extension opportunities are available for those eager to advance their art practice. Founded in 2000 and proudly based in Sydney, Australia, Studio ARTES is a non for profit that has been lighting up lives across New South Wales by supporting over 250 adults with disabilities. Our doors are open to individuals aged 17 and up with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, physical disabilities, Down syndrome, and more. We provide a supportive space for our members to explore visual arts, performing arts, and life skills programs. Our visual arts programs are offered at our Hornsby and Inner West studios, as well as through our online platform. Each week, we run over 28 different programs, each lasting 10 weeks and accommodating up to 10 artists. However, we have very limited art supplies. Our small budget means many supplies are donated, often of low quality, and we can’t always provide the colors our artists desire. This grant would make a significant difference! A brand-new set of paints for our two studios will inspire both our artists and facilitators at Studio ARTES. We have many talented artists, and being able to mentor them with new paints and canvases will be invaluable for their development. Our dedicated team works hard to enter artists in competitions and organize exhibitions, and with more art supplies, we can enhance the quality of their work, making a significant impact on their careers. We want to see our artists succeed in what they love! Additionally, we aim to increase the representation of people with disabilities in Sydney’s art scene. This grant would help us focus on ways to showcase their work to the public, highlighting the vibrant diversity of our city. Bexie Neeley Studio Artes Visual Art Program: Art Supplies https://www.studioartes.org.au/visual-arts Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/280990 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-05T07:52:43Z Լինելով Արագածոտնի մարզի Զարինջա գյուղից,որտեղ շատ աղջիկներ և կանայք չունեն հնարավորություն մասնագիտություն ձեռք բերելու և իրենց ընտանիքի կարիքները բավարարելու հնարավորություն չունեն,նրանց հիմնական զբաղմունքը անասնապահությունն է։ Ունեմ ծրագիր սկսելու շյուղագործության, ասեղնագործության, հելյու ագործության, կար ու ձևի,ինչպես նաև վնասված հագուստների վերականգնման դասընթացներ։Դասընթացի ընթացքում կունենանք թաղիքագործության, կարպետագործության մաստեռ կլաստեր ,որոնք իրականացնելու համար կհրավիրենք համապատասխան մասնագետներ։Դասընթացի ընթացքում կսովորեն նաև տեքստիլիարտադրական թափոններից խաղալիքների պատրաստում։ Նախագիծն կունենա իր ֆեյսբուքյան էջը, որտեղ ցույց կտանք մեր կատարած աշխատանքները։Քանի որ բնակչության մեծ մասը վճարունակ չէ,դասընթացները կանցկացվեն անվճար բոլոր ցանկացողների համար։Որոշակի ժամանակ անց կունենանք ցուցահանդեսներ , որտեղ դասընթացի մասնակիցները կունենան հնարավորություն ցույց տալու իրենց սովորած և արդեն պատրաստի աշխատանքները ,և գյուղում և գյուղից դուրս։ Ծրագիրը ունի ոչ միայն սոցիալական զարգացման ուղղվածություն,այլև նաև բնապահպանական հիմնական նպատակ թափոնների վերամշակման և բնության պահպանման համար։ Դասընթացի ավարտից հետո լավագույները կունենան հմտություններ կարի մեքենաներից օգտվելու,իրենց առօրյա կարիքների բավարարման համար,կբարձրանա կանանց և աղջիկների դերը համայնքում,քանի որ իրենք կսկսեն աշխատել և կունենա գումար սեփական կարիքների բավարարման համար։ Քանի որ ես չունեմ աշխատողներ իմ արհեստանոցում և ունեմ աշխատողների կարիք դասընթացի ավարտից հետո լավագույները կստանան աշխատանքի հրավեր իմ կողմից։ Անուշ Մխիթարյան ""A-Nush Textile ""Արվեստի Կենտրոն https://www.facebook.com/share/c3b71Z3iVqN4ry5q/?mibextid=qi2Omg Armenia Nature Armenia https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/naturearmenia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/254689 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-05T08:05:09Z Իմ նախագծի նպատակը կայանում է նրանում ,որ կարողանալով օգտագործել տեխնիկական աղբը ստանալ տանը օգտագործվող պետքական իրեր ,որոնք քիչ էներգիատար են և ստեղծված են սեփական գեղագիտական ճաշակով և յուրօրինակ են ։ Իմ աշակերտների հետ ստեղծել ենք տարբեր լուսամփոփներ,որտեղ իմ սաները հասկացել են, որ պարտադիր չէ ինչոր բան սարքելու համար շտապել խանութ և նրանց սովորացրել եմ հետևյալ քայլերը 1․ նախագծել ինչ սարք ես ուզում սարքել 2․ էսքիզ անել 3․ինչ դետալներ են օգտագործվում 4․ նայել տանը արդեն իսկ չօգտագործված իրերը ՝ ցուցակը համալրելով 5․զոդման տեսակները կիրառելով և ասեղնագործության միջոցով ստանում ենք տարբեր լուսատու սարքեր սեփական ձեռքերով Արմինե Մնացականյան Մթության մեջ պատկերներ երևում են Armenia Nature Armenia https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/naturearmenia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/272017 2024-10-02T00:00:00Z 2024-10-20T09:38:55Z Goals: -To provide students with disabilities practical cooking skills. -To promote independence and confidence in daily living activities. -To foster social interaction and teamwork among students. -To encourage healthy eating habits and nutrition awareness. -Objectives: -Develop a curriculum tailored to the needs and abilities of students with disabilities. -Engage students in hands-on cooking activities, gradually progressing from basic to more advanced skills. -Establish partnerships with local markets to incorporate fresh, local ingredients into the program. 3. Target Population The program will serve 30 students aged 16-18 with various disabilities, including but not limited to: Physical disabilities Developmental disabilities Sensory impairments Participants will be selected based on their interest in learning culinary skills and their ability to benefit from a structured, supportive learning environment. 4. Program Activities The cooking program will include: -Weekly cooking classes. -Introduction to kitchen safety, hygiene, and equipment usage. -Hands-on cooking sessions covering basic recipes and meal planning. -Field trips to local markets to learn about ingredient sourcing and healthy food choices. -Opportunities for students to cook healthy, tasty meals for themselves. -Opportunities for students to create their own menus. Tiran Evans Support unit Cooking Program- Callaghan College Australia Newcastle https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/newcastle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/293007 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z 2024-10-02T02:22:08Z The Warriors Booster club is a volunteer club that supports Huron Heights football team’s student athletes. This program allows the students to participate in athletics by providing training, camps, equipment, maintaining the sports fields and supporting the cost of transportation for away games. The football team creates an environment that welcomes and supports students. It provides opportunities that student may not have been able to achieve. The football team also supports academic success of these students. The warriors would appreciate the community support and make Newmarket proud and continue to be the judge 1 football team! Ari Snobel Warriors Football Booster Club Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/288879 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z 2024-10-25T00:41:22Z Southern Koala and Echidna Rescue (SKER) is a dedicated non-profit organisation committed to the preservation of wildlife in Southern Australia, specialising in the rehabilitation of koalas and echidnas. SKER operates a specialised wildlife veterinary clinic and runs a 24-hour free rescue service for the Fleurieu community. With more enclosures currently being built, we will have capacity to care for up to 20 adult koalas. Our koala kindy can house an additional six orphaned joeys. Project: Enhancing Koala Kindy Facilities To ensure the optimal care and well-being of the koalas under their care, SKER is seeking funding to upgrade our koala kindy facilities. The proposed project involves two key components: 1. Relocation of the Kindy: To minimise the risk of over-humanising the joeys and create a more tranquil setting for their rehabilitation, SKER is planning to relocate the kindy to an area with less foot traffic. This will allow the joeys to develop the necessary skills and behaviours for survival in the wild without undue human influence. 2. Paving the Enclosure: The existing koala enclosure at SKER is currently unpaved, making it challenging to maintain a clean and hygienic environment. Paving the enclosure will significantly improve sanitation and prevent the spread of diseases. It will also facilitate easier cleaning and disinfection procedures, reducing the risk of infections and ensuring the koalas' overall health. Installation of New Misting Systems: Koalas are highly sensitive to heat and dehydration. Misting systems provide a crucial means of cooling their environment and maintaining their hydration levels. We are unable to reuse the plumbing for our existing misting systems when the kindy is moved. By extending the water from our rehabilitation centre to the new location, we can create a more comfortable and suitable habitat for the koala joeys, especially during hot summer months. Mish Kym Simpson Koala Kindy - Southern Koala & Echidna rescue https://www.sker.org.au/ Australia Fleurieu https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/fleurieu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294316 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2025-04-13T16:51:55Z Tortoise Running Group is a new kind of running group, one that caters only for slower runners (or Tortoises, as we like to call ourselves). Our recently-launched Facebook page has just short of 100 followers from the Wirral running community, many of whom are known to us from other initiatives, such as parkrun and Wirral Social Runs (which is another project from the same leader which has been running for over 5 years, bar a covid hiatus). Many of these runners are NOT catered for by local running clubs which tend to be competitive or put pressure on members to improve and perform. The purpose of Tortoise is to allow these runners to enjoy their chosen sport in an inclusive, un-pressurised and supportive environment. Due to its nature, the group is likely to appeal predominantly to female runners, and/or to people with poor health outcomes, and we are building a team of predominantly female “mentors” to run our sessions. Many of these mentors have back-stories of hope against adversity (including several cancer survivors), and we expect them to flourish and become inspiring leaders. The project will be run by the Wirral running community, for the benefit of that community. We are not partnering with any other groups as we are keen to stand apart from local running clubs where our Tortoises often do not feel truly welcome. This is a group for people who are otherwise, in a quite literal sense, left behind. Given the likely catchment group, which may include people from poor socio-economic backgrounds, and the relatively low annual running costs, it is our intention to run the group on a free-of-charge basis. Our mentors will be volunteers and publicity will be via free channels, predominantly social media. Our typical annual running costs will be c. £100 (covering insurance, mobile SIM card and refresh of first aid kits), but we expect some initial expenditure on items of equipment and clothing. Andrew Hughes Tortoise Running Group – start-up funding https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564630783808 United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/296256 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-12-05T19:27:40Z Hello Awesome Folks! We are thrilled to announce the start of the Imagination Library of San Antonio, a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to increasing literacy, improving educational outcomes, and fostering a love of reading in young children across our community. As a local partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we will be bringing the nationally recognized book-gifting program to San Antonio in early 2025. San Antonio is one of the largest cities in Texas WITHOUT access to Dolly's reading program. We are trying to change that! Through this program, children from birth to age five will receive free, high-quality books directly to their homes each month, helping to establish early literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading. Our initial focus will be in South Bexar County, an area historically underserved in terms of access to libraries and bookstores. We hope to address the gap in literacy resources and give every child the opportunity to build their own home library, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Our broader goals align with SA2020’s educational vision for 2030, which includes increasing kindergarten readiness, third-grade reading proficiency, and high school graduation rates. To make these goals a reality, we need to start by raising the funds necessary to mail the first books to families. EVERY DOLLAR we raise goes directly towards ordering and delivering books. A $26 donation provides one child with books for an entire year. Alexa Volpe Launch the Imagination Library of San Antonio! https://imaginationlibrarysa.org/ United States San Antonio, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/sanantonio tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/293010 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-12-02T18:28:15Z Our project, “Black Men Blooming: LA,” seeks to surprise five Black men in Los Angeles with flowers during a podcast-style interview that celebrates their stories, achievements, and contributions to their communities. Through this innovative approach, we aim to capture genuine, unfiltered reactions that highlight the power of acknowledgment and the impact of giving flowers—both literally and metaphorically. This project is valuable because it not only honors Black men in a meaningful way but also disrupts the often-limited narratives around Black masculinity by centering joy, appreciation, and personal storytelling. By turning the simple act of giving flowers into a powerful moment of recognition, we create a space where these men can be seen and celebrated in real time. Each interview will be an intimate, heartfelt conversation that not only reflects their individual journeys but also inspires listeners to reimagine how we uplift and honor Black men in our society. The podcast format allows us to reach a broad audience, amplifying these personal moments of surprise and appreciation beyond the men directly involved. It invites the community to share in these impactful experiences, fostering a sense of collective joy and connection. Our goal is to create a ripple effect—encouraging others to give flowers, whether through words, actions, or actual blooms, thus expanding the culture of gratitude and recognition. This project aligns perfectly with the Awesome Foundation’s mission to fund bold, creative, and community-centered ideas. “Flowers in Bloom: LA Edition” is not just about flowers; it’s about shifting narratives, sparking conversations, and celebrating Black men in ways that are deeply personal, unexpected, and undeniably awesome. With the $1,000 grant, we can bring this unique vision to life, covering the costs of flowers, production, and ensuring that each episode captures the essence of these unforgettable moments. Robert Washington-Vaughns Black Men Blooming: LA http://balckmenflowerproject.org United States Los Angeles, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/los-angeles tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/291350 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-10-19T18:11:34Z PERIOD. Ontario is the Ontario chapter of the larger PERIOD. Movement which aims to end period poverty and stigma through the three pillars of advocacy, education, and service. Our project, “Packing Party”, is designed to both serve and educate our local community. We assemble care packages, called Period Packs, which include pads or Diva Cups, educational brochures, sanitary wipes, and a personal note of encouragement. During the event, volunteers create these Period Packs, which are then distributed to menstruators facing economic hardship. The initiative provides cost-effective menstrual products while promoting environmental sustainability by offering reusable options. Education is a key component of the Packing Party. At the start of the event, we host a workshop on how to be eco-friendly while on your period, along with segments on menstrual health and hygiene. These workshops aim to break down stigmas around menstruation, fostering open discussions in a supportive, judgment-free environment. Our efforts target vulnerable populations, including low-income individuals, homeless communities, and those in underserved areas. We’ve previously partnered with Anduhyaun, an Indigenous women’s shelter, and conducted outreach in downtown Toronto to provide Period Packs to homeless individuals. By offering a choice between pads and Diva Cups, we ensure that recipients are comfortable with their products while encouraging more sustainable options. The project’s impact is measured through volunteer feedback and assessments from the shelters we support, allowing us to refine our approach and better meet the needs of the community. Through these efforts, PERIOD Ontario strives to create a more equitable and inclusive menstrual health landscape. Melody Cao PERIOD. Ontario's Packing Parties https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://period.org/&ved=2ahUKEwiqieOboLeIAxVplYkEHZuGHUUQFnoECAgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1QiycmXlk-XAcUBfbddX2N Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/286775 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-09-30T13:46:40Z Our September grant was awarded to the **Manhattan Community Boathouse**, an all-volunteer non-profit that offers free kayaking for the public at Pier 96 in Hudson River Park. _Our program runs all summer long, from June through October, every Saturday and Sunday and Monday and Tuesday evenings, and in that time we provide a safe and free on-water experience for roughly 10,000 people from all walks of life and from all over the world._ _During our program hours, anyone can walk up to our pier, complete a waiver get a brief set of instructions, and get out on the river. It's just that simple. We break down every possible barrier to entry, while still providing a safe and world-class experience for everyone that comes through our gate._ _We're going to buy $1,000 of new life jackets to keep our kayakers safe! We have roughly 50 people on the water at a time, and life jackets are $20 each and last roughly 5 seasons, so with $1,000 we can replace all of our worn-out life jackets and ensure the safety of our program participants for the next five seasons of our program!_ **The 2024 kayaking season isn't over yet! Free kayaking will be taking place this weekend and next weekend from 1-6pm at Pier 96 near 56th Street in Hudson River Park.** Visit them on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kayakmcbh), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/ManhattanCommunityBoathouse), and [their website](https://www.manhattancommunityboathouse.org/). Mike Petite New Life Vests for Free Public Kayaking in NYC https://manhattancommunityboathouse.org/ United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/291499 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-10-07T19:03:11Z The “AcceCine” festival promotes the creation of spaces for people with disabilities to enjoy cinema in accessible formats. We are sure that cinema is a powerful tool to inform, raise awareness and reflect on the human rights of people with disabilities and their inclusion in cultural offerings. In Peru there are almost two million people with visual disabilities and more than 500 thousand with hearing disabilities. They face daily difficulties in accessing education, art and culture, since in our country there is no content adapted to their specific needs. Therefore, from November 19 to 24, 2024, we will hold the Sixth AcceCine Accessible Film Festival (unique in Peru), so that people with visual and hearing disabilities can enjoy cinema through accessible films (audio description, descriptive subtitles and Peruvian sign language). The activities will be in Lima and provinces, with screenings in theaters and outdoors in public spaces. Our goal is to give access to cinema to people with sensory disabilities, especially children, who do not have opportunities to go to the cinema. Thanks to the support of Cineplanet, we will hold six screenings of “Inclusive Children’s Cinema”, to which we will bring children with sensory disabilities from Special Basic Education Centers and public schools. These activities are inclusive, since children with disabilities and children without disabilities participate, becoming a cinematic experience that raises awareness about respect for human rights, non-discrimination and proper treatment of all, breaking myths and barriers, generating a space for equality, friendship, unity and learning. The screenings will be held in Lima, Cusco, Piura and Trujillo, with the attendance of 300 children for each screening (total 1800 children). For most children with disabilities, it will be the first time they will attend a movie theater, where we will show a Peruvian film in an accessible version. **What our grantee is saying:** "I am very happy to have the support of Awesome Foundation, to make the dream of many children with disabilities come true. Thanks to this contribution, 1,800 children with visual and hearing disabilities from four regions of Peru will be able to go to the cinema to enjoy a Peruvian film in an accessible version. Some of them will go to the cinema for the first time in their lives." Elizabeth Campos Sánchez Sexto Festival de Cine Accesible “AcceCine” http://www.accecine.org Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/284951 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-10-09T02:03:44Z September’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Melody St. Pierre to support the creation of “legacy squares” sharing important life messages from seniors. “Imagine,” says Melody, “if you received a small deck of personal messages from your grandparent or a senior in your life, infused with all their wisdom and love, that you could carry with you for the rest of your life.” “A legacy square,” she explains, “is a small double-sided card that includes a message from a senior on one side – advice, encouragement, etc. – and a personal watercolour portrait of them on the other – painted by me.” “Over the last year,” she continues, “I’ve had the honour of hosting a creative writing group at a local senior’s centre. I’m constantly struck by both how much the participants want to share their life reflections and messages, and by how powerful those messages are. Often, the messages go unheard.” “As I plan to launch a Legacy Writing course at the centre in the fall,” says Melody, “this project will allow us to transform some of the participants’ messages into tangible pieces that their loved ones and the community could carry with them – both now and for years to come. These small keepsakes may travel with us in purses, wallets, and notebooks; rest on nightstands and office desks; or hang on walls, doors, and fridges. Just as affirmation cards empower and inspire many, legacy squares can be more personalized pieces that spark intergenerational connections and conversations.” “Each participant will leave with two decks of their own legacy squares – one for themselves and one for their families – and we will also look to produce a combined deck to share on a larger scale within the community,” says Melody. “As a young person, I would be honoured to walk alongside these seniors in crafting their top messages and transforming them into powerful pieces to share.” Melody is an undergraduate student in communications, and moved to Ottawa for university. Melody St. Pierre Legacy Squares Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/289983 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2025-04-13T16:52:09Z Our Sociable Dinner Club project will allow us to create group dining experiences for disabled people aged 16 and over. Our Sociable project was founded in 2008 and is managed by disabled people with lived experiences of exclusion. Since we opened, we have run more than 800 project sessions at The Ark in Liverpool 7, where members have participated in activities such as arts and craft, drama, board games, console games, boccia, table tennis and podcasting to name just a few. We are still reeling from the aftermouth of the pandemic and our weekly sessions were suspeded in August 2023, due to a low turn out. Since then however, we have met with members and volunteers and we are determined to introduce a new Dinner Club project that would allow us to provide group dining experiences at a reduced cost to members and service users. The Accessible Guide is our parent company and was founded and is managed by the same founding members of our Sociable project. Through our work at The Accessible Guide we have links to many restaurants across Liverpool and many of them are keen to host a Sociable Dinner Club event! Over the years, our most popular evenings have been our group dining experiences, mainly at Christmas, but we have had a couple at other times of the year also. It is always a joy to see our members enjoy their times at our acitvities and projects and this is why we want to create our new project. The dining expeirences are popular as many of our most at risk members don't get the opportunity to socialise in such an environment, and when they do it is usually with family members. Whilst we welcome family members to join us, it's a chance for members to enjoy a break from their family and enjoy their time with other friends, in a safe and welcoming environment. It may just be a few hours, but it is something our members always enjoy. By making our Sociable Dinner Club more affordable, it will allow us to enjoy several group dining experience. Phil Peel Sociable Dinner Club http://www.thisissociable.com United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/284949 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2025-04-13T16:52:30Z Valley Brass (St.Helens) jwith local schools and houses 3 brass bands. A senior band, Adult learner band and a learner group. There are approximetly 100 members enjoying and sharing music in the ommunity and bringing music education opportunities to a deprived area of the U.K We would like to attend more local schools offering brass tuition bringing opportunities to children who would not get high quality music education. Also reach out into the wider community offering brass support and lessons to people of all ages providing a social setting for many in the community. The project is to fund some tuition in schools and follow this up with online skills development in practical skills and music theory. Providing a music 'drop down' event which will encourage schools and pupils to attend with a showcase event on the completion of the day. This will all pupils to work together to enjoy and make music with the opportunity to continue with music making. A bank of online tuition / support videos will be created and added to and developed over time. These will cater and support musicians of all standards and will be an on=going project that will build over time. The band already supports some schools and the community, but we would like to reach out and extend this provision across the city region and develop online support for skills development. Karen Unsworth Developing Online resources to promote music http://valleybrassband.co.uk United Kingdom Liverpool https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/293077 2024-09-30T00:00:00Z 2024-10-20T19:05:30Z The Trinidad History and Future Festival is a vibrant, volunteer-run event that celebrates the rich history of the Trinidad neighborhood while actively engaging residents in shaping its future. Scheduled to coincide with the weekly farmers market, this festival will blend historical exhibits with interactive future-planning activities to foster community involvement and pride. Planned elements include, but are not limited to: Historical Exhibits: The Lovings’ Story: An exhibit dedicated to the Lovings, featuring photographs, historical documents, and interactive displays about the landmark Supreme Court case that legalized interracial marriage. Washington Senators Ballpark: A display on the former home of the Washington Senators (the first DC baseball team), showcasing memorabilia, old photographs, and personal stories from local residents. Future-Making Activities: Interactive Timeline: A large, engaging timeline where residents can contribute their ideas for the neighborhood's future, ranging from practical improvements like new street trash cans to imaginative concepts like “flying car parking.” We envision this festival as an annual tradition that will expand over time, continually incorporating new stories and ideas from our community. Trinidad Neighbor Volunteers Trinidad History & Future Festival http://n/a United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/288841 2024-09-27T00:00:00Z 2024-09-27T02:01:42Z We are starting a girls volleyball club at Gloucester High School since there isn't one there already. With the help of Mr.Lafata the Athletic Director and Mr.Cook the principal, we've come up with a plan to get the club started and hopefully turn it into a JV/Varsity sport in the near future. We put up flyers around the school advertising the volleyball club to girls who may express interest in the sport. We had two practices a week during the summer for 2 hours to work on our skills and bond as a team. Our equipment is old and outdated and there are some other things that we don't have that we'll need. Jocelyn Maddalena and Maria Sierra GHS Girls Volleyball Club United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/283122 2024-09-26T00:00:00Z 2024-09-26T20:23:18Z Մենք ներկայացնում ենք MRUG white dreams սոցիալական ձեռնարկությունը։ Արտադրում ենք գիպսե արձանիկներ որոնք ներկում և կենդանացնում են երեխաները։Արտադրամասում աշխատում են Դաունի համախտանիշ ունեցող 18-ից 30 տարեկան երիտասարդները։ Արձանիկները նախատեսված են 3-ից 12 տարեկան երեխաների համար։ Այս անգամ որոշել ենք արձանիկները ներկեն 1-ից 100 տարիկան երեխաները Սպիտակ խոշորացված համայնքում բնակվող ։ Նպատակը դուրս հանենք գադջետային կախվածությունից ,հայտնվենք բոլորս մանկական աշխարհում,որտեղ իշխում է բարությունը…սմարթից դեպի տիեզերական մանկական,իրական աշխարհ։ Միջոցառումը իրականացնելու ենք բնության գրկում ։Միջոցարման ժամանակ կուղեկցվի հին հայկական բարի,ուրախ,երգերը։ Կկազմակերպվի հյուրասիրություն և համայնքու կշողա կյանքի պայծառ Արևի շողեր։ Մերի Աշխարհը գունավորում են երեխաները https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559748414767&mibextid=JRoKGi Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/293611 2024-09-25T00:00:00Z 2024-09-26T23:32:46Z This September, we're helping to fund a series of live music and dance socials at the Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island (SCCRI), timed with Hispanic Heritage Month. SCCRI's effort will bring the community together to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of neighborhoods around Trinity Square, the heart of Providence's Latino-American neighborhood. Local Latin bands and small businesses will activate an outdoor lawn, parking lot, and Southlight (SCCRI's outdoor performance venue). Their goal is to highlight a diverse range of Latinx artists, from salsa and bachata bands to individual performers, instrumentalists or vocalists. Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island Community Latin Music Series https://www.sccri.org United States Rhode Island https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/rhodeisland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/285637 2024-09-25T00:00:00Z 2024-10-23T02:25:56Z Hello Awesome Foundation! I run an group called Portland Songwriters Guild. Yes, it sounds so official, however, we are in the process of applying for non-profit status, but not yet an official organization! PSG started in 2022 as an instagram page (@pdxsongwriters), as a way to build community for songwriters and music-makers in Portland. Over the past two years, I have hosted open mics, songwriting challenges, showcases, song feedback small groups, and a holiday show. The past two years we held a show at Show Bar called Holiday Hits. Anyone can RSVP and I pair similar artists together (preferably with someone they do not know) to co-write an original holiday/christmas song in a months time. Then in December, we deck the stage out with a tree and lights and artists come and perform their song to a room of about 200 people. Show Bar calls this "the most wholesome show of the year". THIS year, we are looking to move the show to Mississippi Studios and record a physical Holiday Hits album with songs local artists wrote over the past two years. We are already in the process of moving forward with this idea and are looking for ways to make this financially feasible. Our goal is to use this album to promote the PSG community and highlight local singer-songwriters and musicians. We have worked in the past with PRP/PDX Pop Now, and Xray FM for publicity. We hope a physical copy of an album could help us promote PSG in record stores and small shops around town. PSG mission is to help build community and provide opportunities for professional development and performance opportunity. Sam Pinkerton Portland Songwriters Guild: Holiday Hits https://portlandsongwritersguild.com/ United States Portland, OR https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/portland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/289472 2024-09-25T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T16:32:02Z I am proposing to build and install 19 birdhouses in non-profit spaces around State College. The construction of the birdhouses would happen in the Rivet's community woodworking space. I would lead the efforts, helped by Rivet members who have expressed interest in helping.  The birdhouses would be installed in non-profit spaces throughout State College. I have already received approval for installation from the following non-profits, at which I currently volunteer: the Rivet/Discovery Space, PAWS, Centre Wildlife Care, and the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden. If this grant is approved, I will offer to install the birdhouses at Clearwater Conservancy, Rhoneymead, and Centre Helps. The Rivet, PAWS, Snetsinger Butterfly Garden, Clearwater Conservancy all have native plant gardens that provide natural food sources for birds. Rhoneymead and Centre Wildlife Care are both surrounded by extensive open grasslands or forests. Because Centre Helps is located in central downtown, it can promote birdhouses to thousands of people passing by. Choosing these sites, rather than parks or designated green spaces, is an important part of this project. By placing birdhouses in everyday spaces, they demonstrate that every site and every person can help birds. Even those houses on a smaller lot does its part, and adds up to making a lifesaving difference.  The birdhouses will serve different birds, depending on the location. At least half of the houses are designed for bluebirds and the competing birds that may overtake their nest. The rest would serve robins or tufted titmice. We would follow birdhouse plans recommended by the North American Bluebird Society, British Trust for Ornithology, or the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The birdhouses themselves would be affixed to a pole, equipped with a racoon-proof baffle. I am in contact with the PA chapters of the American Bluebird Society about monitoring the bluebird houses long-term. Nora Price Bird houses for local non-profit spaces United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/286808 2024-09-24T00:00:00Z 2024-09-25T01:39:47Z 606 Racing (@606racingchicago on Instagram) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Chicago-based cycling race team that focuses on the development of elite cyclists by focusing on competitive preparation, tactics, and goal setting. For far too long, the growth of women's cycling has been stunted by inequitable funding and lackluster public support. 606 Racing is changing that narrative; in 2024, we created a women's team that hopes to streamline the talent pipeline to national-level events. We focus on getting women more race experience and empowering them to meet their goals on and off the bike. We are also heavily involved in community cycling events, such as group rides, racing practice, local races, and public speaking. We are fully committed to growing the sport of competitive cycling in Chicago and the Midwest. We will use the money to prioritize race registration fees for our women's development team. Our women race many different cycling disciplines, including road, cyclocross, mountain bike, and track. The average race registration costs $50. We imagine using such funds to help cover the race registration fees of races local to the Chicago area, including the ICA Cup races and the Chicago Cyclocross Cup races. 606 Racing Raising the Bar for Women's Cycling in Chicago https://www.instagram.com/606racingchicago/ United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/282757 2024-09-24T00:00:00Z 2024-09-30T01:34:54Z This year we are starting up a community committee to organise and run the Goolwa Christmas Festival (as well as many other community events in the future). Our mission is to help support our community through free community events. We are taking over from the Rotary Club of Goolwa who helped run the event last year but our goal is to make it bigger and better by also bringing back the Goolwa Christmas Pageant and also having a twilight Christmas market. Tamara McRobbie Goolwa Christmas Festival https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560873427406 Australia Fleurieu https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/fleurieu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/290052 2024-09-24T00:00:00Z 2024-10-23T02:25:25Z Artists Off the Page, a collective of illustration-based artists, is planning an immersive art experience in a vacant storefront in the Lloyd Center Mall. We are excited to contribute to the community of artists & creative programming already taking advantage of the Lloyd Center space, & our goal is to draw audiences into an imaginative Winter Wonderland-themed world, with the theme being interpreted by each artist in their own way. The unifying element will be the forest (celebrating the PNW), & viewers will walk through the trees along an open path, passing by collaborative 2D & 3D artworks that climb up the tree trunks. The experience will feel like a story that viewers can discover at their own pace. At the end of your journey, you'll emerge into a small gift shop filled with local artists’ work for sale. The experience will be free & gift shop sales will go directly to individual artists. The installation will be open 4-5 days a week with participating artists rotating shifts. This immersive experience will be appropriate for all ages, & will offer a fun & free holiday activity for families & groups as well as a shop for holiday gift-buying. We plan to take advantage of the creative community already active in the Lloyd Center (Floating World Comics, Bookmobile Babe, & many more) for cross-promotion & outreach to draw the widest audience possible. Creative workshops & book readings led by participating artists will also be a draw for folks in the community. We also plan to place ads with local newspapers, as well as distribute printed flyers & posters. Lastly, we plan to reach out to local schools & youth programs around the Portland metro area to offer our space as a field trip destination. As a group, Artists Off the Page has been working towards a large-scale immersive experience like this for nearly 4 years, & we’re excited for this to be the next step in our collaborative output. Erika Schnatz A Walk through Winter Wonderland https://www.instagram.com/artistsoffthepage/ United States Portland, OR https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/portland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/291034 2024-09-19T00:00:00Z 2024-09-24T19:16:01Z We have had the great privilege of having the Awesome Foundation support our initial social enterprise at our CommUnity Cafe. We are back to ask once more to help us build our Sip-portive Cafe, a new paid employment opportunity for the graduates of our CommUnity Cafe food service program. As the members of Awesome Kingston may remember, Bloom Skills Centre is a non-profit charity that supports young adults with intellectual and developmental exceptionalities develop skills for employment and we help them find work in the community. Our CommUnity Cafe is our food service and food skill program. Each session we have students transition to independent work be we always have a few that still need support. This new venture, at the VIA rail station, will be an opportunity for those students to have paid employment, with support on hand. That way their skills are recognized but their needs are met. Amber Potter Sip-Portive Cafe http://bloomskillscentre.com Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/275525 2024-09-18T00:00:00Z 2024-09-18T14:06:33Z We're so excited to announce that our August grant was awarded to Punks Take Bluestockings: Punks of Color Incubator, a monthly all ages showcase of BIPOC punk. _Born after listening to youth organizers in the scene [@punksofcolor_](https://www.instagram.com/punksofcolor_) (together with [@themeetinghouseshows](https://www.instagram.com/themeetinghouseshows)) challenge the community to create more all ages shows celebrating BIPOC performers, every month this queer trans feminist bookstore pushes the tables out of the way and puts on a night of raucous Black, Poc, queer and femme punk music._ _A grant from the Awesome Foundation will go towards a drum kit, amp, and other sound equipment. Owning and transporting this equipment is a common obstacle for up-and-coming performers. By removing this barrier, performers from under-represented and marginalized communities will have access to professional-grade, quality equipment for their performances at Bluestockings._ _Punk, like all rock music, is actually a genre pioneered by black and female artists, who have largely been pushed out of theor own scene. Owning our own equipment means we will not be constrained by the high cost of rental fees, allowing us to do consistent monthly shows. It also means we will not be constrained to booking bands wealthy enough to own their own gear. In a part of the city that is rapidly gentrifying we believe that creating and holding space for marginalized artists will absolutely make our community more awesome._ Punks Take Bluestockings happens on the last Sunday every month at Bluestockings Cooperative Bookstore in the Lower East Side. Shows are $10 NOTAFLOF and curated by [@natebklynwolf](https://www.instagram.com/natebklynwolf/_ of the legendary bands Maafa and Winter Wolf. Bluestockings has been a mainstay of the LES community for over 25 years and we could not be more excited to support this initiative. Merlin Sabam Punks Take Bluestockings: Punks of Color Incubator https://www.bluestockings.com/ United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/262939 2024-09-18T00:00:00Z 2024-09-19T04:34:08Z Nesian Markets is a makers market focused on small businesses and local artists/artisans that sell Pacific Islander goods and services/food. There are many Lake Macquarie locals with Pacific Islander roots who love to sell their merchandise but aren't as successful at a normal market because their small businesses are more appealing to other Pacific Islanders. Nesian Market welcomes all and invites the whole community to participate in a market day focused on Pacific Island culture. It would be an awesome project because it is another event that brings the whole community together to enjoy Pacific Islander food, music, entertainment and more! Esther Loli-Fiu Nesian Markets Australia Lake Mac https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/lakemac tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/284721 2024-09-18T00:00:00Z 2024-10-14T14:08:40Z Our project focuses on creating assistive technology for the visually impaired. With Florida being #1 in visual impairments per capita, it is the perfect place to make this impact. The visually impaired have been left behind in terms of today's technology, and therefore, feel left out and dependent. The few options of assistive technology out today are expensive (multiple thousands of dollars) and do not meet the needs of the community by promoting safety. Our project changes this. We are 2 students from the Engineering School of Florida International University, Mike Romano and Gabriel Habech, and we set out to solve this global problem inspired by a lifelong, blind friend. Our tech has granted our friend the independence he desires, and has the capability to make the same impact around the world. Our friend was even able to play soccer with his family, despite being fully blind! Our device is simple and user friendly, you strap it on your head, it does the seeing for you, and if there is an object near you it lets you know through vibrations. This revolutionary real time feedback has the potential to change lives around the globe, and we are hoping the Awesome Foundation helps us cause global change! Mike Romano BeyondSight http://www.thebeyondsight.com United States Miami, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/miami tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/294987 2024-09-18T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T16:32:24Z Decades before charities had “Giving Tuesday,” and long before anyone ever thought of “Centre Gives,” there was The Alternative Christmas Fair. A beloved Centre County tradition since 1982, the ACF is a way for people to give to more than 30 charities each December and participate in the true spirit of the holiday season.This year, the ACF will pass the million-dollar mark in total donations to charity since its inception. (We’re at $992,078 right now). We think that qualifies as awesome. Our tangible thing is the event itself. It’s a community-building gathering, a celebration of the wonderful services available in Centre County, an opportunity for the charities themselves to connect with other groups doing related work, one-stop holiday gift shopping for everyone on your list, and a delicious meal too. University Baptist and Brethren Church (UBBC) administers the ACF. On Sunday, Dec 8, approximately 30 charities will set up booths in Fellowship Hall and the Fireside Room at UBBC, 411 S. Burrowes St, State College. Between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day, people from the congregation and from the community at large will come to the Fair. They will browse the booths, talk with the representatives of the charities, and on a single sheet of paper indicate which ones they want to support and how much they want to give to each. Then they head to the check-out line and pay. UBBC furnishes each donor with attractive cards and envelopes so that they can give them to friends and loved ones informing them that a Christmas donation has been made in their name to a particular charity. While UBBC collects the money, it keeps none of it. Every penny of the charitable donations goes to the non-profits who participate. From the beginning, the ACF has sought support from the local community. Many people who have no connection with UBBC come to the Fair each year. And each year we work to broaden that community link. The charities that the ACF serves are detailed on the ACF website. Richard W Jones The Alternative Christmas Fair https://www.ubbcwelcome.org/acf-charities United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/281367 2024-09-17T00:00:00Z 2024-09-18T00:22:06Z Our project is a future Cape Ann Pride Coalition Youth Division Halloween event for queer youth and their allies. It will include: food and drinks, raffle prizes, and spooky Halloween movies at Cape Ann Cinema! It will be (tenatively) October 18th from 6-9 P.M. Savannah Hopkins Cape Ann Pride Coalition https://www.capeannpride.org United States Rockport, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/hy/chapters/rockport