tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/nl/projects?page=3 2026-08-17T19:44:57Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/621468 2026-07-20T00:00:00Z 2026-08-17T19:44:57Z We are medical students at the University of Pittsburgh, and every week we work with Pitt Street Medicine to care for our unhoused neighbors. Twice a week we walk through Pittsburgh neighborhoods handing out food and supplies to people living on the street. We see the same faces again and again, and over time our visits become relationships. We learn names, we listen to needs, and we meet people exactly where they are. Over and over, we have noticed the same problem: many people we serve have lost most or all of their teeth and cannot eat foods we provide like hard granola bars or apples. For someone living on the street, losing teeth is more than an inconvenience. It shapes what they can eat, how nourished they are, and how they face the world each day. And it goes beyond food. A full smile is part of how a person carries themselves, how they walk into a job interview or meet someone's eyes. Giving someone their teeth back gives them a measure of dignity and confidence that reaches far past the next meal. So we asked a simple question: what if we could give them their teeth back? Our idea is to 3D print custom dentures for unhoused patients, completely free of charge. It starts with a quick 3D scan of a patient's gums and remaining teeth, done right there on the street with a handheld scanner. That scan goes to the UPMC 3D Printing Program, which has already approved this work and is excited to partner with us. There, the scan becomes a fully functional set of dentures, printed and ready in a matter of hours. Together, with the Pitt Digital Dental Lab adding the clinical expertise to fit each patient, we can do the whole thing: scan a patient on the street, print their dentures, fit them, and follow up week after week through the same regular Street Medicine visits we already do. We have the people, and we have the technical capabilities. To grow this project, all we need is funding. Dean Orloff 3D-Printed Dentures for the Unhoused United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/619873 2026-07-19T00:00:00Z 2026-07-23T14:22:02Z The Board Walks is a free, phone-free, five-mile Saturday morning walk where strangers become real friends — one conversation at a time. And in Detroit, it has caught fire. The walk started in Austin in 2022, with eight people who just wanted real conversation instead of small talk. Four years and 200+ walks later, it's a beloved weekly ritual. And this January, it came to Detroit. The first walkers showed up and walked five miles through the snow together. That kind of start forges something: those early walkers became genuine ride-or-dies. Six months in, Detroit is one of our most alive chapters. The stories are unreal. A 65-year-old woman came to her first walk and said she'd been searching for exactly this community for 20 years. A newcomer brought his mom, who was moved to tears to learn her son had found people who cherish him. One regular put it best after just three weeks: "I feel like I've been in this walk for three years." The group has grown so close they now meet up outside the walk: hockey games, concerts, real friendship. Here's how it works: every Saturday, anyone can show up — no cost, no app, no agenda — bring a question they're curious about, and spend two hours actually talking to people of every age and background. A few simple rules make the magic: bring a topic, be curious and kind, share the mic, and float between conversations. No networking, no phones, no small talk. Detroit is full of people craving exactly this: somewhere to belong that isn't a bar, an app, or a screen. We've built incredible word-of-mouth momentum in just six months, and we want to make sure Detroit gets to keep this, every single Saturday, for the long haul. Elle Beecher Hogan The Board Walks https://www.meetup.com/the-board-walks-detroit/ United States Detroit, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/detroit tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/612284 2026-07-19T00:00:00Z 2026-07-23T14:21:43Z Soulfood & Soundtrack Sundays / Salt & Celluloid Film Series is a community-centered event series that brings together food, film, and conversation in Detroit. The project creates welcoming spaces where residents can gather around shared meals, watch culturally significant films, and engage in meaningful discussions about food, history, creativity, and community. Through Soulfood & Soundtrack Sundays, guests experience curated meals inspired by music, storytelling, and Southern food traditions. Salt & Celluloid expands that experience through film screenings paired with themed culinary offerings and post-film conversations. Together, these events celebrate Detroit’s rich cultural diversity while creating opportunities for connection across neighborhoods, generations, and backgrounds. Our goal is simple: use food and film as tools to bring people together and strengthen community. Chi Walker Salt & Celluloid / Soundtracks & Soulfood Sundays https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerhospitality/ United States Detroit, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/detroit tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/595683 2026-07-16T00:00:00Z 2026-07-18T15:53:13Z I am creating a neuro-inclusive video game club for youth ages 11–18 in the Kingston area. There are many neurodivergent youth in our community who are not involved in extracurricular activities but spend a lot of time playing video games. This project creates a safe, welcoming space where they can come together, enjoy something they already love, and build meaningful connections with like-minded peers. In the short term, I will host monthly events at the Maltby Centre, including video game tournaments with snacks, drinks, and small prizes. These events will be open to youth of all abilities and support needs, ensuring accessibility and inclusion for everyone who wants to participate. Over time, the goal is to grow into a bi-weekly club where members can regularly meet, play a variety of games, and build friendships that extend beyond the club itself. As the group grows, members will help shape the identity of the club by choosing a name, designing a logo, and contributing ideas to make it their own. The Maltby Centre fully supports this initiative and will provide space, equipment (TVs), staff support, and promotion through our existing channels. With a small amount of start-up funding, we can quickly launch and begin reaching youth who may otherwise remain socially isolated. This project is about turning a solitary activity into a shared experience—creating connection, belonging, and community through gaming. Chad Strom Digital Adventures Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/606012 2026-07-15T00:00:00Z 2026-07-15T16:54:33Z Merrill Piepkorn and the Fargo-Moorhead Unitarian Universalist Church (FMUU) are partnering to do a free concert in Broadway Square on a Sunday afternoon, on August 2nd. It will be a wide roster of accomplished performers, including powerful vocalists, electric bands, acoustic guitarist/singers, and a string quartet. They are all donating their time. The songs are being curated to be inspiring, thought provoking, and with a theme of social justice, democracy, and hope. This concert will be a strong, moving experience that we believe will encourage people to action. Numerous non-partisan non-profit and organizing groups are going to have tables. We hope this will be a catalyzing community event. The current performer roster includes: Merrill Piepkorn, Pat Lenertz, Gina Powers, Gregg Temple, Darrin Wentz, Jeff Johnson, Crop Dusters Fourfeathers band, Lannie Faleide Melissa Niemi, Justice for Stringbean Norden String Quartet In line with the policy of Broadway Square, this will not be a political rally. Bill Thomas Songs of Peace, Protest, and Hope United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/611127 2026-07-15T00:00:00Z 2026-07-27T01:42:28Z In 2026 I launched Glenrock Ghost Fungus Tours to see glow-in-the-dark ghost mushrooms inside Glenrock State Conservation Area. The response has been amazing. The ghost fungus only blooms for a month each year. Local families have voted overwhelmingly that they want more nature offerings. As a result, I plan to develop a new tour: Black Light Nights. This tour involves taking groups of 8-10 people into the Lake Macquarie Council side of Glenrock State Conservation Area at night with UV (black) torches. Plants, animals, insects and lichen all appear in neon colours under the black lights. This is a colour of the bush people have not seen before. Interpretation and all equipment will be provided. Karen Livesey Black Light Nights http://www.karenlivesey.com/ghost-fungus Australia Lake Mac https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/lakemac tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/577239 2026-07-14T00:00:00Z 2026-07-19T21:59:13Z Our program is QUALITATIVE WITH LIFELONG IMPACT boosting mental health/social well-being: 2 or more low-income local Newmarket area children impacted by life-threatening illness will be sent to camp/program of their choice to reintegrate back into play/social life (to $500/child). Our program is not a cookie cutter camp that all must attend; the idea is for each child to select a program/camp that interests THEM based on personal preferences and needs (i.e., some have stamina for overnight, others can join a half-hour per week. Requests vary from horseback/robotics/sports/dance/drama/music/arts-crafts/swimming/etc. Children are devastated financially/socially/emotionally; allows kids to be kids again, creating much-need good memories during a very difficult time and sense of being a regular kid. Whether the child is the patient, sibling or has an ill parent, all are impacted by illness. Pediatric patients are robbed of childhood; siblings feel neglected telling parents they wish they were sick (to get attention); others reverse roles, becoming caregiver to ill parent, thus interrupting healthy psychological development. Family dynamics change so escaping helps in unmeasurable ways, permitting youth have a typical childhood experience. Healthcare professionals (i.e., child life specialists/social workers from Southlake Hospital/Hospital for Sick Children) refer vulnerable to us when they identify that they could benefit socially/emotionally. The U.S National Library of Medicine explains “... importance of quality of life when dealing with childhood cancer...quality of life is what the child says it is...” (www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/). “It is important to address ongoing and emerging needs of the child and their family to achieve complete and long-term healing” (kidswithcancer.ca). The American Psychological Association warns of social/emotional consequences including anxiety, difficulties with peer relations, inhibited withdrawn behaviour. We counteract impact. Laurie Docimo - SHINE THROUGH THE RAIN FOUNDATION Newmarket Camp Scholarship Program https://shinethroughtherain.ca/camp-scholarship/ Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/592919 2026-07-14T00:00:00Z 2026-07-16T21:49:50Z We’re building the San Francisco Contemplarium: a neighborhood institution for honoring the human journey — the joys, losses, transitions, questions, and becoming that make us human. In a city and modern society where many may feel lonely, rushed, or disconnected, we create warm, beautiful spaces where neighbors can pause, reflect, and feel less alone. Our public gatherings include Reflection Jams, where people journal and share; Seasonal Ingatherings, where we honor life transitions through accessible ritual; and Reflection Stands, pop-up installations where passersby can write what they’re carrying and leave a small intention for someone else. Over the past year, we’ve seen how hungry people are for these kinds of offerings. We recently launched a Neighborhood Flamekeeper cohort of 13 community members, who learned skills of presence, ritual, and accompaniment and helped hold public offerings for the neighborhood. At our Autumn Ingathering, where neighbors gathered to honor losses and the turn of the season, participants rated the event 9.3/10 for creating an authentic space to honor loss and 9.2/10 for feeling emotionally supported. Our awesome project is to bring more of these new contemplative neighborhood spaces to life in San Francisco: gatherings and pop-up rituals where ordinary people can honor the extraordinary experience of being human together. Someone might come to reflect on a hard transition, celebrate a small joy, grieve a loss, or simply take a breath in community. We think it would be awesome if every neighborhood had beautiful, accessible spaces where people could slow down, be honest about what they’re carrying, and leave feeling more connected to themselves, each other, and the city. Seanan Fong San Francisco Contemplarium https://www.sfcontemplarium.org/ United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/620367 2026-07-10T00:00:00Z 2026-07-20T18:58:16Z AwesomeStPaul is proud to fund St. Paul Democracy Defense, our chapter’s latest grantee. “We are facing an existential threat to our democracy. What we've learned over the last year in Minnesota is that we can build a strong and resilient coalition of neighbors that is able to stand up to authoritarianism in a powerful and nonviolent way. We must continue to mobilize. The midterm election is underway. Early voting for primaries has already begun in Minnesota. During Operation Metro Surge, I helped organize hundreds of my neighbors in Saint Paul to educate local businesses on their fourth amendment rights and provide them with materials to help make their employees safer. I'd like to do this again with voting. I plan to canvass my neighborhood to help folks understand their voting rights and to build a coalition of neighbors in Saint Paul to help fortify our democracy by standing together to make sure our elections are fair and free from interference.” Theresa Glaser Saint Paul Democracy Defense http://N/A United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/624365 2026-07-09T00:00:00Z 2026-07-20T18:52:29Z Congratulations to our July 2026 grantee. This project will create an awesome community event. “The St. Paul Pop-Up Cinema Project" is a lightning-fast, highly visible public art event designed to celebrate the neighborhoods of St. Paul through beautiful visual storytelling. On Friday, August 21, 2026, our creative team will transform an empty public park wall into a vibrant, free community outdoor theater for one night only. Over a focused two-week period prior, we will use our high-end cinema equipment to shoot and edit three 2-minute micro-documentaries spotlighting local St. Paul unsung heroes—a neighborhood street artist, a beloved community gardener, and a local youth mentor. This is is a pure community celebration. We’ll project these gorgeous, broadcast-quality stories onto a massive wall, bringing neighbors together under the stars to share in public joy and localized pride. To keep the momentum alive after the event, we will place small, weather-proof plaques featuring interactive QR codes at the filming locations so passersby can scan and stream these beautiful neighborhood stories all year round. It’s brief, highly impactful, visually stunning, and entirely free for the community.” Curtis Carswell The St. Paul Pop-Up Cinema Project https://moonkfilmsdevoted.com/ United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/603707 2026-07-08T00:00:00Z 2026-07-22T13:52:29Z Cloverly Village is a small condo association on the south side of Ann Arbor in Ward 3. Our community comprises 76 families, many of whom have limited financial resources. One project we've considered is installing a Little Free Library within Cloverly Village. We believe it is a great opportunity to provide residents with easier access to books, encourage literacy (especially since many of the residents are new parents), and foster neighbor-to-neighbor interactions and connections. Unfortunately, the cost of purchasing and installing a Little Free Library is beyond what our association can afford at this time. We have some of the lowest dues in the city ($285/month) to help keep Ann Arbor affordable. Because of this, every penny goes into upkeep. Calvin Tuttle Cloverly Village Little Free Library United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/611557 2026-07-08T00:00:00Z 2026-07-22T14:02:38Z The Youth Environmental Press Team is an organization run under Earth Charter Indiana, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its mission is to spark youth advocacy on the climate crisis by providing a platform for young people to write, edit, and direct journalistic content on climate and the environment, allowing the generation who'll live with the effects of climate change to share their voices and be heard. By republishing content produced by high school journalists for their school newspapers, along with producing original content, the Youth Environmental Press Team shares stories of youth advocacy, the science of climate change, and personal opinion stories. Recent examples from Ann Arbor include “Ann Arbor’s Youth Environmental Activists,” “Ann Arbor Hosts Annual Huron River Day,” and “Ann Arbor’s Renewable Energy Revolution.” YEPT currently spans over a dozen states, and is growing weekly; at each of our Zoom meetings, the video boxes grow smaller and smaller as more people join. With monthly guests (anywhere from a climate scientist to a New York Times reporter) and near-endless opportunities for youth leadership, the Youth Environmental Press Team is creating a platform where, finally, teens get a say in how we can impact our world. Our two adult advisors, Jim Poyser and Angela Yeager, oversee the project; however, the majority of the leadership is taken on by high school students. From leading Zoom meetings to editing articles to deciding what stories matter most, high school students are leading the way in the narrative of climate change and the state of our environment. In an effort to garner more content from Michigan and create a specialized team of high school directors, the Youth Environmental Press Team is working to build a Michigan chapter of the program. Zia Walker Youth Environmental Press Team https://yept.org United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/610568 2026-07-06T00:00:00Z 2026-07-20T19:58:22Z I'm an 18-year-old photographer and recent Newburgh Free Academy graduate, and I already spend my time shooting these streets — the corners, the buildings, the people who've been here longer than I've been alive. This project turns that into something the whole city can see. Over two weeks in August, I'll photograph Newburgh's living history: longtime residents, the places that hold our stories, and the everyday life that doesn't make the news. Alongside the portraits, I'll record short interviews — how the city has changed, what people want remembered. Then I'll bring it home as a free public exhibition and a printed report-back booklet that pairs each portrait with the person's own words, so the people in the photos and their neighbors can hold it in their hands. I'm doing this in August on purpose. August is Black August — a month to remember Black history, resilience, and the freedom struggles of the people who built and held communities like ours. Newburgh's living history belongs in that tradition, and I want to document it and give it back during the same month it honors. The exhibition and report-back will be free and open to the public at the Creative Communication Center, 140 South Street. It's a collaboration across generations — a young person's camera and a longtime resident's voice in the same frame — in a city that's usually described by outsiders. This is Newburgh telling its own story, and it leaves something behind: a printed record made by someone who's from here. Heller Munguia Delgado Still Here: Portraits & Voices of Newburgh https://newburgh-living-history.vercel.app/ United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/609015 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 2026-08-31T05:01:21Z I Can Lift a Car Up All by Myself is a short film about childhood lost, caused by domestic sexual assault. Jasmine, an 11-year-old girl, is raped by her own father and becomes pregnant, forcing her to confront the realities of adult decisions at a tender age. The short film follows Jasmine on her journey from realisation to decision, and focuses on how she handles the many events circling her through the eyes of an 11-year-old. We hope that by producing this short film, we will be able to spread the message of domestic sexual assault and statutory rape, that happens not only at the outside world but also at home, where it is meant to be safe and comfort. The short film will aim to reach other festivals both local and overseas. Hattie Lee Short Film - I Can Lift a Car Up All by Myself Singapore Singapore https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/singapore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/551920 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 2026-06-30T14:59:46Z I would love to create something like these wind horse puppets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFlXN0rwpfc Having a group of these puppets mill around, move in beautiful sequences, and interact with people in a public, downtown Orlando area (Lake Eola, downtown areas, etc.) would be an amazing, whimsical sight for the people of Orlando to experience. I would like to build something similar, although I might not make them as tall and I might use different building materials (e.g. paper mache). I also would like to create at least 4 horse puppets operated by puppeteers. I helped launch the Christmas and Spring Puppet Festivals in Winter Garden, FL (2020/2021), producing original shows. I also handcrafted and performed with paper mache puppets in my production THE NOEL (2022) - https://youtu.be/RRb_zQF46q4. I also constructed a Jack Pumpkinhead puppet out of paper mache as well - https://youtu.be/o_7MJezrWpk I have choreographed many dance pieces in Orlando. I am certain I will use these horse puppets for a future dance piece that is currently germinating in my mind - a large cast dance piece involving a racing expedition across the nighttime Sahara Desert. Here are some videos of my past choreo pieces: FORTUNA (2025): https://youtu.be/M9ufesxcDv8 TWISTER (2024): https://youtu.be/hWNCGU4OLd8 CURSE OF THE WEREWOLF (2025): https://youtu.be/8SB9iPZxab8 Ryan Page Horse Puppets - Page Productions United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/591724 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 2026-07-03T10:57:08Z Woodchix Foundation has workshops for Empowering Women in woodwork, joinery and DIY. They are taught hand tools, machinery, decorative joints, safety and a whole lot more. I am passionate about educating and teaching women hands-on skills in woodwork & joinery, building confidence, self esteem and preparing women to consider trade apprenticeships. Membership is $199 per year + $10 per visit. I would like to get grants for women who are not financially able to join. $1000 will give 5 women an opportunity join and learn. Should Woodchix be approved for a grant I will be approaching Women's Health Centres, refuges, and local Penrith based organisations who assist DV women to offer these women who are in great need of support, friendship & inclusion these memberships. Having grant money to offer these memberships on a regular basis would be ideal as there are so many in need and of all ages and cultures. Gill Enterkin Empowering Women: Woodchix http://www.woodchix.au Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/595355 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 2026-07-08T10:46:28Z Steel City Malibu Club was established in 1982 and has been running monthly social competitions since. It has always been a club of connection. Bringing together those who love longboarding and holding a space for surfers to uplift one another. Friendships have formed through this club, leading to members going on surf trips together. The club has also helped boost members confidence through taking part in courses and running charity events. As memberships have dropped over the years and fees have increased, this year we are hoping with the help from our local community we can boost our advertising efforts and improve our monthly comp set up and attract more members. Mel Steel City Malibu Club Australia Newcastle https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newcastle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/634723 2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 2026-09-22T12:11:15Z Every Saturday morning, our volunteer team of medical students sets up on the corner of Atlantic Avenue and South 6th Street in Camden alongside Agape Project, a grassroots harm reduction group, offering food, supplies, and free street-side health care to neighbors experiencing homelessness. Camden is a city on the water. The Delaware River, Cooper River, and Newton Creek are all a short walk or ride from our corner. And the hardest part of street life that nobody talks about is the hours: waiting for a shelter to open, for a clinic to call your number, for the day to end. With $1,000, we're starting the Camden Fishing Club. Members get a rod and reel to keep, a stocked tackle kit to share, and a laminated map of fishing spots within walking distance. For members who want one, we'll prepay their New Jersey fishing license and help them register on the spot. For someone who is used to being processed by systems, an official document with your name on it that says you're allowed to be somewhere is no small thing. Members without documents fish free too: New Jersey charges nothing for anglers over 70, and the state's free fishing days give the whole club license-free days on the water. Because we're future physicians, every rod comes with something only our team would think to include: a simple card explaining which local fish are safe to eat and which carry contamination advisories, because some of our friends will eat what they catch, and they deserve to do it safely. Fishing is patience, purpose, food, and peace. It's hours that pass because you chose how to spend them. We hand out survival every Saturday. This is the first thing we'd hand out that feels like living. Logan Harrison Camden Fishing Club United States Philadelphia, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/philadelphia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/550562 2026-06-30T00:00:00Z 2026-09-09T15:10:17Z The latest Awesome Ottawa award goes to Asiya Hilowle and Madina Hilowle to support inclusive tennis for girls and women. We’re taking [Queen of the Court] (https://www.instagram.com/qotcottawa/) to the turf,” says Madina. “For the last few years, we’ve been building a community in Ottawa that is obsessed with basketball, but more importantly, obsessed with showing up for each other. We’ve seen firsthand how a court can become a home base for women and youth who don't always feel like they ‘fit’ the traditional sports mold. Now, we want to bring that same energy to tennis.” “Tennis in this city can feel really gatekept,” she continues. “it’s expensive, the gear is a huge up-front cost, and if you didn't grow up in a ‘tennis family,’ it’s intimidating to walk onto a court alone. We want to dismantle that barrier.” “Our ‘Tennis Takeover,’ she explains, is a four-week pilot program designed to get 20 girls and women in Ottawa onto public courts. We aren't just teaching a backhand; we’re providing every single piece of equipment they need – racquets, balls, court time – so the only thing they have to do is show up in their sneakers. By taking over public park space, we’re making the sport visible, accessible, and inclusive for our community. We’ve already proven we can do this on the basketball court; now we’re just trading the hoop for a net and keeping that same grassroots, high-energy vibe.” Asiya and Madina started Queen of the Court in 2013 “because we just wanted a safe, comfortable place to play,” says Madina. “What began as a small circle for Muslim and BIPOC women to get on the court without judgment has grown into a full-blown community. We now run drop-ins twice a week, summer leagues, and huge yearly tournaments – we even take the crew on annual camping trips. This tennis pilot is our next chapter: taking that same mission of "claiming space" and applying it to a sport that’s felt out of reach for far too long.” Asiya Hilowle and Madina Hilowle Queen of the Court Tennis Takeover https://www.instagram.com/qotcottawa/ Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/592421 2026-06-30T00:00:00Z 2026-07-04T20:42:07Z The UTMB Chapter of Medical Students with Disability and Chronic Illness (MSDCI) is a newly established, student-led initiative dedicated to building a more inclusive and accessible medical training environment while extending that impact to patients with chronic illness in our community. Our work centers on creating both a supportive community for disabled medical students and advocacy beyond the classroom. Students with disabilities and chronic illness are often underrepresented and frequently navigate training in isolation. We aim to change that by establishing consistent spaces for connection, peer mentorship, and shared problem-solving, fostering a sense of belonging within a demanding training environment. We are developing programming that connects lived experience with clinical practice. Through our “Beyond the Textbook” lecture series, physicians and advocates will discuss invisible illnesses, atypical disease presentations, diagnostic delays, and strategies for delivering more patient-centered care. These events encourage diagnostic humility while challenging assumptions about who belongs in medicine. Beyond campus, MSDCI at UTMB is planning an Inclusive Medicine Initiative in partnership with the Life Skills Program at a local highschool. Medical student volunteers will lead interactive workshops that familiarize students with common healthcare experiences, including blood pressure measurements, stethoscopes, routine examinations, and communicating with healthcare providers. By creating positive, low-stress healthcare interactions, we hope to reduce anxiety, increase health literacy, and build confidence navigating future medical encounters. As a new chapter without institutional funding, our immediate goal is to establish sustainable programming that supports both trainees and community members, while our long-term vision includes expanding into resource development and research on systemic barriers in healthcare. **What our grantee is saying:** "Receiving this grant is a meaningful vote of confidence in our executive board and in the mission we're building through MSDCI at UTMB. This support will help us expand initiatives like Beyond the Textbook while developing future programs focused on accessibility, advocacy, and disability inclusion in medical education — including our Inclusive Medicine Initiative, designed to help combat white coat anxiety for high school students with disabilities. We are incredibly grateful for this investment in our work and excited about the impact it will have on our members and the communities we serve." Ciara Martinez MSDCI at UTMB Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/561829 2026-06-30T00:00:00Z 2026-07-08T15:35:16Z Rockaway Art Room (RAR) offers free art classes in the Rockaways while paying teaching artists a fair wage. In creator Jamie Soltis's own words: _Income should never be a barrier to the arts! So far, RAR has hosted classes in watercolor and weaving, acrylic painting for beginners, found-object mandala creation, and intermediate oil painting. We also host our weekly Drawing Meetup, where we get together to draw all casual-like in various locations on the peninsula. All of our classes are open to all ages, and we love seeing new, intergenerational friendships blossom._ _With the generous funding from the Awesome Foundation, we'll be able to offer a new class in sculpting that will serve 20-30 eager art lovers!_ _If you're visiting the Rockaways this summer, please [join us](https://jamiesoltis.com/rockawayartroom)! Most of our classes start at 6pm, so if the lifeguards wrap up for the day and you don't feel like getting on the train yet, you can hang out with us for a while. And any kind of support is so deeply appreciated! We fundraise [here](https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/rockaway-art-room) and are on IG [@rockawayartroom](https://www.instagram.com/rockawayartroom). Although the Rockaways is a goldmine of creative people, we do not have classes in the arts as part of our infrastructure, and many of our residents have shared sentiments like, "We really needed this here," or "This neighborhood is often forgotten." So yes--please come to a class or a Drawing Meetup so we can get to know you! xoxo_ Jamie Soltis Rockaway Art Room http://jamiesoltis.com/rockawayartroom United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/594861 2026-06-30T00:00:00Z 2026-07-27T22:48:21Z Sew You Wanna Sew is a program that will serve 10 Queer and Trans Asian youth through a weekly 7-week beginner workshop series on sewing clothing that will run from July 4th-August 22th, 2026 at Cecil Community Centre. The first six weeks will allow participants to complete two projects and grant them the tools and knowledge to continue experimenting with garment construction on their own. We will cover topics such as: introduction to hand sewing and machine sewing, selecting fabrics, understanding and using patterns, installing zippers, and mending/altering clothes. The end goal of the series will be for participants to have sewn a small zipper coin pouch or tote bag, and a pair of pants (style depending on the participant’s interest and skill level). Throughout this process, we aim to inspire participants to build a more self-sufficient, sustainable, gender-affirming relationship to clothing, and to unleash their creativity for self-expression. We intend to equip participants with knowledge, tools, and confidence to continue sewing and altering their own clothes. In the last week (August 22nd, 2026), the program will end with a showcase where participants will be able to share their creations and experience while socializing. They will also have the opportunity to be professionally photographed in the garments that they made during the program. The QuArtz Cluster Sew You Wanna Sew https://www.instagram.com/quartz.cluster/ Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/593935 2026-06-29T00:00:00Z 2026-06-29T23:38:17Z Poughkeepsie PorchFest is a free, annual event celebrating live music, performance, and community spirit. Originally conceived during Covid as a neighborhood gathering in the Southside Historic District, PorchFest has blossomed into a festival that draws attendees from across Poughkeepsie and throughout the Hudson Valley region. Since its launch in 2020, the event has fostered connections among hosts, neighbors, and musicians, many of whom return each year to perform. Community members take special pleasure in seeing how some of our younger performers have developed and grown in the craft over the past 6 years. PorchFest showcases an impressive variety of both professional and amateur talent. With over 50 bands and solo performers on nearly 30 porches and lawns, attendees can experience everything from Scottish bagpipes, bluegrass, and R&B, to show tunes, alternative rock, jazz, classical, country, Latin, spoken word, and more. Strolling through the Academy Street Historic District, visitors are treated to a vibrant tapestry of unexpected musical styles. The event is a testament to Poughkeepsie’s rich cultural diversity and the community’s embrace of the arts. We are on social media at: @poughkeepsie_porchfest https://www.facebook.com/POKPorchFest Here are links to several articles/calendar highlights about Poughkeepsie PorchFest: https://wrrv.com/the-5th-annual-poughkeepsie-porch-fest-music-and-community-come-alive/ https://calendar.chronogram.com/hudsonvalley/poughkeepsie-porchfest/Event?oid=21572281 https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/culture/article/poughkeepsie-porchfest-photos-2023-18333844.php Mary Reynolds, David Hennigsen, Julie Gutierrez and Michelle Bodden Poughkeepsie PorchFest https://www.facebook.com/POKPorchFest United States Poughkeepsie, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/poughkeepsie tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/582340 2026-06-29T00:00:00Z 2026-07-02T11:22:48Z This project honors Gene Ray Artis, affectionately known as “Dancin’ Tony,” a beloved legend in the Washington, DC hand dance community. For more than 70 years, he has been a central figure in the hand dance community, admired for both his distinctive style of hand dancing and his lasting influence on those who come in contact with him. The National Hand Dance Association is assembling an invaluable collection to preserve Dancin’ Tony’s legacy. The collection will be donated to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library’s People’s Archive repository in July 2026, the month he turns 90. The collection will include: • Clothing • Photographs • Award statues • Washington Post articles about Dancin’ Tony • Oral history interviews with Dancin’ Tony and others who have known or danced with him over the past 70 years On Sunday, August 2, 2026, the National Hand Dance Association will host a public tribute to celebrate Dancin’ Tony’s life and contributions. The event will feature the following: • A screening of the documentary short Dancin’ Tony: A Dancing Legend • A panel discussion featuring four people who have known Dancin’ Tony for many years and can speak to his character and impact. •Audience participation during the “Dancin’ Tony Hand Dance Party” Dancin’ Tony’s family will be bringing him to the event. Although he currently resides in a nursing home, his spirit remains strong, and he is mobile with the assistance of a wheelchair. This long-overdue tribute celebrates a gentleman deeply loved by the hand dance community and ensures that his legacy will be honored for generations to come. The National Hand Dance Association A Hand Dance Tribute To "Dancin' Tony https://www.facebook.com/nationalhanddanceassociation United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/603999 2026-06-25T00:00:00Z 2026-06-25T13:56:56Z This June, AFRI is supporting The Poetry Pour's inaugural PVD Poetry Crawl, set for September 2026. Their plan is for a month-long, city-wide event that turns 22 local businesses into temporary galleries for the written word. 20 poets each contribute 1 poem which is then printed in full inside a "Poetry Shot,” a free, pocket-sized zine installed at said businesses. Patrons pick up a "Poetry Shot" with their drink at the bar or their latte at the counter; on the back is a QR code they scan to visit a dedicated landing page to learn more. about the artists. Participating small businesses will be identified by the poets themselves. The whole thing gets more people reading poetry, aware of local poets and locally owned businesses, and serves as a point of entry for an ongoing poetry-focused newsletter. Salena J. Deane The Poetry Pour: PVD Poetry Crawl http://thepoetrypour.beehiiv.com United States Rhode Island https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/rhodeisland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/574450 2026-06-25T00:00:00Z 2026-06-26T08:07:54Z Մեր նախագիծը նպատակ ունի երեխաների հետ միասին բացահայտել Հայաստանի բնական միներալների աշխարհը։ Մենք երեխաների հետ միասին բնության մեջ փնտրելու ենք բնական միներալներ՝ ագաթ, հասպիս, ամեթիստ և այլ քարեր, ապա հատուկ քար կտրող հաստոցի միջոցով կտրելու և մշակելու ենք դրանք՝ տեսնելու համար, թե ինչ գեղեցկություն է թաքնված դրանց ներսում։ Շատ քարեր արտաքինից սովորական տեսք ունեն, սակայն կտրվելուց հետո բացահայտվում են զարմանալի գույներ, նախշեր և բյուրեղային կառուցվածքներ։ Այս գործընթացը երեխաների համար դառնում է միաժամանակ գիտական, ստեղծագործական և ոգեշնչող փորձառություն։ Մենք արդեն ունենք երեխաների հետ աշխատելու փորձ, և տեսել ենք, թե որքան մեծ հետաքրքրություն ու ոգևորություն է առաջացնում այս ձևաչափի գեոարշավը։ Երեխաները մեծ հաճույքով մասնակցում են որոնման գործընթացին, գտնում իրենց առաջին միներալները և ցանկանում են տեսնել դրանց ներքին կառուցվածքը։ Սակայն ներկայումս նրանք հնարավորություն չունեն անվտանգ պայմաններում մշակելու իրենց գտած քարերը, քանի որ անհրաժեշտ մասնագիտական հաստոցներ և համապատասխան պայմաններ չկան։ Նախագծի շրջանակում նախատեսում ենք ոչ միայն ձեռք բերել քարերի մշակման համար անվտանգ և հարմար հաստոց, այլ նաև պատրաստել տեղեկատվական բուկլետներ և ուսումնական նյութեր տարբեր միներալների մասին։ Դրանց միջոցով երեխաները կկարողանան ավելի հետաքրքիր և մատչելի ձևով ծանոթանալ յուրաքանչյուր քարի ծագմանը, առանձնահատկություններին, գույներին և կիրառություններին, ինչը փորձառությունն ավելի տպավորիչ, կրթական և հիշվող կդարձնի։ Նախագիծը երեխաներին հնարավորություն կտա․ ճանաչել Հայաստանի բնական հարստությունները, սովորել միներալների և քարերի մասին, զարգացնել հետաքրքրասիրությունը և ստեղծարար մտածողությունը, ավելի մոտ լինել բնությանը, և սեփական ձեռքերով մասնակցել բացահայտման գործընթացին։ Նորայր Քարի ներսում թաքնված աշխարհի բացահայտումը https://www.instagram.com/minerals_arm?igsh=MTNqMmhybDJvcG5oNw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/585816 2026-06-24T00:00:00Z 2026-09-30T20:50:25Z In 2023, I founded Kaleidoscope PA, an art and wellness community dedicated to helping people connect, reduce stress, and improve wellbeing through creative experiences. Since then, I have led nearly 100 workshops throughout central PA that combine artmaking with mindfulness, reflection, and connection. Time and again, I have watched people arrive feeling nervous, overwhelmed, or isolated and leave feeling calmer, more confident, and more connected. This fall, Kaleidoscope PA will open a physical space within the Center for Wellbeing in Lemont, creating new opportunities to expand this work. The new space will allow me to offer more workshops and bring in guest artists and facilitators, expanding opportunities for connection and creativity throughout the community. With support from the Awesome Foundation, I will launch the Awesome Creative Connection Fund, a scholarship program that helps adults experiencing loneliness, isolation, financial hardship, or other challenges participate in art and wellness experiences. Community members will be able to nominate someone they believe would benefit from a creative experience, and individuals may also nominate themselves. The goal is to remove barriers and create opportunities for people to gather and create. The project is inspired by a growing loneliness epidemic affecting people of all ages, particularly older adults and those facing difficult life circumstances. While many people would benefit from creative community experiences, cost, uncertainty, or simply walking into a room full of strangers can prevent participation. The Fund will provide a welcoming invitation into a supportive community where creativity becomes a pathway to connection, wellness, and hope. The grant will launch the program, but the vision extends beyond the initial funding. Through community donations and a creative reuse initiative where donated art supplies are redistributed or sold at affordable prices, I plan to sustain and grow the Fund. Sarah Zappe Awesome Creative Connection Fund https://www.kaleidoscopepa.com/ United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/458443 2026-06-24T00:00:00Z 2026-06-24T15:56:53Z At I Slay, we believe every body deserves a seat at the table. We are a 100% volunteer-lead organization in Austin, Texas, founded by two Latina, LGBTQIA+ sisters with the mission to empower plus-size individuals through community, art, and healthcare access. Our project is a monthly heartbeat of radical inclusivity: we host a signature plus-size clothing swap alongside movement classes (like Pilates and dance), art workshops, and social gatherings design specifically for plus-size bodies. Our impact is tangible. In our first year, we welcomed over 400 participants and donated more than 10,000 items to local nonprofits. Our community feedback shows these events are vital; participants report increased confidence, improved body image, and a deep sense of belonging. For many, we provide the first safe space to try movement classes or find affordable, stylish clothing without judgment. Currently, our 10-person working board-all plus-size women with lived experience manages everything from logistics to advocacy. However we want to ensure these programs remain 100% free for a community that often faces financial and systemic barriers to wellness. This grant will cover three full months of core monthly rhythm-3 flagship swaps and 6 “in-between"classes and socials, helping sustain a safe harbor where plus-size bodies are not just accommodated, but celebrated. Kristen Jones The Big Swap & Flow: Keeping I Slay Free for All http://www.islaylife.org United States Austin, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/austin tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/598127 2026-06-23T00:00:00Z 2026-06-24T13:46:52Z Live at principle barbers: TIMBRE Jazz at the Lawndale Route 66 Festival will bring live jazz, food, and community gathering into a barbershop located directly on Historic Route 66 in North Lawndale. On August 23, 2026, the Lawndale Route 66 Festival and Classic Car Show will take place along Ogden Avenue, directly in front of principle barbers. I want to use that moment to open the shop and backyard as a welcoming cultural space where neighbors, festival visitors, artists, families, and car show attendees can experience live music and West Side hospitality. The project will be part of TIMBRE, a live music series I created to bring high-quality jazz and community-facing performance to North Lawndale. TIMBRE uses principle barbers as a nontraditional venue where music, conversation, design, and neighborhood pride meet. For this special Route 66 activation, I plan to present at least three live performances throughout the day, along with food and refreshments inside the shop and in the backyard. This project is awesome because it turns an everyday barbershop into a cultural stop on Route 66. It highlights North Lawndale as a place of beauty, craft, music, history, and community—not just a place defined by deficit. The event will support paid opportunities for local musicians, bring people into a Black-owned business, and create a warm, creative space during one of the biggest neighborhood events of the summer. The TIMBRE activation will also connect to the larger spirit of the Lawndale Route 66 Festival: cars, culture, music, local business visibility, and neighborhood unity. The goal is simple: let people hear something beautiful, eat something good, meet someone new, and experience principle barbers as part of the cultural life of North Lawndale. Bobby Price Live at principle barbers: TIMBRE Jazz at RT 66 https://principlebarbers.com/ United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/577105 2026-06-18T00:00:00Z 2026-06-19T01:10:34Z In 2026, our nation marks a monumental milestone the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. For two and a half centuries, generations of brave individuals have shaped our history and defended the freedoms we cherish today. This year, we want to bring that history home, by honoring those who are not only part of America’s history but part of our community: our veterans. Local photographer Jason Grow has already helped preserve these stories through his powerful exhibits, “Those Who Served” and the World War II Veterans Project, which captured the faces and stories of veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War. These photos are not ones you will find in textbooks, these are ones closer than that, these are our family, friends, and neighbors. We want to build on his incredible work in a way that is both meaningful and visible to the entire community. Our vision is to showcase these portraits on a large LED screen truck traveling along the 2026 parade route, turning the parade into a moving tribute where thousands can witness the faces of those who served, reflect on their sacrifices, and celebrate their legacy in real time. The total cost for the LED truck, driver, and setup is $1,200. We are seeking $1,000 from Awesome Gloucester to help bring this project to life and ensure that this tribute reaches as many people as possible. This isn’t just a display, it's a moment of connection between past and present. A chance to honor our heroes not quietly, but boldly, in the heart of our community celebration. Cheryl-Lynne Goolsby 250th tribute to veterans in our community United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/582419 2026-06-18T00:00:00Z 2026-06-23T14:12:47Z This is our second stab at getting some awesome money for our awesome project! Music in Compton Park is a homegrown music festival in the Sunnyside neighbourhood of Kingston (just south of Kingston Centre, between Princess and Brock) that has been running for the last 3 years. We have been able have the community come together and connect at this yearly event while enjoying live music, food, face painting, and crafts in our own local park. We want to maintain a welcoming and inclusive space where families, children, and residents of all ages and backgrounds can gather and spend time together as a community. We work to create opportunities for neighbours to share their own music and talents. In addition, we strive to strengthen the culture of our neighbourhood through diverse artists, musical styles and languages. This festival is entirely volunteer-run and made possible by the dedication, skills, and passion of community members. We want to continue to create a fun, accessible, and inclusive experience for everyone. Sharon Meehan Music Festival in Compton Park https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563983969079 OR on instagram at musicincomptonpark Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/561332 2026-06-16T00:00:00Z 2026-08-06T03:02:33Z This year, Seaford Secondary College is excited to lead a group of 16 students and 3 staff on an enriching cultural and educational journey to Japan. Our diverse cohort spans Years 9 to 12 and includes an equal mix of male and female students. Among our travelers are siblings, with one of them being neurodivergent who will be supported by both staff and family throughout the trip. For many students, this will be their first experience travelling beyond the Fleurieu region, let alone overseas. To ensure this transformative opportunity is accessible regardless of financial background, we have capped costs and are actively fundraising and seeking support to bridge the gap, with students and families contributing through savings and ongoing instalments. Our itinerary includes stays in Osaka, Tokyo, and Morioka over a two-week study tour. The highlight of the trip is a seven-night homestay with host families in Morioka, (our sister school), where students will be fully immersed in authentic Japanese family life. This in-depth cultural experience will broaden students’ perspectives, reinforce the language skills they have learnt in Japanese classes, and help them build lifelong connections. We plan to visit temples, Tokyo Sky Tree, Disneyland, famous locations, castles, use local transport and eat local food. A highlight of our partnership with Morioka Chuo High School—our sister school—is their annual visit to our school and their visits to the Fleurieu Peninsula. During their stay, local families host around 40 international guests, introducing them to our tourism assets such as Victor Harbor, Mount Compass for strawberry picking, Willunga Markets, and renowned local eateries. This reciprocal arrangement strengthens international ties and promotes our region to the global community. By organising this biennial study tour, Seaford Secondary College is reaffirming its commitment to intercultural understanding, language learning, and the fostering of lasting friendships. Annette Wedding Japan Study Tour Australia Fleurieu https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/fleurieu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/539326 2026-06-16T00:00:00Z 2026-06-17T00:35:30Z Christmas in Rockport, Inc., is a non-profit that my wife Courtney and I created. The mission for the organization is expanding a coordinated, town-wide holiday initiative to position Rockport as a premier New England winter destination. Building on existing traditions, the project introduces curated programming—live music, seasonal food, family-friendly events, and immersive downtown experiences—paired with targeted regional marketing campaigns designed to attract visitors throughout the holiday season. By increasing winter visitation and engagement, the initiative supports local businesses, strengthens the regional economy, and reinforces Rockport’s identity as a vibrant, year-round coastal destination. Marshall Tulley Christmas In Rockport Project United States Rockport, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/rockport tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/470448 2026-06-15T00:00:00Z 2026-06-13T22:42:10Z A Self Love Arts and Crafts Club Vision Statement: When you create Art from the Heart it can prevent your brain from Falling apart. Mission Statement: Veterans come back home from service feeling disconnected to their community and outside world. The wounds of war are not always from combat and are not always visible. Mental health issues from service to your country come in a variety of forms. A person who has been impacted by a significant trauma can be plagued with fear, loss of self confidence, depression, anxiety and PTSD. This can make someone become isolated and lose that sense of community. A community is so vital for humans to feel a sense of purpose and worthy of living. As a women veteran you signed the dotted line willing to risk it all to fight for the freedom of others and our country. In this group I ask you to fight for yourself to create from your heart just as hard as you fought for others for a change. You are worth it. We chose the Mermaid as our mascot. Mermaids represent the ability to change and evolve, reminding people to embrace inner transformation and adapt to new phases of life. They can serve as guides for those seeking to connect with their inner creativity and power. This group is a safe place for an individual to channel their inner mermaid to remember you are worth happiness and joy. While having a group of peers to support you through your creative journey. Each meeting we channel our inner creativity through different arts and crafts projects challenging us to try something new. Trying new projects is to evoke a sense of self confidence and joy. We choose a different local location for each meeting to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and into your local community by supporting a local small business. Jamie Hartje The Artsy Women Veterans Collective http://none United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/549837 2026-06-15T00:00:00Z 2026-06-23T21:00:45Z "Little Free Bus Stop" will be a space by the bus stop that includes a bench, a snack pantry, and an activity library based on how much time you have until your bus arrives. Reading material, small crafts, puzzles, and more will be organized into categories such as 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes depending on how long it takes to engage in. Some things will be free for the taking. Some items might be kept in the library so others can use them. There may even be the opportunity to create a community craft that multiple people can interact with over time. So many of us worry about being unwanted and unwelcome these days. So many people spend time apologizing instead of just being. The goal is for bus goers to have the opportunity to sit, rest, and know they are embraced by their community. Kelsey Leach The Little Free Bus Stop http://N/A United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/552468 2026-06-14T00:00:00Z 2026-06-15T12:53:01Z AboutFaceDetroit has run an intensive anti litter campaign in East Village for 3 yrs. To date we have stewarded major thoroughfares throughout the neighborhood through weekly clean-ups, collaborative major clean-ups, anti-litter signage and eleven new trashcan installs w/ maintenance. Last year we activated a website: AdoptaBlock/ AboutFaceDetroit, so that the entire community would be able to join the effort in keeping us clean and shiny. The costs associated for this project are not major, yet they are significant for a small 501c3. We use yellow bags for litter and leave them on the curb for our maintenance crew to retrieve. The yellow bags are a bit more costly, but serve as reminders to the community of our dedicated mission, which then inspires them to not litter as well. Our maintenance team ensures the proper disposal of yellow bags and the emptying of the eleven garbage cans installed throughout East Village. Alice James Love, not Litter http://AboutFaceDetroit.com United States Detroit, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/detroit tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/580833 2026-06-11T00:00:00Z 2026-06-11T14:35:03Z Each Saturday I meet with the youth and young adults in Ellwood Park. We clean the trash and remove the needles (the children do not touch the needles) from the park and the surrounding outer edges of the park. During the summer, we are going to build a garden and fishpond during the clean-up. To further engage the youth and young adults during the summer we want to keep the children engaged in positive activates to prevent and reduce crime while building and enhancing their future outlook. Dione Rodman Ellwood Park Youth Clean-Up Project United States Baltimore, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/baltimore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/580900 2026-06-11T00:00:00Z 2026-06-15T19:53:09Z We are one of the only transgender-led, COVID-conscious, anti-colonialist, grassroots exercise groups in Baltimore. We practice Irish stick fighting martial arts (bataireacht) to not only kick ass, but also make sure there is a radically inclusive space where we can build community by bonking each other with sticks. Literally blood, sweat, and tears. This safe space has been extra special as trans folks have been increasingly marginalized (by law!), the effects of long COVID continue to threaten the health of some of our members, infrastructure is hostile to people with disabilities, and there has been a backlash against a culture of consent. Being in a space that views these challenges not as burdens to overcome, but as flavors of life we should celebrate, is freeing. Over years, we were able to build this awesome community of queer-majority, COVID-conscious, ability-inclusive, martial artists in Baltimore City through our weekly in-person classes. Then, at the beginning of 2026, our coach made the tough decision to leave the awesomeness of Baltimore for the banality of Philly. We do not fault him for it, but we miss the charm he brought to the city. Keeping the spirit alive here in Baltimore has been a challenging, but welcomed quest. We have been having weekly study sessions but we hope to host a tournament to deepen our practice. We hope that you will help support us getting gear and safety equipment for our showdown this Summer! Loam Nelson on Behalf of Irish Stick Fighting Study Group Irish Stick Fighting (Bataireacht) Summer Showdown http://instagram.com/bmorebata United States Baltimore, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/baltimore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/545392 2026-06-10T00:00:00Z 2026-06-12T18:13:24Z We have a graduation trip and graduation ceremoney coming up Farnoosh Grade 8 graduation Canada Newmarket https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newmarket-ontario tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/570444 2026-06-10T00:00:00Z 2026-06-23T01:12:07Z Congratulations to our June 2026 grantee. AwesomeStPaul will be helping Agriculture Teacher Megan Hall purchase plants, seedlings and equipment to stock the school’s recently-renovated greenhouse. According to Ms. Hall, “My teaching greenhouse need to be brought back to life! For 3 years, the greenhouse had a broken cooling system and multiple pest infestations. This spring, it was repaired and cleaned, but it's completely empty! Please help my horticulture and landscape design classes bring this greenhouse back to life!” Megan Hall Greenhouse Revival United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/575657 2026-06-10T00:00:00Z 2026-06-30T20:22:07Z I will lead an exterior mural camp for Ypsilanti youth in collaboration with a locally owned Latin restaurant. Over the course of the camp, students will develop leadership skills, practice mindfulness, and engage in collaborative problem solving as they design and install a large-scale mural for a family-owned small business. The camp will conclude with a closing celebration where students, families, and friends gather to honor the work and witness what young people can accomplish when given meaningful opportunities. I have secured partial funding for this project from the restaurant owners, and a small grant through CultureSource. I have also been in conversation with Communities in Schools (Ypsilanti) and Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education to identify students who may benefit from the mural camp. I have been leading mural camps in Lansing, MI since 2021. I moved to Southeast Michigan 3 years ago and have been working to get a mural camp funded for students in this region with little traction, until this year. Dustin Hunt Ypsilanti Summer Mural Camp https://www.muralmatics.com/murals-2 United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/516558 2026-06-10T00:00:00Z 2026-07-01T14:01:46Z Hi. I am evans willet and i will be showing you my vision for this city connect baseball project. If you dont know, a city connect jersey is a special jersey that shows how a city is unique by using local art. My purpose for this was to create a jersey like that but to show what makes westminster unique for Westminster Baseball. With help from players, our design will have camouflage writing with a gradient for the color, the westminster shield on the sleeve, a sky line picture of Westminster, handwritten words about Westminster, as well as a tagline that says: “ We build this city.” Evans Willet Westminster Baseball City Connect Jerseys United States Westminster, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/westminster tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/565389 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T12:03:01Z My friend, Michael, and I started EcoMiles a few months ago. Every Sunday at 7:30 AM, we gather a community at East Coast Park (C2 carpark), roll up our sleeves, and Plog! Plogging is an exercise combined with trash-picking. Both Michael and I are on our school's Varsity Cross Country team, and we absolutely love the fitness community--while we're also passionate about improving Singapore's green space, which isn't as perfect as people may imagine. In the past 9 sessions, we've collected 145 kg+ of trash — and that's just from going out 1km and back! We decided to use the term "Plogging" and call ourselves "Ploggers" because we want to combine both the fitness community and environmental community to thrive together. So far, we've brought together dozens of high school students, our parents, adults, and even middle schoolers, and we hope to continue to build our community to all ages! https://www.ecomiless.com/ Sam Chang EcoMiles http://ecomiless.com Singapore Singapore https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/singapore tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/567106 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:19:16Z I am the social worker at Peekskill High School. Over the past five years I have run an after school cooking club with ten to twelve participants a year. many of the students I work with as a social worker suffer from poverty, anxiety, depression, low self esteem, and other mental health conditions, and each year the club is a low-stress place where they can come, be a part of a group, learn meaningful skills, and have fun. We've made the four roman pasta dishes, quesabirria, chocolate chip cookies, fried chicken, a clone of Shake Shack's burger, and countless other dishes. Usually the kids walk home with ingredients to prepare the dishes at home. The group has proven to be as crucial an element of my work with the kids as my counseling sessions. At the end of each year, I try to organize a tip to a top-tier NYC restaurant. I am a food writer on the side, and through my contacts I have been able to organize trips two out of the five years, free of charge. This, of course, is challenging to pull off consistently, however. School funding to my program was cut at the end of last year. I was able to secure enough private gifts to pay for groceries for this year, but I'm currently working to arrange funding for next year. Michael Diago Cooking Club https://bittmanproject.com/tales-of-an-accidental-cooking-club/ United States Peekskill, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/peekskill tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/514364 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:58:17Z With the input of the mental health professionals who work at my old elementary school (Onaway Elementary in Shaker Heights, OH), I would like to purchase mental health-themed books for a parent/caregiver lending library for parents of children struggling with mental health issues and or social emotional problems. Yvette Pohlman Mental Health Child Caregiver Lending Library United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/579449 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:59:00Z The East Cleveland Community Choir is a free weekly singing group launching in June at Loiter, a community arts and cultural space in East Cleveland. The choir brings together seniors from across East Cleveland and surrounding neighborhoods to sing, share stories, build friendships and reduce social isolation. A feature on Loiter's website is soon to follow. Many participants are older residents who have deep connections to the city's history but face barriers to participating in cultural activities, including transportation costs, mobility challenges and limited access to welcoming social spaces. The choir creates a regular opportunity for connection, creativity and joy in a neighborhood where opportunities specifically designed for seniors are limited. Alongside singing, sessions include time for conversation, refreshments and the sharing of personal memories connected to songs, places and community life. The project helps preserve local stories while strengthening relationships between residents. The Awesome Foundation grant would help ensure that participation remains free and accessible. By supporting transportation assistance, shared meals and basic session resources, the grant would directly increase attendance and make it easier for seniors to participate consistently. The choir is hosted by Loiter, an East Cleveland-based cultural organization committed to community building, creative participation and neighborhood stewardship. The project aims to create a sustainable, welcoming space where older residents can build community through music and shared experience. In a city often defined by narratives of decline, the choir offers something simple but powerful: a place to gather, sing, laugh, remember and belong. Ben Smith East Cleveland Community Choir https://loiter.us/ United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/555459 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-13T00:02:54Z Hello awesome people! Have you ever seen a beaver in a newstand selling beaver news and spreading the good word of river conservation? Me either! The people of San Francisco have been deprived for too long and it's about dam time that we bring them what they deserve. I have been granted the privilege of occupying a newstand kiosk for 6 months in efforts to help bring more art to downtown SF. My duty is to provide good cheer, absurdity, information, and logs. A task that I hold near and dear to my chest. I beavlieve that the world needs more whimsy and play, especially at busy FiDi intersections. Bring back the Beave! In the streets and in the rivers. If the macro is a reflection of the micro, perhaps the best way to promote the reintroduction of beavers into rivers is through absurd ways of sharing information. My master plan is to: (1) lure them in with human castoreum (aka jokes); (2) capture attention using absurdities (aka beaver conspiracies); (3) hit 'em with the facts (aka introduce the history of beavers and their importance in preserving balanced river ecology); (4) change the world for the better using good cheer and beaver jokes. Insta @whoisbeaverella Some Lady Beaver News Live http://somelady.art United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/567601 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:19:52Z The JOBS Program is a workforce development and life stabilization initiative designed to help participants overcome barriers to employment, education, and long-term self-sufficiency. The program serves individuals facing challenges such as homelessness, justice involvement, housing instability, educational barriers, unemployment, and limited access to economic opportunities. Hosted at the Field Library in Peekskill, the program creates a welcoming and community-centered environment where participants can rebuild confidence, develop professional skills, and prepare for meaningful employment and career advancement. The JOBS Program combines workforce readiness training with personal development support. Participants receive assistance with resume building, interview preparation, digital literacy, communication skills, financial literacy, career exploration, and job readiness. The program also connects participants to supportive resources that help address barriers that often prevent long-term success. What makes this project unique is its focus on restoring dignity, opportunity, and hope. Many participants have experienced setbacks that left them disconnected from stable employment pathways. The JOBS Program helps bridge that gap by providing practical tools, mentorship, encouragement, and access to resources within a safe and supportive setting. The program is intentionally designed to meet participants where they are and help them move toward sustainable independence. By partnering with community organizations and utilizing trusted community spaces like the library, the initiative increases accessibility for individuals who may not otherwise engage in workforce systems. Alicia Simmons JOBS Program http://www.homelessremedies.org United States Peekskill, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/peekskill tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/581729 2026-06-09T00:00:00Z 2026-06-09T23:57:41Z Thank you for considering support for opportunities like our Josh Talks. Josh Canfield is a 22-year-old autistic individual with Down syndrome who was once considered nonverbal. Through determination, intensive motor development training, and consistent practice, Josh has learned to communicate openly by typing on a keyboard, allowing him to share his thoughts, experiences, and perspective on living under a diagnosis. Josh's journey demonstrates that when individuals are provided with appropriate motor development supports, communication, purpose, and productivity can emerge in ways that many never thought possible. His goal is to help others understand that a diagnosis does not define a person's intelligence, potential, or ability to contribute meaningfully to their community. The Motor Development Foundation has helped fund programs and services that are often not covered by county or state resources. These opportunities have been life-changing for Josh and have played a critical role in helping him gain access to reliable communication. Without these supports, Josh would not have the voice he has today. Through Josh Talks, Josh shares his story to raise awareness, inspire hope, and educate the community about the importance of presuming competence and providing access to communication. These events also help raise funds for scholarships and innovative programs that support individuals with complex communication and motor challenges. Josh resides in Cuyahoga County, as do many of the children, teens, and adults who benefit from the Motor Development Foundation's programs. Grant funding would help us expand these opportunities, increase community awareness, and provide more families in Cuyahoga County with access to life-changing communication and motor development supports. Katy Custer Josh Talk 4 http://Modevfoundation.com United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/547735 2026-06-08T00:00:00Z 2026-06-17T18:05:32Z Howdy! For decades, country and western fans have been begging for an all-drag-queen, -king, and -thing band. The Ratskin Family Band is an answer to these prayers. This all-drag country band performs country standards, reimagined pop hits and original country songs with queer themes. Join Amanda Prior (banjo), Kitty Creature (fiddle), Terry Dickoff (bass), Zephline (acoustic guitar), Pinny Merle (pedal steel), and Tago Mago (percussion) for a hootenanny queer country fusion band the likes of which cannot be experienced anywhere else on the planet. We’ve been performing since April 2024 and have built a beautiful live act here in Toronto that continues to grow with each show. Our upcoming EP, Back to the Cuntry (featuring newly released single "All You Fascists Bound to Lose") is set to drop in the fall and is an electrifying energetic encapsulation of our live shows, in a tight 35 minute studio performance. While the EP has already been recorded, the Awesome Foundation grant will support the band in paying other Toronto artists/costume designers/cinematographers etc to help us strengthen the visual world that accompanies our music: music videos, concert photography and promotional photoshoots so we can elevate, remain DIY and pay our team handsomely. As a drag country band, you have to see us in action to get the full picture! This project brings queer stories (real and imagined) to the forefront of a genre that has always been camp, but rarely loving to 2SLGBTQ folks. We aim to reunite queer people raised on country music with a warm hug and an album that loves them back. We also seek to create a space for people who may have never felt safe to engage with country music, the chance to challenge their assumptions, and broaden their musical horizons. Dexter Sloan The Ratskin Family Band - Back to the Cuntry https://theratskinfamilyband.bandcamp.com/ Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/541271 2026-06-07T00:00:00Z 2026-06-08T01:21:33Z The Liberation Paddle Out (LPO) is a free, community gathering that opens the door for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to experience the ocean in Santa Cruz in a welcoming and supportive environment. Hosted by Black Surf Santa Cruz, the event provides surf instruction, ocean and water safety education, and free access to wetsuits and surfboards so that cost or equipment are never barriers to participation. Santa Cruz is home to some of the most beautiful public beaches in the world, yet many communities have not historically felt included in surf culture or coastal recreation. For many participants, barriers such as financial constraints, lack of equipment, limited swimming experience, transportation challenges, and experiences of exclusion or discrimination have made the ocean feel out of reach. Liberation Paddle Out is designed to change that. Through mentorship from experienced volunteer surfers and water people, participants receive hands-on guidance, encouragement, and ocean safety education in a space intentionally rooted in belonging and community care. The event creates an atmosphere where people can build confidence in the water while connecting with others who share similar experiences. By helping people feel comfortable and confident in coastal spaces, Liberation Paddle Out expands who gets to experience the ocean and helps cultivate a new generation of diverse ocean stewards in Santa Cruz County. Esabella Bonner BSSC's 6th Annual Liberation Paddle Out https://www.blacksurfsantacruz.org/programs United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/581990 2026-06-07T00:00:00Z 2026-06-08T14:36:21Z The Old Town Cemetery Wildflower Walkway is a high-visibility beautification project along the Old Town Cemetery railing on Liberty Street and South Street in the City of Newburgh. It will transform an underutilized strip along the cemetery railing into a seasonal wildflower walkway that brings color, life, and care to one of Newburgh’s most historic public spaces. The project has four goals. First, it will encourage residents and visitors to walk north along Liberty Street beyond South Street, toward under-pedestrianized blocks that include local businesses such as Blacc Vanilla and Happy Deli 2. A continuous wildflower edge can make the walk feel safer, more inviting, and more connected. Second, it will draw attention to Old Town Cemetery, one of Newburgh’s important historic assets. The cemetery is rich with local lore, early American history, and distinctive architecture, yet many pedestrians pass by without fully noticing it. The planting will act as a visual invitation to see the cemetery as a place of history, beauty, and civic pride. Third, the walkway will support pollinators and urban biodiversity by providing food and habitat for bees, butterflies, moths, and other beneficial insects. Fourth, the project will bring together neighbors, youth volunteers, preservation advocates, local businesses, and community groups around a visible, achievable public improvement. In addition to the wildflower meadow, nearby businesses on the west side of the block, including the laundromat and two delis, will receive large terracotta planters with boxwood, ivy, and seasonal marigolds. A sign will be installed on the cemetery railing, and a new trash can will be placed near Liberty Street and Gidney Avenue to support cleanliness. Volunteers will remove litter, lightly prepare the soil, hand-broadcast a Northeast-adapted wildflower seed mix, and install the planters. Cian Hamill Old Town Cemetery Wildflower Walkway United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/nl/chapters/newburgh