tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/pt/projects?page=11 2025-03-17T21:34:22Z tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/322775 2025-03-13T00:00:00Z 2025-03-17T21:34:22Z AwesomeStPaul is excited to announce our March 2025 grant has been awarded to Brightside Produces’ Corner Store Program. This project provides incentives for corner stores in St. Paul’s “food deserts” to offer customers fresh produce. In applicant Justa Heinen-Kay’s words, “Eliminating food deserts in underserved urban areas is a major public health priority. In many lower income and racially diverse parts of the Twin Cities, there are few grocery stores available within walking distance, making it difficult for families who live in underserved communities to purchase fresh, healthy food. Low-income city residents often buy groceries from corner stores since these small retailers are embedded within neighborhoods and convenient to shop at without requiring transportation. However, it is difficult for corner stores to stock high-quality, low-cost fresh produce for a variety of reasons, including the lack of a viable distribution service and the financial risk of stocking perishable items. BrightSide Produce was founded in 2014 by two 16-year olds from North Minneapolis and a University of St Thomas professor to create a novel way for corner stores to stock affordable fresh produce. For over 10 years, Brightside’s nationally-recognized Healthy Corner Store Program has provided a year-round fresh produce distribution service for corner stores in underserved Minneapolis and St. Paul neighborhoods. Our convenient weekly service overcomes key barriers to stocking fresh produce for small stores by offering flexible ordering terms, no minimum order, and a small markup above wholesale cost to keep prices low. BrightSide currently partners with about 45 corner stores in Minneapolis and St. Paul, all of which are independent “mom and pop” shops owned by people of color, and distributes about 3500 pounds of fresh produce per week to corner stores. Our corner store fresh produce distribution service is transformative for fresh food access in underserved communities. Many of our partner corner stores say that they would not be able to stock fresh produce without BrightSide’s services. However, because we keep prices low for stores, it is expensive to operate this program and requires subsidies to keep it sustainable.” Justa Heinen-Kay Fighting Food Deserts in St. Paul https://brightsidempls.org/ United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/327871 2025-03-12T00:00:00Z 2025-04-09T18:26:40Z The objective of this project is to provide an educational 60-minute documentary showcasing the abilities and contributions of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and how they benefit the community in a positive manner. The perception of people with IDD has long carried a societal bias of negative thoughts and emotions. Stereotypical viewpoints of this population may result in discrimination and prejudice or cause a feeling of discomfort and avoidance. Regardless of the manifestation of social interactions, it becomes a critical task to start to impact change by shifting away from a society with disability bias and towards one of acceptance and support. The focus of this documentary is to provide a resource that shows the beneficial contributions of the IDD population and the agencies that support them alongside organizations that employ them. To bring the most comprehensive viewpoint of the IDD community, five non-profit organizations are collaborating to bring this project to life. Representing the various segments of the IDD community will be The Arc of Carroll County with a focus on residential living and group homes; Penn Mar will focus on community day services and programs; Target in partnership with McDaniel college will highlight a graduate student working with a person with IDD; Bello Machre will focus on employment within the community; and Community Media Center will act as producer and director for the project. By telling the story of how this population integrates into the community, it serves as a tool to break down barriers and change perceptions of those that may lack an understanding of their abilities and productivity. The protagonists will provide the main voice to the documentary and will be an encouragement to the community to perceive those with IDD in a different light; one that brings positivity and empowerment and helps to end the disability bias. Susan Reed Embracing Abilities, Building Community https://www.carrollmediacenter.org/ United States Westminster, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/westminster tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/330386 2025-03-12T00:00:00Z 2025-03-15T13:52:01Z À la Dada is a creative arts project with a mission to produce eccentric cabarets that showcase both professional and amateur artists in unconventional spaces. The cabarets are open to all forms of creative work, including but not limited to music, theater, dance, improvisation, costume design, performance art, fine art, engineering, spoken word, etc. On average, 50-75% of performers in an À la Dada cabaret are professional artists who are paid by the organization. The rest are amateurs, volunteers, and audience members who wish to participate and showcase their work. Think of a cross between a recital and an open mic. This open-concept ethos is directly inspired by the Dadaists and Dada movement of the early 20th century and the cabarets produced in Cafe Voltaire. Any and all art was welcome then, so any and all art is welcome now. À la Dada expands upon the original cabaret structure by inviting community participation and blurring the lines between audience and performer. The first cabaret will take place on April 5th 2025 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Ypsilanti, MI featuring local artists and volunteers! Juliet Schlefer à la Dada United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/330953 2025-03-12T00:00:00Z 2025-03-13T14:23:31Z Around the Table A collaborative event between The Ipswich Art Association & Three Sisters When we gather together in community, everyone is fed. Date: April 4-6, 2025 Location: EBSCO Hall Join the Ipswich Art Association and Three Sisters April 4-6 as we explore what it means for a community to be nourished - body and soul. Around the Table is a three day event dedicated to the places where art, farming, food, and community meet in Ipswich. Join us Around the Table and help build a place of plenty for all. Featuring Art Around the Table - an exhibit of works by local artists and artisans from the IAA celebrating the ways we grow, make and share food - from landscapes to tablescapes. Works will be for sale, with proceeds benefiting the artists, Three Sisters and the IAA. Food Around the Table - conversations with Three Sisters showing how their work helps our community access fresh, nutritious food. Community Around the Table - immersive community art projects that explore how good things happen when we gather together. Live music Family-friendly art demonstrations and inspirations around nourishment. Saturday and Sunday April 5-6 are free and open to the public.. On Friday night, join us for a special ticketed evening event supporting the community nourishment efforts of both organizations. Liz Green Around the Table: Nourishing Community https://threesistersgarden.org/around-the-table United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/330547 2025-03-11T00:00:00Z 2025-03-12T13:28:07Z A group of us set out to raise much-needed supplies for new mothers and children cared for at ChesPenn, a Federally Qualified Health Care Facility in Chester, PA, one of the poorest cities in the USA. We worked with the doctors at the clinic to create a list of items including diapers, clothing, nasal aspirators, breast pumps, diaper cream, home knitted hats, thermometers and more. We named the project "A Better Start for Babies". Each mother gets a colorful bag of supplies worth more than $70. These mothers are in great need; many have no English language skills, most have no insurance or financial resources, and are cared for without charge by the clinic. The doctors go over the contents of the bags with the mothers to know what to do with their newborns. We have no private business sponsors. To date, we have worked with donations from individuals and we have received a grant from a local public foundation. John Greenstine A Better Start for Babies https://www.bethisraelmedia.org/donate-to-a-better-start-for-babies.html United States Philadelphia, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/philadelphia tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/332393 2025-03-11T00:00:00Z 2025-03-12T21:14:13Z I live in whimsical and weird Arcata CA. I would love to host an event called WormFest: A celebratory and educational festival focused on worms, soil, and the ecosystem services they provide. The main event of WormFest would be a worm grunting competition. (Video for context of a similar event in England: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayQkFgQsQxY&ab_channel=Britclip). We would have prizes for most worms, biggest specimen, most creative approach, and best costume. In addition, we would have live funk music with a "worm" dance move contest. We would also invite food trucks who could offer worm or soil themed food. We would invite local environmental agencies to discuss vermicompost demo/education, soil health education and general soils education. We would also invite craft vendors with worm themed art. I have created a WormFest sticker that says "I wiggled at WormFest" to spread the word for future years. We want this to be a family friendly community event to excite Humboldt County CA to strive for good soil health practices and be thankful for the soil and of course our wiggly worms. Megan Kownurko WormFest http://N/A United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/331742 2025-03-10T00:00:00Z 2025-03-11T16:41:47Z We host free pop up up events called Lit(eracy) Lounges. These events allow readers from across the literacy spectrum to engage with culturally relevant and representative literature. We provide free comics and graphic novels, activities, and refreshments. Our events provide residents in underserved and disinvested communities (specifically Cleveland’s Mt Pleasant, Buckeye-Shaker, and Woodland Hills neighborhoods) an opportunity to explore the joy of reading. In addition this gives people a chance to feel like they’re in a school book fair extending book ownership through book choice Dawn Arrington Comics at the Corner 2025 Lit lounges http://Comicsatthecorner.com United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/331995 2025-03-10T00:00:00Z 2025-03-11T09:05:20Z Imagine sitting on the SunRail, minding your own business, on your way to or from work or a meeting, and spontaneous opera erupts beside you! Imagine the feeling of awe to feel this powerful voice beside you that feels like it may just blow the roof off of the SunRail train and how excited and delighted you would feel. That is what we would like for you to experience with our Pop Up Opera! We are requesting funds to produce this experience for SunRail riders in the month of March. In March 2025, Timucua Arts Foundation will be hosting our very first Opera Festival in collaboration with Bravo Chamber Orchestra, Musical Traditions, VoxO, Central Florida Vocal Arts, Helena Collective, Opera Orlando and Keri Lee Pierson/Chanji Kim. Along with our collaborators, we will be exposing the Central Florida community to opera cohesively throughout the month of March. We are proud to announce that Keri Lee Pierson’s opera is a world premiere! Leah Nash Pop Up Opera http://Timucua.com United States Orlando, FL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/orlando tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/332821 2025-03-10T00:00:00Z 2025-03-11T16:42:23Z The JVA Cleveland Archive is a community-driven oral history and archive project committed to chronicling, preserving, and sharing the untold stories of Soviet refugees who resettled in the Cleveland area between 1976 and 1991, from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment (JVA) to the end of the Soviet Union. During this time, an estimated 12,000 Soviet refugees settled here. Many immigrants who fled the USSR due to political oppression and religious persecution settled in Beachwood, South Euclid, Cleveland Heights, Mayfield Heights, and other East Side neighborhoods. Before arriving in the U.S., they were migrants in Italy and Austria. However, their personal histories, photographs, and documents remain largely unarchived. This project allows them to own and tell their own stories. Many adults who undertook this migration with their families are seniors now, making this project all the more urgent. We would like to host a Community Archiving Day, inviting these residents and their families to bring old photos, immigration documents, and personal mementos to be digitized at photo and scanning stations. Bilingual volunteers will conduct short oral history interviews on-site, which will all be preserved on a public website. In the next stage of this project, we plan to hold a pop-up exhibition at a local library or community center to share these stories and personal ephemera. The long-term goal of this project is archival and classification within a larger organization dedicated to preservation and history. What makes this project unique: - Includes Soviet émigrés of all backgrounds and ethnicities. - Encourages the participation of and engagement with working class immigrants, not selecting for professionals or academics. - Seeks to include businesses central to the community. - Focuses on the time directly before, during, and shortly after immigration. - Taps into this somewhat insular community using interviewers from the community. Svetlana Binshtok JVA Cleveland Archive Community Archiving Day United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/326391 2025-03-10T00:00:00Z 2025-03-11T16:40:54Z Dollars & Sense is a semester-long, project-based program taught in CMSD high schools & first-ring suburbs, reaching over 400 students annually. Students earn a 0.5 elective credit while learning critical financial skills, with a strong focus on investing through a student-led investment club. The curriculum covers saving, budgeting, credit, taxes, insurance, and investing, blending classroom learning with hands-on experiences. Students will present a short-term financial plan as their final project. Funds support field trips to PNC Fairfax, the Federal Reserve, and the DECA State Competition, offering real-world finance insights. By combining classroom learning with hands-on experiences, we provide students with practical tools to navigate their financial futures confidently. More specifically, this program will: Deliver project-based instruction on saving & budgeting, credit, investing, taxes, and insurance, allowing students to apply what they learn directly to their lives. Provide monthly field trips to banks, where students will gain firsthand insights into the banking system, open personal accounts, and apply classroom concepts in real-world settings. Guide each student in creating a financial plan that includes short-term goals and post-high school financing options, helping them make informed decisions about their futures. Include participation in Breadwinners Academy’s Financial Literacy Academic Challenge, where students will apply their knowledge in a competitive and supportive setting, developing teamwork, communication, and financial skills. Offer priority access to our Books to Bread summer program for selected students, providing hands-on learning with industry professionals and deepening their understanding of financial literacy. Jason Lockett Sr Dollars & Sense: "Money Beyond the Numbers" https://www.breadwinnersacademy.org/ United States Cleveland, OH https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/cleveland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/331117 2025-03-09T00:00:00Z 2025-03-20T01:39:41Z On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Newburgh Urban Farm and Food, Inc. will hold its 9th annual Urban Farming Fair from 12:00-4:00PM at Downing Park Urban Farm located at 207 Carpenter Avenue. The day is free to the public and is focused on better nutrition, urban ecology, agriculture, and gardening. We offer live music, a live performance for children called Alice in Scienceland, storytelling, workshops on gardening, soil testing, crafts for children, farm tours, and free vegetable seedlings. Vendors include the Newburgh Free Library, Cornell Cooperative Extension, health and wellness agencies, other community organizations, and local farmers. Hundreds of people from the City of Newburgh and the greater Newburgh area attend. To help offset our expenses, we offer sponsorships for local businesses and individuals. Nancy Proyect/Virginia Kasinki Newburgh Urban Farming Fair https://www.newburghurbanfarmandfood.org/ United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/268756 2025-03-05T00:00:00Z 2025-03-07T22:14:10Z Adiós is an End of Life planning platform for people that would like to leave their family and loved ones with reduced burden, confusion or conflict and instead provide an increased understanding, transparency and clarity on their end of life wishes and arrangements. Adios is a single touch point for all the information, a step by step process to facilitate informed decision making, providing a central point of reference for both the user and their families. Nook O’Dea Adios http://adios.au Australia Newcastle https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newcastle tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/330418 2025-03-05T00:00:00Z 2025-03-06T09:19:21Z Diva was founded in 2019 by Christina Iskandar who recruited eight female volunteers to rescue food that was intended for landfill and turn it into nutritious meals for the underprivileged, homeless, and anyone doing it tough. Our monthly blessing table food pantry and BBQ connects community. At Diva, we believe access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food is a human right. Our monthly Blessing Table helps stretch consumers’ budgets while reducing the carbon footprint. Diva receives no government support and raises money from BBQs, fundraisers and trivia nights. Diva has formed close relationships with local community partners who donate both pantry and fresh foods. We are aligned with other NFPs including Homeless Not Nameless by collecting warm blankets and clothing for those in need in winter. Diva restores hope and dignity, promotes inclusion and self advocacy. The estimated Matraville population is close to 14,000 while half of this number are females raising children. The 2023 ABS Census estimated mental health conditions in this population was at 6.2%. Diva acts as a referral service, providing information for the community in need. The unmet needs of this community include access to health care, poor nutrition. Social connection has been proven to assist with both physical and mental health. Diva's Mission is to build a stronger and resilient community, bring community together and assist anyone, especially women needing support. The money will be used as follows: • Shade cover for the Monthly blessing table $200 • Chairs for community to sit on $300 • Storage shed for donated non-perishable foods and essential items $500 (we are desperate for storage at present). Robyn Fitzpatrick Diva Charity Inc. Blessing Table http://divacharity.com.au Australia Sydney https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sydney tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/324878 2025-03-04T00:00:00Z 2025-03-04T15:27:18Z ROLE:KAWL is a weekly competitive open mic and variety show that celebrates artistic expression and community engagement. Hosted at Cheer Up Charlie's every Tuesday night, this event provides a welcoming platform for artists across all disciplines—including poetry, music, drag, comedy, and more—to share their talents with a supportive audience. Participants have the opportunity to compete for a $50 cash prize and a featured spot in a future show, further encouraging their creative growth and exposure. The mission of ROLE:KAWL is to create a space where individuals can explore liberatory expression and foster community bonding through art. The event is rooted in inclusivity, with a commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for all attendees and participants. ROLE:KAWL is more than a show—it’s a community-driven initiative that uplifts local artists, strengthens connections, and highlights the importance of art in fostering inclusivity and cultural vibrancy. A grant from the Austin Awesome Foundation will fund 20 weeks of prizes for the participating artists. Jasmine Beatty ROLE:KAWL - Keeping Austin Weird & Live https://amazingaeffects.com/rolekawl United States Austin, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/austin tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/332392 2025-03-01T00:00:00Z 2025-09-15T14:36:42Z TOPM is located on the far Southeast side of San Antonio in a rural area. For the 2 years we have organized a back to school bash for families that we serve monthly during are food distribution. The back to school bash also covers grades K-12 that attends East Central, Southside and Southeast school districts. Our goal has been to serve 200 or children with schools supplies, provide free hair cuts, fun activities that they would not normally have the opportunity to do with their family. We also provide lunch and have the local fire department and sheriff department attend to provide finger printing and talk about home and school safety. We also partner with the local food bank to provide snack bags for all the families to take home at the end of the event. Doris Mitchell TOPM Back to School Bash http://TOPMonline.com United States San Antonio, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sanantonio tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/328334 2025-02-28T00:00:00Z 2025-04-13T16:48:31Z We are currently supporting a community meal project lead by those in the asylum system and part of Merseyside Solidarity Knows No Borders. The aim of the project is to provide a regular social space to share food, build connections, organise and find new forms of solidarity and mutual aid. So far, we have supported four highly successful, ‘pre-party’ events, working with Solidarity Knows No Borders, Comforts Angels, Asylum Link Liverpool, Many Hands One Heart and Liverpool Migrant Solidarity Network, primarily with women asylum seekers and refugees. These groups are Liverpool based organisation either led by refugees or collaborative efforts between those with and without citizenship. The meals have been attended by around 40 persons per event. They have been invited through established whatsap groups as well as via paper invitations exchanged at outside the Home Office where people go to ‘sign’. We have had people joining us from as far as Chester, Widnes and Manchester. Alongside food and informal conversation, we also got representatives from some key service provides to join us and were able to give advice ‘on the spot’. For example, someone facing eviction in Manchester was directed to the Manchester Law Centre at one meal. Volunteers have also helped provide entertainment at the meals, this has included a yoga, dance, music and art workshops. We know this had meant a lot to those who have attended, and there is keen interest and enthusiasm for developing the community meal projects. Our events ‘Red City Solidarity Disco’ have been funding the meals so far including transport. These events are organised after the meals, so refugees and asylum seekers can stay (for free) at the party with our wider community. Increasingly people are wanting to join us after the community meal which is great but comes at a loss of fundraising revenue. The transport costs are also significant though make a big difference to participation from this very low income group. Red City Solidarity Disco Community Meal and Transport Inclusion https://www.instagram.com/redcitysolidaritydisco/ United Kingdom Liverpool (Inativo) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/328541 2025-02-28T00:00:00Z 2025-03-06T20:09:51Z At Veterans Exploration Therapy, we use adventure as a catalyst to reach veterans who fall through the cracks of the traditional system. We teach veterans and their families new outdoor exploration skills that support improvements to their mental health and daily lives. Our adventures create supportive environments that foster resilience, connection, and a renewed sense of belonging. We create exciting opportunities for veterans to build confidence and hope through the transformative power of nature. Our adventures include snowshoeing, cross country skiing, rock climbing, hiking, four-wheeling, fishing, rafting, and other outdoor activities which challenge the participants to overcome physical, mental, and emotional barriers they struggle with. By mastering these challenges together, family bonds are strengthened through the joy of a shared experience. Since we started in 2022, we have served over 500 veterans and family members, in over 50 adventure trips. Our goal is to conduct 35 adventure trips in 2025. **What our grantee is saying:** "We’re incredibly grateful for this grant and what it will allow us to do. At Veterans Exploration Therapy, we use outdoor adventure as a tool to help veterans push past their fears, build resilience, and find healing in ways that traditional therapy often can’t provide. This funding directly supports our mission by helping us cover costs for equipment, transportation, and guiding fees—ensuring that every veteran, regardless of financial situation, can access these life-changing experiences. For many of the veterans we serve, these programs aren’t just about recreation; they’re about rediscovering purpose, reconnecting with a supportive community, and proving to themselves that they are capable of overcoming life’s obstacles. Whether it’s scaling a rock face, diving into the unknown, or simply finding peace in nature, these moments become powerful stepping stones in their healing journey." Deke Letson Therapeutic Pathways in the Outdoors https://www.vetxtherapy.org Worldwide Disability https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/disability tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/329246 2025-02-28T00:00:00Z 2025-03-05T02:51:38Z This is Not Going Away is a zine making workshop and conversation about the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on queer, chronically ill and disabled communities in 2025. With the onus of public health education, community protection, and self-preservation almost entirely placed on those who are most affected and disenfranchised by the continued dangers of COVID-19, and in increasing amounts of isolation and sickness, how can we join forces to support each other in ways both material and emotional? This workshop is a space of individuals to share their experiences and collectively brainstorm ways forward together, while contributing to a collective zine. This workshop is for sick and disabled queers and our friends, those of us who are not afraid to keep talking about the reality of COVID-19, and anyone who would like to join back in the conversation after having stepped away from it. The workshop will be held at the Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave on Sunday March 30 at 12:00 PM. This program is part of the Toronto Queer Film Festival 2025 Edition. This Is Not Going Away is run by Francis Tomkins. Francis Tomkins is a queer, chronically ill artist, zine-maker, and accessibility worker living in Tkaronto. Their zine practice focuses on perzines, connecting to community and resisting erasure through personal storytelling. They have worked in communications and accessibility roles at Tangled Art + Disability and StopGap Foundation, and as an accessibility consultant for various galleries, museums and independent artists and curators. Francis has a BFA in Cross-Disciplinary Arts: Publications from OCAD University (the closest thing you can get to a degree in zines). Toronto Queer Film Festival This Is Not Going Away https://torontoqueerfilmfest.com/event/this-is-not-going-away-2/ Canada Toronto https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/toronto tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/319803 2025-02-28T00:00:00Z 2025-03-10T21:54:18Z Our February grant has been awarded to **Sew BK-NYC**, a new initiative from Black Girls Sew, a non-profit that envisions a world where every individual, regardless of background, has equal access to sewing and design spaces. Sew BK-NYC is a mobile version of their programming that will reach neighbors beyond Bedford Stuyvesant, where their current studio is located. In the spring of 2025, in partnership with the Brooklyn Museum, Black Girls Sew will take their sewing classes and mending & repair workshops to marginalized neighborhoods to continue to spread a love for sewing and begin to foster a love for repair & sustainability. There are currently plans for 4 pop-ups throughout the coming year and the AwesomeNYC grant will help pay for additional sewing machines for this mobile program. * [Learn more about Black Girls Sew on their website](http://www.blackgirlssew.com) * [Follow them on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/blackgirlssew/) Hekima Hapa Sew BK-NYC http://www.blackgirlssew.com United States New York City, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/nyc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/322498 2025-02-28T00:00:00Z 2025-03-02T21:24:50Z February’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to [Visionary Voices] (visionaryvoices.ca), a local non-profit creating spaces where stories can challenge systemic inequities, to support video production workshops to empower racialized youth. “Lens of Hope,” explains co-founder Alois Mulinda Nashali, “will specifically target those in low-income neighbourhoods disproportionately affected by gun violence and substance abuse. Using visual storytelling, we will equip youth with technical skills, provide creative outlets, and foster a sense of belonging within the community.” “Activities will include bi-weekly video production workshops, monthly storytelling sessions, and awareness programs on substance abuse,” continues Alois. “Youth will engage in community screenings and gala events to showcase their work and spark conversations on critical social issues. The project will not only provide technical skills but also help youth process trauma, build confidence, and create positive pathways.” [Visionary Voices] (visionaryvoices.ca) is a Black youth-led nonprofit empowering underserved youth. “Our vision,” says Alois, “is a more inclusive, connected, and equitable community where everyone’s voice has the power to inspire action.” Alois Mulinda Nashali Lens of Hope https://visionaryvoices.ca/ Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/326823 2025-02-28T00:00:00Z 2025-04-13T16:48:56Z The Community Basket CIC (TCB) is a volunteer led Social Enterprise set up with the aim of alleviating poverty in North Liverpool (L4 and L5) through the provision of food and household items for free or discount prices. Our mission is to reduce food and hygiene poverty among low income families. TCB was named for the baskets of surplus food from a local food pantry that were at risk of going to waste, which from 2020 the founder began to place in her front garden for local residents to help themselves. Over time relationships with local suppliers have developed allowing the basket to provide a range of fresh food, bread, dairy and vegetables as well as hygiene staples. At present around 100kg/week of food and household essentials are redistributed via our community shop each week, meaning around 5 Tonnes of food per year that would other be wasted is making its way to the most disadvantaged in the community. Around 40 households access the shop each week, from regular customers with multiple complex challenges to people facing occasional financial stresses. The ethos of TCB is to reduce stigma for struggling families and community members by creating a community food project that everyone can access, that doesn’t make people justify their need. As a result, access to the Basket is not means tested or restricted to particular groups. Unlike food banks requiring vouchers and with limits to how many times they can be accessed, anyone who feels they will benefit from free or discounted food can access TCB, helping to address long-term and deep-rooted issues of hunger, malnutrition and ill health which help maintain cycles of disadvantage and poverty. In April 2024, we finally secured our own site to develop the project, the old allotment site in Stanley Park, which we secured on an indefinite lease from the Council, to develop not just our community shop but a food growing hub to benefit the whole community, now supported by Groundworks. Samantha Richardson The Community Basket https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091531878987 United Kingdom Liverpool (Inativo) https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/liverpool tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/318783 2025-02-27T00:00:00Z 2025-02-28T01:45:41Z The news out of Acushnet MA and Wakefield NH Christmas morning is chilling: 2 dead in a house fire in Acushnet, 4 dead from Carbon Monoxide poisoning in Wakefield. Why are people continuously dying needless deaths when affordable and effective detectors are available to prevent such needless tragedies? Are our seniors and others unaware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning? Do we need to conduct more public education? Are seniors so financially stressed that they feel they can't afford the installation of detectors? My project would provide free public education at the Senior Center and the installation of free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to hopefully prevent such tragedies in Gloucester in the future. STEPHEN M AIELLO Keep our seniors (and others) safe United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/323468 2025-02-27T00:00:00Z 2025-03-02T16:14:02Z Ipswich High School (IHS) is fortunate to offer Engineering courses to interested students. In the Engineering Projects class, students collaborate in teams while competing in an online points race, and develop hands-on skills building their own radio controlled race cars during school hours. As a culmination to their work, teams that qualify normally attend the Ten80 National RC Racing Competition. Hopefully, all thirty-eight students will qualify and attend this competition. To do so, they are seeking financial support to make this dream happen. Without fundraising, unfortunately, many interested students will not be able to attend. This is not only a great collaborative STEM experience but also an opportunity to bond with other like-minded students. For English language learners in particular, this opportunity is beneficial to bonding with other students through the shared experience of competing together. Among the 38 students, three of them, Dylan Meija Rivas, Darwin Ramirez, and Carlos Colombo (JR) especially need the funds. These three students are multilingual learners and have the additional challenge of English being their second language. Each of these students will tell you why the funds are necessary for them to be able to attend this once in a lifetime trip. Dylan and Darwin are both seniors, so this is their last opportunity to be able to take this class and be part of this competition! Tim Sidmore Ensuring Extracurricular Opportunities for All United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/325270 2025-02-27T00:00:00Z 2025-02-28T01:41:52Z Project Elm restores Cape Ann's beloved streetscape while fighting climate change. Dutch Elm Disease devastated millions of American Elms in the 1930s, transforming our tree-lined streets from cathedral-like corridors to barren paths. By 1980, these majestic 80-100 foot trees - which had guided fishermen home and shaded generations - were nearly extinct from our community. We launched Project Elm in 2021 with a solution: disease-resistant American Elm cultivars that recapture this lost heritage while absorbing carbon and cooling our neighborhoods. In Year 5, we've planted 380 trees toward our 10-year goal of 1,000 across Cape Ann and Ipswich, with 120 more planned this year at $60 per tree. Our initial volunteer campaign, supported by Awesome Rockport and Awesome Gloucester, planted 100 trees in just three weeks. This grassroots effort combines historical preservation with climate action, giving future generations both the grandeur of old Cape Ann and a more resilient environment. Join us in rebuilding our tree canopy - plant a streetside elm or support our planting fund. Salvatore Zerilli Project Elm: Year 5 http://www.capeannelms.com United States Gloucester, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/gloucester tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/328310 2025-02-26T00:00:00Z 2025-02-27T18:38:22Z Arbor Hill Assisted Living is a 50-person affordable housing and elder care community in Federal Hill. Residents are formerly homeless or housing insecure elders who live with disabilities, chronic health issues, and face mental health challenges. All are lifelong Rhode Islanders. The ‘Authentic Visions from Elders’ project will engage residents to create art pieces that are drawn from memories of their life or their visions for the future. Working directly with Rhode Island artist Thea Ernest, residents will be interviewed about their life story and their dreams for the future. At the end of this first interview, the residents will then work with Thea to sketch an image that inspires them. The resident will then participate in an art workshop, where they will learn about various art styles, from watercolor to collage. They will then color or fill in their sketch based on their own inspiration and with Thea’s guidance. The goal of this project is to uplift the stories, creativity, and dreams of low-income elders, whose voices are often forgotten about and not heard. Connor Burbridge Authentic Visions from Elders http://www.facebook.com/ArborHillAssistedLiving United States Rhode Island https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/rhodeisland tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/330675 2025-02-26T00:00:00Z 2025-03-12T16:45:35Z Commuting on my bike has become one of my biggest passions these last couple of years and I see it as a significant way to reduce waste, improve health and well being, reduce traffic, and lower carbon emissions. I see infrastructure improvements as the best way to get others to utilize sustainable transportation options like biking and using the bus. My goal is to help improve the city I was raised in and love, help reduce waste, by improving cycling infrastructure for it's citizens. I've taken most of my inspiration from the bike rack in the alleyway of Webster's Bookstore and Cafe, my vision is to make a larger rack with a rain cover outside of Abba Java. This rack will have the capacity to hold 16 bikes, and keep them protected from the elements. I strongly believe that this can all be done for significantly less than what municipal bike racks costs. This type of project will reduce waste by saving old bikes from being thrown away and instead give them a new purpose. It will also have a global impact, by the high traffic to Abba Java by students, seeing sustainable bike infrastructure will inspire them to advocate for this in their hometowns. I've included photos of the bike racks I have been inspired by, and a rough sketch of what the bike rack I want to create will look like. I met with the borough manager Tom Fountaine last week to discuss this project and he's very interested in this project and willing to help out in any way he can. I have set up meeting with Jasmine Fields of the sustainability office and Rev. Sarah Voight of Abba Java to discuss this project and get approval to begin design and construction. I'm in the process of connecting and meeting with the Planning Director, Zoning Officer, and Lt. Barrett Smith to discuss how this infrastructure can be implemented into the cities improvement projects. Let me know what you think, I'm searching for areas where I could install these, and I'd really like to help give back to the city that helped me. Connor Price Cycling Sustainably: Making an Upcycled Bike Rack United States State College, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/statecollege tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/326599 2025-02-26T00:00:00Z 2025-02-26T19:52:28Z Musi🐄 հաղորդումը, որը ստեղծվել է My Lead Time Music School-ից, ներկայացնում է նորարարական նախաձեռնություն՝ միախառնելով հայկական մշակույթը, երաժշտությունը և հումորը։ Գյումրիում այս ֆորմատով միակ երաժշտական դպրոցը լինելուց հետո, մենք որոշեցինք ընդլայնել մեր գործունեությունը և ստեղծել Musiկով հաղորդումը, որը կներկայացնի հայկական մշակույթը ժառանգաբար, բայց ժամանակակից ու հետաքրքիր ձևով։ Գյումրին՝ որպես քաղաք, ունի բազմաթիվ մշակութային խնդիրներ, որոնք պահանջում են ժամանակակից մոտեցումներ։ Մեր հաղորդումը նպատակ ունի ոչ միայն պահպանել, այլև ժամանակակից կերպով ներկայացնել հայկական արժեքները՝ մարդկանց համար հասկանալի ու մատչելի ձևով։ Musi🐄-ն միակ հաղորդումն է լինելու, որն ուղղակիորեն կապելու է երաժշտությունն ու հումորը՝ ներկայացնելով հայկական մշակույթը պատմության մեջ։ Այն նաև նպաստելու է հանրային հետաքրքրության ու կրթության աճին։ Այս նախաձեռնությունը կնպաստի Գյումրիի մշակութային կյանքին, կստեղծի նոր հնարավորություններ երիտասարդների համար՝ միաժամանակ քաղաքին դարձնելով մշակութային կենտրոն, որտեղ կարող են ծագել նոր գաղափարներ և նախաձեռնություններ։ Musi🐄 հաղորդման միջոցով մենք նպատակ ունենք բարձրացնել քաղաքի ճանաչողությունը ոչ միայն Հայաստանի ներսում, այլև միջազգային մակարդակում, ներգրավելով մի շարք հյուրեր, արվեստագետներ ու մշակույթի գործիչներ՝ տարբեր ոլորտներից։ Ժիրայր Մյուզի🐄 https://www.instagram.com/my_lead_time_gyumri?igsh=MWRnMmloOTFnc3dxOA== Armenia Yerevan https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/yerevan tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/325152 2025-02-25T00:00:00Z 2025-02-26T19:21:20Z I started an LGBTQ Center in rural central Wisconsin. Since March of this year, we have done all the steps and received our 501c3 non profit status. We have leased a small space, set up two on-going support groups, hosted a great Thanksgiving Chosen Family Dinner, and have several more programs in the works including Youth centered programming, Queer Prom, Craft and Game nights, Movie nights, and a Mentor/Mentee Program. We spent 3 months on a community survey to determine the needs and desires of the queer community in the area, and RESOURCES was a definite priority. This will help us grow our resource library for the center. Our wishlist has around $700 worth of books, and we could use some of the money to also purchase shelves in which to place the books! Rural Wisconsin can be a rough place to grow up queer. Prior to us opening, there wasn't a single resource for LGBTQ+ folx within 100 miles. Because we are rural, and lean relatively one direction politically, it has been difficult to find corporate sponsorship and donors. Most of the Wisconsin-based grants and sponsors tend to be in the southern part of the state - Madison and Milwaukee. We are relying solely on individual contributions right now, but are looking to expand. Kristin Conway Queer little Library http://www.outloudmc.org United States Chicago, IL https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/chicago tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/325296 2025-02-24T00:00:00Z 2025-03-25T00:54:43Z This Spring I want to build, install, and stock free seed and plant exchange libraries in the most food-insecure wards in D.C. I believe everyone deserves access to fresh, healthy food and the right to have agency in their own food systems. Through the Living Library initiative we aim to create a resilient, community-driven food system where neighbors not only access the tools to grow their own food but also actively contribute to sustaining this project for the future. The Living Library will feature "Little Free Libraries" stocked with seeds, and seedlings. Each library will also include a QR code linking to a virtual library with e-books and instructional videos on urban gardening. This combination of physical and virtual resources aims to guide individuals from planting to harvest, regardless of their gardening experience. Each library will also have an attached self-seeding garden planted with aromatic herbs anyone can harvest and pollinator-attracting native wildflowers. I'm partnering with Community Forklift, Little Free Library, local artists, and businesses to create and host the libraries. Seeds and seedlings will be restocked monthly through generous donations from seed companies. Eventually, the initiative will rely on community contributions, allowing the libraries to become self-sustaining while continuing to provide ongoing support. Andrew Gallegos Living Library Seed & Plant Exchange https://foodsovereigntyforall.com/ United States Washington, DC https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/dc tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/328061 2025-02-20T00:00:00Z 2025-02-21T14:14:56Z At Molly Brant, JG Simcoe and Rideau Heights Elementary Schools, located in a low socioeconomic area, we are committed to supporting our underserved student population in every way possible. One of the challenges we frequently face is students with persistent head lice infestations, which can negatively affect their well-being, self-esteem, and ability to focus in school. Many of these families cannot afford the necessary treatment products or the resources needed for proper home care, leaving the issue unresolved and creating long-term challenges for the children and their families. To address this, we propose creating head lice care packages for families in need. Each package will include essential items to treat and manage head lice effectively: a high-quality zigzag lice comb (which is more efficient than traditional combs), lice shampoo, gloves, and a detailed pamphlet with step-by-step treatment instructions. The inclusion of these resources will empower families to treat lice infestations in their homes without the financial burden that often prevents proper care. With a grant of $1,000, we can produce 46 care packages, directly assisting 46 students and their families. By providing these resources free of charge, we aim to break the cycle of persistent lice infestations and create a healthier, more inclusive school environment where all students can thrive. This project will also serve as a foundation for increasing awareness and destigmatizing lice treatment, fostering an atmosphere of care and understanding in our school community. Leah Carey Head Lice Be Gone Canada Kingston https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/kingston-on tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/330354 2025-02-18T00:00:00Z 2025-02-19T20:34:31Z The after school Art Club and advanced art students will create a mosaic mural to celebrate Anthony D. Allen who is credited to the first days of Washington Middle School almost 100 years ago. This mural will be located by the Anthony D. Allen plaque. Mia Fitzgerald 100 Years of Washington Middle School United States Oahu, HI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/oahu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/323632 2025-02-18T00:00:00Z 2025-02-19T18:39:54Z For the Culture is a community-based, diverse and inclusive homeschool 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in San Antonio, Our Youth Entrepreneur Pop-Up Market offers students the chance to create, develop, and sell their own products. This one-day business fair gives kids hands-on experience in every step of the entrepreneurial process. They brainstorm ideas and price their products, design logos and create promotional signs. With 25+ youth businesses participating, this event is a celebration of creativity and hard work. The kids are responsible for interacting with customers, making sales, and managing their profits, which helps them build skills like financial literacy, marketing, and customer service. Along the way, they gain confidence, responsibility, and a strong work ethic. This will be our 4th market and the kids get better every time. We had several visitors stop by to and comment on how independent and driven the kids were We’re passionate about empowering kids to explore their interests, set goals, and turn their ideas into reality. Our Youth Pop-Up Market is an opportunity for them to experience the power of entrepreneurship, while reinforcing the values of teamwork, communication, and resilience. Jennifer Verme Youth Entrepreneur Pop Up Market https://www.fortheculturehomeschool.com/pop-up-market United States San Antonio, TX https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sanantonio tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/323958 2025-02-18T00:00:00Z 2025-02-19T20:34:11Z Project Visitation (PV) was created by the State of Hawaii First Circuit Family Court and the Hawaii State Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide monthly visits and quarterly events for sibling groups separated by the foster care system. The purpose of this program is for siblings to maintain relationships between brother(s) and sister(s) living in separate foster homes. Depending on the size of sibling group, a family of six can be separated into two, three, or more homes. Losing contact with one another can place even more of a strain in this traumatic process of finding a forever-family when they are unable to see their siblings. PV seeks to minimize the trauma of family separation by preserving sibling relationships through regularly scheduled visits that they can look forward to every month. By bringing siblings together in a fun and safe environment, Project Visitation utilizes volunteers to give children the opportunity to create family memories they otherwise would not have. Resource caregivers (RCGs or Foster Parents) are not always able to schedule with other RCG's in order to keep these bonds connected between the sibling groups, so Family Programs Hawaii has made this a high-priority and PV is one of our flagship programs. The outings together teach keiki the importance of maintaining healthy sibling relationships and seeks to minimize the trauma of family separation through these scheduled visits. Once a month, our volunteers drive from all corners of the island to pick them up and host fun outings that provide vital bonding opportunities for the brothers and sisters. A meeting place is arranged at a park, playground, the beach, or simply at a place to grab a bite to eat and just catch up for a couple of hours. In addition, PV also coordinates quarterly events, with the support of our community business leaders who host a day at the Zoo, or going bowling, ice skating, or creating memories with each other working in a lo'i patch. Tina Scotty Keeping Siblings Connected is AWESOME! https://familyprogramshawaii.org/program/project-visitation/ United States Oahu, HI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/oahu tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/330199 2025-02-17T00:00:00Z 2025-11-29T22:23:39Z At Fall Kill, we believe in the power of making. Our programs encourage the confidence and tenacity to imagine, attempt, fail, and try again. We offer craft-based workshops and classes in ceramics, printmaking, and fiber arts, along with open studio access, visiting artist lectures, demonstrations, and a free summer Teen & Family Clay Program. Led by a diverse community of instructors and makers, our studio is a welcoming space where everyone—regardless of financial background—can experience the joy of creativity. Located on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, our studios are deeply embedded in a historically diverse and economically underserved area. The City of Poughkeepsie is home to a population that is 36.8% Black or African American, 16.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 49.6% White, with many residents facing financial barriers to arts access. Our central location allows us to serve not only Poughkeepsie residents but also individuals from rural communities throughout the Mid-Hudson region who have limited access to arts education opportunities. By providing tuition assistance, community outreach, and an inclusive, welcoming space, we strive to ensure that financial and geographic barriers do not prevent creative exploration. With your financial support we can continue to expand our reach through our Tuition Assistance program. Our subsidized programming works to remove the financial barrier between aspiring artists and studio access, and deepens our community impact. In 2024 we ... -Hosted 46 classes serving more than 300 students from the mid-Hudson Valley region -Awarded $5,913 in Tuition Assistance to 31 students, offering both partial and fully subsidized tuition for students new and returning trying new or expanding their knowledge and experiences. -Reached 176 participants through Teen and Family programs -Grew our team to 24 work-study artists who contribute to the daily operations of our studio while learning together Molly Markow Tuition Assistance Support http://www.fallkillcreativeworks.org United States Poughkeepsie, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/poughkeepsie tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/322063 2025-02-17T00:00:00Z 2025-03-17T20:18:33Z Live from the Parking Pad is a community-focused, site-specific gig: the concert takes place on a two-car parking pad in a yard that is the perfect stage. Dormont neighbors also show their support for these well-produced concerts with a community potluck and party. Artists are paid a guaranteed rate and fans support by paying for tickets and bringing food to share. It is community created through music. Stefan Flower Live from the Parking Pad http://theparkingpad.com United States Pittsburgh, PA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/pittsburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/315511 2025-02-15T00:00:00Z 2025-03-08T15:33:04Z My Project "Through The Lens: Celebrating Cass Clay's Diversity" uses photography to showcase Cas Clay's diverse cultures and share the unique experiences and cultural backgrounds of Cass Clay area. I feel that the Cass Clay area is a very diverse area, yet individuals from many communities still feel isolated, underrepresented or seen in this community. Through my connections in the Cass Clay community, I will plan to be more involved by attending different cultural events and celebrations. My attendance of these events and celebrations, I will use my camera to capture the unique stories and experiences of the diverse communities in Cass Clay area. I plan to host a public exhibition in the Cass Clay area at the end of each month to share these images that reflect the richn ess of this community. Through these public exhibition's my goal is to celebrate diversity and to make sure that individuals from different cultural communities in this area feel valued, seen, and included regardless of their background. This project will benefit the Cass Clay communities and indivuals by creating a sense of empathy and understanding within our community. Dalya Breem Through the lens: Celebrating Cas Clay's Diversity United States Cass Clay https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/cassclay tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/322756 2025-02-15T00:00:00Z 2025-02-15T19:08:55Z The Stich and Style program was created to empower youth in grades 4-12 to discover their creativity and develop essential life skills through the art of sewing. Our mission is to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where young individuals can learn the fundamentals of sewing, enhance their fine motor skills, and foster independence while pursuing their passions. We are dedicated to nurturing a vibrant community that encourages personal growth, creativity, and collaboration, ensuring that every participant leaves with the confidence to chase their dreams and make a positive impact. Kedaer Parks Youth Sewing Program https://charliafrankinc.org United States Poughkeepsie, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/poughkeepsie tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/324885 2025-02-13T00:00:00Z 2025-03-04T03:48:43Z We are pleased to award MORE our second February grant. Their services include English classes for immigrants and refugees. According to Executive Director Jane Rydholm, "MORE is a non-profit that serves the immigrant and refugee community in St. Paul by providing free English classes, workplace literacy, and critical support such as food, clothing, and household items. Our holistic approach ensures that students and clients not only access education but also receive the resources they need to thrive in their new communities. By addressing both educational and basic needs, MORE empowers individuals and strengthens the community. We are seeking $1,000 to enhance the safety, comfort, and efficiency of our services." Jane Rydholm Empowering Futures http://www.more-empowerment.org United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/326180 2025-02-13T00:00:00Z 2025-03-04T03:48:23Z Congratulations to our February grantee for his work is bringing our community together, and for inspiring our youth to focus on positivity. We're looking forward to your basketball tournament Khadar! Khadar describes his project as "All I would like to do is change what’s going on in our community, and help bring back positivity so the children have something to look forward to. But first we must continue to heal as a village because our children need our guidance to help lead others in the right direction because nobody can do it alone. To do that, we must come together and make that vision a reality! This year’s theme is: Uplifting our youths." Saturday May17th, 2025 11:30am- 4:30pm 2 speakers, 3 Basketball Games Youth Game Community Game Youth Vs Saint Paul police Sunday May 18th, 2025 Noon-5pm 3 presentations 3 speakers Youth entrepreneur venues Announcing the top 3 youth entrepreneurs Thank you for your support Khadar Greer 612-423-0071 Khadar Greer 3rd Annual “ Stop the Violence Basketball” Event http://Itsyoboykhadar.com United States St. Paul, MN https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/stpaul tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/323286 2025-02-12T00:00:00Z 2025-02-13T15:57:06Z Remember silent sustained reading in school? A coveted time to simply focus on reading without any distraction or worry in the world? So many of us crave for it, but can’t find the place or time to sit down and read anymore without feeling some sort of productivity guilt over it. That is why we are incredibly excited to launch Silent Sustained Reading (SSR), our newest monthly program at Dzanc House, where folks can lounge about as they happily read their favorite novel, collection of poetry etc and be in community with fellow bookworms—all guilt-free! It is the perfect, relaxing, welcoming and safe space to hang out, have some tea, and flip through the pages of a good book. We are approaching your wonderful foundation because we would love to make SSR an annual and accessible program for all peoples and ages. Our project involves: 1Building an in-house library of curated books for young readers as well as adult titles. Presently, we ask folks to bring their reading material to the house, but we understand this may not be attainable or convenient for some. We will offer a curated collection of our favorite titles for young people (e.g. works by Ada Limon, Ross Gay, Jericho Brown, + more), and encourage the sharing, exchanging, and borrowing of books as well. 2Creating a Reading Club for youth, which will operate as an extension of our SSR program and run for a full year! We will not only invite in-house writers and artists to read alongside our youth but also provide participants with a curated collection of poetry, including visits from authors who can come in for a reading session themselves! By situating a community library inside our home and offering a literacy program that promotes connection, engagement, and exploration with the literary arts, we hope to inspire a lifelong love of reading, writing, and endless imagining and remind folks and youth of the incredible power that comes with focusing and growing one's own creative and critical thinking skills. Paola Ortega Silent Sustained Reading for all Peoples and Ages https://dzanchouse.squarespace.com/ United States Ann Arbor, MI https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ann-arbor tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/323451 2025-02-12T00:00:00Z 2025-02-14T21:31:53Z In May 2025, the Historical Society of Carroll County will host a free program at the Carroll Arts Center honoring the opening of its Mary Shellman: Civil War to Suffrage exhibit. The event will be an evening of song and poetry written by Mary Bostwick Shellman, a poet, artist, and suffragist who lived in Westminster, MD, from 1840-1920. Reenactor Darci Tucker from Colonial Williamsburg will portray Mary Shellman at the event. Musicians will perform three songs lyricized by Mary B. Shellman. The music will be interspersed with local students and women leaders reading her poetry. By having female performers front and center at the event, we will be reminded of Mary Shellman’s commitment to civic engagement and female leadership at a time when women being on the public stage or taking ownership of their own creative or civic work was discouraged or even outright banned. The musicians are local Maryland artists, including students at the Peabody Institute, led by Jacquelyn Slade from Carroll County. A passionate activist, composer, and jazz musician, Jacquelyn Slade works to empower others through political advocacy and musical performance. HSCC, the musicians, the poetry readers and the community are excited to bring the story of Mary B. Shellman—a Maryland suffragist, renaissance woman, and celebrated historical figure from Westminster, Maryland—to the stage. Through performances of musical pieces featuring Shellman’s original lyrics, we aim to connect the local community with her legacy in a deeply meaningful way. By blending music and poetry, we will highlight Shellman’s contributions, using the universal language of music to make her story accessible and inspiring. This program offers an opportunity for audiences who may not be familiar with Carroll County’s rich history to experience it through Shellman’s own words and melodies. Jason Illari "An Evening with Mary Shellman..." http://hsccmd.org United States Westminster, MD https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/westminster tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/324600 2025-02-11T00:00:00Z 2026-01-24T16:31:58Z Met de paplepel ingegoten, dit is nog een concept naam. Dit project vormt mijn afstudeerproject aan de HKU Kunst en Economie. Het richt zich op het delen van de recepten en persoonlijke verhalen van ouderen, met als doel jongeren te bereiken en inspireren via social media. In samenwerking met Daniel Lansbergen wil ik deze recepten en verhalen toegankelijk maken voor een breder publiek door middel van een Instagram-account. Elke maand staat één oudere centraal, die gedurende die periode zijn of haar recepten en verhalen met ons deelt. Dit gebeurt aan de hand van kookvideo’s, waarin Daniel Lansbergen als host de recepten van de ouderen leert en bereidt. Naast ongeveer twee tot drie kookvideo’s per maand zal storytelling rondom het leven van de oudere een belangrijk onderdeel vormen. Hiermee willen we niet alleen mensen bereiken die geïnteresseerd zijn in eten, maar ook degenen die zich aangetrokken voelen tot de unieke levensverhalen van deze ouderen. De content van elke maand zal bestaan uit posts en video's over zowel de recepten als de verhalen en culturele achtergrond van de oudere. Dit wordt gepresenteerd op een documentaire-achtige manier, om diepgang en authenticiteit te bieden. Als afsluiting van elke contentmaand organiseren we een thema-avond in restaurant Venster in Leidsche Rijn. Tijdens deze avond zal Daniel Lansbergen de recepten van de oudere bereiden en presenteren aan familie, vrienden en andere geïnteresseerden. Daarnaast worden er kleine receptenboekjes uitgedeeld als blijvende herinnering aan de avond en de gedeelde verhalen. Dit is hoe wij het project momenteel voor ons zien. We zijn nog volop bezig met de opstartfase en verdere uitwerking ervan. Wies Langeveld Met de paplepel ingegoten Netherlands Utrecht https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/utrecht tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/313308 2025-02-11T00:00:00Z 2025-02-12T02:40:05Z January’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Jenn Hayward to support a week-long initiative of gratitude and artistic expression. “Ottawa residents will be invited to share stories and shout-outs about fellow citizens who have supported them during challenging times,” explains Jenn. “These collected messages will then be curated and transformed into a visual art piece or a series of art installations,” she continues, “which will serve as a tangible representation of the city's collective gratitude and resilience.” “The project will showcase the city's compassionate spirit through real-life stories of support and kindness,” says Jenn, “and the resulting artwork will stand as a testament to the strong bonds within the Ottawa community.” Jenn is a Métis comedian and storyteller. “I wrote for CBC for 8 years,” she says, “worked in the prison system for 8 years (but escaped), and ran a million-dollar business... into the ground. During COVID, I scaled a courier business so quickly it had nowhere to go but down. Now, after bankruptcy, I do consultancy work with businesses and non-profits on reconciliation planning.” Jenn Hayward Artistic Gratitude Ottawa Canada Ottawa https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ottawa tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/315158 2025-02-11T00:00:00Z 2025-09-29T19:07:06Z Ipswich’s FIRST® Robotics team belongs to New England FIRST®. Our team is made up of high school students who contribute their skills to different subcommittees, and come together to make the team what we are. Students of all skill levels, gender identities, and racial/ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to join the team and experience hands-on STEM education. We’re proud to be a “white-glove” team, meaning that our adult mentors are completely hands-off. We’re looking forward to the upcoming 2024-25 season, which will be starting this January. Our team will gather together to design and build a robot that fits competition guidelines. We will begin to compete around six weeks after that. Ipswich FIRST robotics team 5459 Ipswich First Robotics Team http://www.ipswichfirst5459.com United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/323802 2025-02-11T00:00:00Z 2025-02-26T23:41:35Z Our project would be a first-of-its kind support group for San Francisco County parents of incarcerated children. It's not fun or witty, but is an urgent issue and one that creates community cohesion. Having a child incarcerated can be a distressing, lonely experience. Parents typically have had no previous experience in the criminal justice system, which has separated their child from their loved ones and detained them in a severe, grim setting. A language barrier contributes to a further sense of confusion and uncertainty. Our bilingual parent support group educates parents with a parenting curriculum, increases their ability to advocate for their child, and prepares them for challenges they will face upon their child’s return. Active participation of parents in the rehabilitation process of incarcerated youth is associated with improved outcomes and reduced likelihood of their child reoffending. Melissa Wilson Support Group for Parents of Incarcerated Children United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/324066 2025-02-11T00:00:00Z 2025-02-13T05:10:55Z I utilize red wigglers worms (Eisenia fetida) to eat cardboard, manure and food waste. I convert the waste into the worms castings, aka Black Gold. I use the worm castings to create organic fertilizer and worm tea. I also create compost soil from wood chips and green waste. I am able to create farms, community gardens and and school gardens for urban and suburban use. I want to aid in helping all create soil, grow healthy food and divert as much waste from landfills to feed worms and soil. Antuan Jackson Healthy Soil and Waste Management http://N/a United States San Francisco, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/sf tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/324122 2025-02-11T00:00:00Z 2025-09-29T18:13:22Z Ipswich DECA is a new club in the high school that focuses on teaching kids interested in careers in business and finance the skills they need to succeed, including leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence as well as the fundamentals of marketing, management, entreprenuership, personal finance and more! A big part of DECA is the creation of a school store. Ipswich has not had a school store for many years. This store will be run like a business, with a business plan, cash management, marketing strategy and other essential aspects of a successful business. Unfortunately, there is a significant space issue at the school so we do not have anywhere to host the store. Administration has given us approval to build a mobile school store cart that we can leave in a public area and move around during different times before, during, and after school to maximize sales. This cart would need to be big enough to hold our inventory, designed to display it for sale, light enough for the kids to move it around as needed, and lockable to keep the inventory safe. Tammy Kayata Ipswich School Store Cart United States Ipswich, MA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/ipswich tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/327403 2025-02-09T00:00:00Z 2025-02-14T17:47:00Z Newburgh Yoga Shala is entering a new chapter. I, Bibi Lorenzetti, am buying out my business partner to ensure this shala and the seed I planted in 2018 when I started it in my garage, can continue to grow and flourish in the Hudson Valley region that is my home and community. Once the buy out is complete the Shala will enter a new chapter where community engagement lies at the center of it's 'business plan'. Recruiting like minded people not only to practice, but to engage in our community in a way that benefits all. Yoga is not just Asana, yoga is how we extend our hearts and mindfulness into all aspects of life. If I am selected for this grant, the funds will cover the cost of establishing and paying for electricity for a community fridge and pantry on the corner of South Street and Grand Street. I will be collaborating with Fairground for the set up of the fridge and with The Ellis Newburgh for the location host. Our Shala community will work in conjunction with Fairground to take care of the fridge and pantry. I am very excited about what the partnerships this community fridge and pantry will bring to the Shala. An example is our friends at Little Learning Loft, who are excited to partake, as a means to include our children in the task of taking care of those who have less then us. I envision a future where the power lies in the value of community that this shala has created and sustains. We make the community together. Beatrice Lorenzetti Community Fridge & Pantry for Newburgh https://www.newburghyogashala.com/community-engagement United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/314920 2025-02-09T00:00:00Z 2025-02-09T19:28:27Z Our aim is to aid underserved communities throughout the world that lack proper access to electricity by providing them with renewable solar energy solutions. For our first project, we have embarked on a journey to provide students in Africa with our self-engineered solar lanterns. Over the summer, we developed a solar lantern model that charges during the day under the light of the sun, and illuminates a bright LED during the night. We partnered with the Angaza Center, a larger nonprofit that assists students in Africa, to distribute our solar lanterns to schools in countries such as Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We want to use our lights to promote green energy on a local scale because we believe that before change can start on a national scale, it needs to start with the individual. Additionally, by helping students with their education, we want to empower people from disenfranchised communities to create a place for themselves in our increasingly technological world. Ethan Base Solar Reach Initiative http://solarreach.org Worldwide Conservation and Climate https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/conservationandclimate tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/326763 2025-02-09T00:00:00Z 2025-02-12T17:13:58Z Hometown Homeless is a collaborative documentary project based in Santa Cruz California. The film itself is the culmination of six years of work that I have done within the encampments in Santa Cruz. This work started in the city sanctioned Benchlands encampment as an interview and portrait project that was geared towards highlighting community driven solutions. As this work progressed it turned into a very short documentary that explored the meaning of home. This short then inspired my current documentary and laid the foundation for the relationships and deep admiration I have for the current participants of my documentary Hometown Homeless. The money from this grant will be used to fund the post production of this film. I will put it directly towards sound mixing and coloring the film which are two very important components of post production.This money would allow the film to be completed and ready to screen locally so that it can perpetuate positive change within our community. Maleah Welsh Hometown Homeless https://maleahrosemedia.wixsite.com/website/current-film United States Santa Cruz, CA https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/santacruz tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/326810 2025-02-09T00:00:00Z 2025-02-09T22:38:03Z Our project, Family Preparedness Clinics, will provide immigrant families in Newburgh with free legal resources and assistance to ensure they are prepared for emergencies. Many families in our community face uncertainty due to immigration status, legal challenges, or unexpected life events. These clinics will help them create essential legal documents such as power of attorney, caregiver affidavits, and emergency plans to protect their children and loved ones. Through these clinics, families will receive guidance from trained professionals, notarized documents, and clear action plans so they can make informed decisions about their future. Language barriers often prevent families from accessing these resources, so we will also provide interpretation and translation services to ensure accessibility for all. Funding from the Awesome Foundation- Newburgh chapter will help us cover printing materials, notarization fees, outreach efforts, and interpretation services, allowing us to serve more families in need. By supporting this project, you will help immigrant families in Newburgh gain peace of mind and security, knowing they have a plan in place to protect their children and assets in times of crisis. This project is about empowerment, stability, and community support. Together, we can ensure that every family in Newburgh has access to the tools they need to thrive and remain united, no matter what challenges arise. Wendy Mejia Ochoa Family Preparedness Clinic United States Newburgh, NY https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newburgh tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/321324 2025-02-05T00:00:00Z 2025-02-25T21:51:25Z As editor of Paper Chained magazine, an art and writing magazine for people in prison, I regularly receive artworks from people in custody both in Australia and abroad. In May 2024, I organised Australia's first ever international prison art exhibition. Held at Long Bay Correctional Centre in Sydney, the exhibition featured over 100 artworks from 25 prisons in 8 different countries. It was opened by the Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley, and received coverage on the ABC Arts Show and in The Saturday Paper. I continue to collect prison art, and in late 2024 I was able to receive artworks that were smuggled out of Ofer prison, a prison in Israel that illegally detains Palestinian people without charge. Prisoners there are not permitted to make art, hence why it must be smuggled out. After speaking with formerly incarcerated Palestinian artists currently in Gaza, I now wish to put on an art exhibition exclusively showing the works of Palestinians held in custody. The exhibition will be featured in Newcastle. Paper Chained published an interview with one of the Palestinian artists I intend to feature in the exhibition in the December 2024 issue of the magazine; I am attaching images of that interview. In September 2024 I gave a talk about the issues facing the artists at The Creator Incubator, which sold out to capacity of about 80 tickets. There is already an established audience and interest in the project, which I hope to build upon with the grant from Awesome Newcastle. Damien Linnane Palestine prison art exhibition Australia Newcastle https://www.awesomefoundation.org/pt/chapters/newcastle