Awesome Foundation - Projects

Miami, FL – PhotoMetro

2013-07-30T00:00:00Z

PHOTOMETRO. Public transit should be a welcoming experience that helps people learn about and explore Miami. PhotoMetro is a public art competition and exhibition designed to help make that possible. It will highlight the awesome places, beautiful spaces and experiences located around the stops on Miami-Dade’s MetroRail. HOW IT WILL WORK. We’ll start the project by launching a public art contest focused on capturing beauty in the areas around MetroRail—nearby places, interesting views, the stations and system itself. Any artist using any publicly displayable medium can enter. Through an outreach campaign and website, we’ll ask the public to vote on their favorite entries. The winning entries will be shown in a public exhibition at the end of the contest, and (pending the relevant authorities’ participation) around the MetroRail system. WHY WE LIKE THIS IDEA. It’s frighteningly easy for riding public transit to become a monotonous experience—particularly when it’s part of your routine—and the lackluster design of most transit systems doens’t help. But MetroRail takes tens of thousands of Miamians past an array of truly awesome places on a daily basis. We should be reminded of that, always; we should appreciate and make use of the diversity of experiences available on a single local train. A public art project allows us to reach at that goal through an open creative process anyone can join. RISKS & CHALLENGES. For this project to be its most awesome self, we need the goodwill of the relevant authorities managing the MetroRail (or MetroMover) system. We’re already working on that, and are optimistic, but we can still produce a fantastic project even if we can’t display the winning entries on the system itself. WHY WE CAN GET IT DONE. Our team has a diverse background in the skills we’ll need to complete this project, from event logistics to art to managing contests. We’ll also have the support of the larger WhereBy.Us membership.

Cincinnati, OH (Inativo) – Dining With Dots

2013-07-30T00:00:00Z

People who are blind or visually impaired have a difficult time getting around, not to mention finding buildings, businesses or street crossings that meet their accessibility specifications. They also may have a difficult time accessing books, newspapers, magazines, maps, signage, restaurant menus, and other materials that cater to their vision needs. My project will address the combination of both of those necessities while utilizing the resources that are made available to me as an intern at Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Clovernook Center has been a braille printing powerhouse for over 100 years and distributes braille materials all over the world. From printing books and magazines commissioned by the National Library Service to producing menus of local restaurants such as La Rosa’s and Montgomery Inn, Clovernook Center and its employees work hard to circulate braille and large print materials both locally and across the globe. Dining with Dots will collect menus from ten of the most popular restaurants throughout the Greater Cincinnati area and print them in braille to be shared and used when blind and visually impaired patrons dine at their establishments. There are over 30,000 people in the Greater Cincinnati area who are blind or who have a visual impairment, and by providing menus to these great local restaurants, we will open up doors to those who have previously been unable to frequent these eateries. The purpose of this project is twofold: first, to spread awareness across Greater Cincinnati of the various accessibility needs that must be met for our blind or visually impaired neighbors. Second, to foster a partnership between local restaurants and Clovernook Center, as well as with Awesome Foundation, to share knowledge and mindfulness of disability awareness across the Greater Cincinnati region.

Ottawa – Firefly

2013-07-29T00:00:00Z

July's Awesome Ottawa award goes to Mark Stephenson, Michael Grant, and Darcy White, to support the development of a social game they are calling "Firefly." Participants will wear an interactive pendant the three are designing, and navigate through various locations at this year's Nuit Blanche, as well as other local events. "Collectively, the participants become the visual expression of the work of art," explains Mark. "Their patterns of movement and social interaction create a spectacle of light and data." Participants will need to keep the fireflies healthy, while "unlocking" patterns and colours, Mark continues. "Fireflies are social. Don’t let them get lonely and sick. And pendants remember the other fireflies they meet, so participants can find out afterward how social a firefly they were." Mark, Michael, and Darcy together have backgrounds in art, design, technology, the web, and engineering, as well as a shared interest in making and hacking with technology and a fascination in social interactions. The pendants will be built on the Arduino platform, so that after the event they can be repurposed and hacked, and the technology and software will be released to the open source community. Mark, Michael, and Darcy also intend to organize community events to help build the pendants and share skills.

Awesome Without Borders (Inativo) – Ethiopia’s AIDS Education Circus

2013-07-29T00:00:00Z

Action for Youth and Community Change (AYCC) isn’t just a project, it’s a community! In 1998 children in Awassa, Ethiopia began to practice circus, drawing audiences into spectacular worlds. The reality of their daily lives was sobering: many were hungry and unable to afford an education. Some had lost family members to AIDS or Ethiopia’s turbulent history. Years pass, our reputation grows. Muscles strengthen with daredevil stunts, circus toys fade with use. In 2002 we created our first performance promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. It was a topic close to many hearts and performed with uncommon insight, creativity and skill. AIDS Education Circus was born. Touring as One Love, we spread awareness across Ethiopia bringing a unique perspective to life-saving messages with works on topics as diverse and challenging as FGM, land mines and addiction. Our skills are recognized by impressive numbers of NGOs and IGOs.

London, ON (Inativo) – Rolling Up Fun

2013-07-23T00:00:00Z

Katamari Damacy is a cult-favourite videogame from 2004. The game challenges players to roll around a magical ball called a Katamari. Everything the ball rolls over sticks to it, and as you play it grows bigger and bigger like a snowball. With crazy music, a unique art style, and quirky humour, the game is my all-time favourite. I want to share it with people in a fun and accessible way. The craziest, most awesome way I could think of to get people involved in the game was to let them actually roll around a big ball. With some research, ingenuity and lots of help from smart people, I designed the world’s first life-size Katamari controller. The controller would use a yoga ball mounted on industrial casters. With some electronic wizardry, optical mice would replace the game’s control sticks. In June, we debuted a rough prototype of the Katamari at Nuit Blanche and people’s reaction was amazing. Giant grins came over their faces as they discovered the joy of rolling around a big ball of fun. The project was picked up by dozens of websites around the world, and our YouTube video has over 100,000 views. It was touch and go to get this test version working in time, but even so it proved to incredibly intuitive and a ton of fun. I want to make the Katamari fully functional and share this fun with more people at events around London. Although our test proved the controller can work, it needs some serious help to be awesome enough to take to future events. The prototype controller is clunky, buggy and difficult to set up and tear down. We have collected feedback from people who tried it at Nuit Blanche, and from the hundreds of comments posted online. We have solid plans to make the device more responsive, reliable and portable. My goal is to have a complete Katamari to debut in September at Project Play (a charity gaming festival), and to take it to other London events like DIGG, Grickle Grass, etc. Everyone should have a chance to roll a Katamari!

Boulder, CO (Inativo) – LaunchUR Ignite

2013-07-23T00:00:00Z

Emily Friedberg, whom I worked with at GIVEO, encouraged me to apply. LaunchUR Ignite™ is a new, unique online community dedicated to teens where they can find: 1. new youth venture resources, links, videos and job readiness tips 2. share their business profile with their friends and family (Fb, Tw, etc), 3. connect and learn from other like minded, teen-preneurs throughout the US 4. apply for micro-grants up to $250 to start their business ventures But every grantee must pay their award "forward" not back - by volunteering their time or donating their business product/service in their community! LaunchUR Ignite™ celebrates teen-preneurs - their dreams, their potential, their experience, whether they succeed or fail ... and try again! No one else in the US is currently offering this community to aspiring teen-preneurs! Too many of our teens today are not getting a real-world entrepreneur experience that is essential to build 21st century and job-readiness skills! At best, they have had to sit through a boring Junior Achievement course taught by an adult. Some might be lucky enough to be involved in a business after school club like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) or summer camp like Biz Girls Camp or YWCA that help teens build business plans ... but very few among them get funded to launch their business idea. High school teachers, camp counselors and after school program managers are also looking for experiential learning opportunities like LaunchUR Ignite™ that are peer-driven and social media oriented for teens they support. Our platform also gives these educators a valuable learning resource that is NOT burdensome, overwhelming and time consuming to use.

Calgary, AB (Inativo) – Bikes for Needy Kids

2013-07-23T00:00:00Z

The Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance will be holding our 4th Annual Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day at the newly announced Fish Creek Mountain Bike Skills Park in late August. This will be the grand opening of the park and will prove to be the biggest event to date. Through a partnership with Spawn Cycles, a local Calgary company that builds quality children's bikes, we will have test bikes on site for kids that do not have one and will be able to purchase up to four bikes for very deserving kids. The $1,000 will go towards the purchase of four or more children's bikes, at wholesale cost, from Spawn Cycles. The winners of the bikes will be chosen from kids who come to the event who are clearly in need of a new bike because of size, quality or finances. We really want to the winners to be surprised, not enter a draw to win one whether they need it or not.

Awesome Without Borders (Inativo) – Permaculture Learning Garden Food Identification

2013-07-22T00:00:00Z

We have developed a permaculture learning garden in Las Vegas, the first of its kind. Using permaculture design, we shaped a 5300 sq ft space to accept and retain any rainfall we get in our arid region, forming sunken growing beds and swales. We've used organic matter and nitrogen-fixing plants to improve the soil on site instead of importing more. We redirect chipped christmas trees to our site for mulch and collect coffee grounds and food scraps from the community to make compost. The plants we selected for our site are all food producing and/or serve mutliple purpose within the ecosystem we are creating. For example, we planted mesquite trees because they add nitrogen to the soil, give dappled shade and produce many pods that can be ground into a protein-rich flour. The fruit and nut trees we planted take very little water and love the heat (very important in our desert climate), like most of our plants. Many plants serve multiple purposes and are either perennial or easily self-seeded. This design has allowed us to spend most of our time harvesting instead of continually planting annual seeds. We've reused or recycled materials to build potting benches and seats from pallets, a shade structure from wooden trellising and palm fronds, as well as cob benches made from sand, clay and straw. We educate our dryland community about sustainable living by holding weekly workshops at the garden and leading tours. Our Mesquite Pancake Breakfast in October highlights food grown at our garden. We will be hosting Brad Lancaster in a few weeks for a discussion on water harvesting as well as many guests in the fall for alternative building workshops. We share our food, seeds and knowledge to build a stronger, healthier community.

Connecticut – Engineering Students Making a Difference

2013-07-22T00:00:00Z

Central Connecticut State University students have partnered with a nonprofit agency to benefit the disadvantaged and disabled. Working with Chariots of Hope, a nonprofit located in Bloomfield, students from Michele Dischino’s Introduction to Engineering course have refurbished wheelchairs that are being donated to individuals who have no means of obtaining them. Students used their problem-solving skills to repair the wheelchairs, which were no longer being used and were in disrepair. “Each wheelchair was different,” said Dischino. “The students had to figure out what needed to be done to make each chair functional. Some chairs had missing parts, and all of them needed cleaning and general refurbishment. It was a problem-solving project in a socially meaningful and hands-on way.” Using their engineering skills, along with some parts from other unused wheelchairs, the students successfully completed the challenge and presented their projects to Paul Bobbitt, a Chariots of Hope board member, who then transported the refurbished chairs back to the Bloomfield facility for distribution. “I've always been one to help out people in need, and this is such a good cause,” said CCSU student Michaela Melillo, who participated in the project. “Life is so hard for people without mobility, and it’s satisfying knowing how much of a difference these wheelchairs will make for them.” Chariots of Hope estimates that there are 18 million bedridden people worldwide. Wheelchairs are a luxury in some poor countries, yet countless sit idle in the U.S. “Our mission is to provide mobility to disadvantaged persons, so they can have a better quality of life and participate in community activities and services,” Bobbitt said. “Our thanks to these CCSU students for their support. “We have been in this recycling activity for 12 years,” he added, “knowing that each chair has two lives - the person it served and the one it goes to help.”

LA South Bay, CA (Inativo) – The Donuts

2013-07-20T00:00:00Z

What started off as an endeavor to keep our UC Irvine community connected, The Donuts has slowly grown into a grassroots movement of mobilizing our generation to raise awareness, spark meaningful dialogue, and participate in impactful work. We first began building the community through monthly art & music events, in which local members and friends of friends would showcase their creativity. From photographers to DJs, dancers to comedians, The Donuts hosted Jelly-Filled Fridays to provide a platform for the community to support one another's passions and aspirations. Through these events we were able to raise about $4,000; funds we've been using towards executing various social & community initiatives like our Thanksgiving Homeless Drive in Long Beach, picnic at the park, booth at the Brewery Artwalk in LA, and most recent Skid Row Homeless Water Drive. Through these types of "get-togethers", we've been hoping to inspire our community and network to serve the needs of those less-fortunate, believe in a greater purpose, and live empowered lives.

LA South Bay, CA (Inativo) – Operation Orphanage Paradigm Shift

2013-07-20T00:00:00Z

I have a crazy talented muralist and a budding documentary filmmaker and we want to make a beautiful mural on a big wall in the neighborhood of one of the ten orphanages in Tijuana that Corazon de Vida supports. We want to get the community involved, we want the kids at the orphanage to get involved, we want to transform the image of the orphanage into something to be proud of, we want the community to see it and be proud of it. Because now, orphanages are stigmatized, many people look down on the kids or look away. We want the kids to be represented as angels, forged through adversity, testaments to the resiliency and beauty of the human condition, these kids are transforming suffering into joy daily, their battle lies within. We want to alleviate some of the battle outside. We want to introduce the children into the neighborhood as a lasting and vital piece of the community, country, and world. We will be documenting it and then promoting it as a story to garner fundraising attention for the orphanage!

Vancouver, BC (Inativo) – MakerMobile does Arduinos!

2013-07-19T00:00:00Z

MakerMobile is a literally a 'Workshop on Wheels' which means it is not limited to a specific neighbourhood or population. With the high cost of commercial space in Vancouver, a mobile classroom allows information to reach a larger audience. The MakerMobile challenges what a classroom or learning environment can look like & seeks to demonstrate to young people the idea that if you imagine it, you can make it! MakerMobile is a partner with Vancouver Hackspace & Vancouver Maker Foundation. Part of our partnerships with Vancouver Maker Foundation, involves hosting bi-monthly "Maker Education Initiative" meetups@ Mozilla. These meetups connect parents, PAC leaders, curriculum developers, Artists, Librarians and Teachers with one another and provide a space to brainstorm new ideas and future projects in order to grow our local Maker community and put Vancouver on the map as a ‘maker mecca’. The Maker Mobile team has been invited to present at the BCLA Librarians conference, has hosted two workshops at the Vancouver Hackspace (VHS), is currently running an activity tent using Squishy Circuits to teach kids about electricity at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival & are hosting a fundraiser at Vancouver Mini Maker Faire this June. Additionally, we have received expressions of interest in our teaching model & curriculum from local libraries (Surrey and Central branch), PACs and homeschooling networks. So far, the MakerMobile truck itself has been donated & the entire conversion of the truck to date has been accomplished without loans, grants or seed money. All materials have been supplied by participants & generous donations from friends & local businesses. Although the space is modest, we are currently able to begin teaching basic courses in specific areas.

Kingston – Food Cents Cook books

2013-07-18T00:00:00Z

Our team discovered through a survey at one of our local food banks that patrons often ended up giving away components of their food hampers or not using the items because they did not know how to cook or use the food given to them. Our solution was simple; we would design a cookbook to better help them with this discouraging issue. We recruited the help of a local Journeyman Chef with over 35 years experience to assist with the compilation of this very important book. The design idea behind this cookbook is to incorporate the typical contents of the food hampers and form them into nutritious and tasty meals that anyone would love, including children. According to Food banks Canada, there has been a 30.6% increase in usage of community food banks Canada-wide from 2008-2012. Last year alone, 851,014 people accessed their local food banks for assistance, with an alarming 38% of those being children (Hunger Count, 2012). Our mission is to help make the hamper recipient’s and their families lives a little easier through the design of this version of the cookbook.

Kitchener-Waterloo – Little Libraries of KW

2013-07-17T00:00:00Z

Our awesome project is awesome! Wouldn't it be cool to have little libraries all over town? I'm talking about box about the size of a large birdhouse, on a post, on your front lawn, filled with books that people walking by can browse and take. The idea comes from the folks at littlefreelibrary.org in the US, and I've taken it on to champion the idea locally. Our website and Facebook page have been brimming with excitement. Brimming! We also got a great writeup in the Community Cord, just today: http://www.community.thecord.ca/10ideas/ Our goal, as an organization, is to make Little Libraries accessible to anyone who wants one: that means having inexpensive, easy-to-assemble kits; a community of people who can act as information and motivational resources, and a website to pull together all of this. To that end, a local craftsman has created two box designs with plans, and a local renovation firm has offered to sponsor some of the cost of materials. They've even agreed to cut/drill the wood, so that all you'll need is a screwdriver... how cool is that? Other info that we're pulling together includes stuff like "how do I dig a post hole?" and "whom do I need to call before digging"... all the nitty-gritty that gets overlooked in a project like this. We are looking at scheduling a build date in mid-June... exciting times! Even if everything were subsidized financially, there is still a large sweat-equity component, but the financial hurdles are real for many folks. As well, many people don't have the time or skill to build a Little Library: if we can offer pre-assembled Libraries to people, even at some cost, it will put local builders to work, and spur adoption of the project. A lot more background info including our motivations is available at our website, especially at this page: http://llkw.ca/about/ (If you would prefer me to copy/paste it, I'm happy to do so.) The building plans are also on the site: http://llkw.ca/building

Kitchener-Waterloo – From The Kitchen - A People's Publication

2013-07-17T00:00:00Z

My friend and I worked at The Working Centre downtown for a while. Over the last few years while living and working downtown, we were both meeting people from all across the board that either were writing or drawing in some capacity, and did not feel that they could or should share their creations; or wanted to be creative and felt inadequate; or simply were not able to logistically. Eric (my friend) and I feel that these expressions are not only important for individuals to process creatively for their own sake, but are vital to a democratic society where voices and life-journeys sound and look different. Many of the voices we were hearing came from backgrounds often overlooked in the dominant political arena - whether youth living on the street, single mothers, or dumpster-diving doctors. These people are a part of society - we all have voices, and the spaces where these voices can be shared in everyday life are key to bridging the gaps between different people's stories. Eric and I set forth this year to create a print publication that would simply be a collection of random submissions about anything - anything that people have drawn or written in whatever forms and styles, about anything they feel they want to share - whether about their experience on welfare, or what frying an egg means to them. The colour and brilliance that has come through the 40-some submissions is incredible. Though most are not "professionals", we believe that publication should not always be an intimidating, inaccessible process, and that individuals should feel they are worthy of sharing their art and expression even if it is not as perfect as they feel is expected. We are excited to compile and flow together such unique submissions from all different types of folks - 12 year old girls, professors, hard-working stay-at-home moms, youth with whole other perspectives of our streets, etc. We hope to print and distribute by the end of this summer, 2013. It will be hard, but awesome ;).

Seattle, WA – KNIT3 (cubed)

2013-07-16T00:00:00Z

Offering interactive art and engaging community in art making is a passion of mine. KNIT3 (KNITcubed) is a project designed to celebrate community building. A series of (12”x12”x12”) knit cubes in bright colors will be available for people to build, stack, organize or arrange into whatever configuration they want. Building with blocks is a milestone that every child remembers and the fascination and compulsion to stack doesn’t go away just because you’re an adult. Visitors of all ages will be welcome to join in these “Block Parties”. Piles of knit cubes will be offered during community block parties in Occidental Park over several dates summer 2013. Pioneer Square is finally experiencing a regeneration of community this year. Hopes are high that the days of vacant store fronts, dirty alleyways, and high crime are in the past. Now that I have a studio in the neighborhood, I want to offer my talents to brighten this historic neighborhood. By partnering with the Alliance For Pioneer Square at their community gatherings this summer, I want to offer literal opportunities for building community through open ended art making of stacking sweater cubes. I was recently selected by Seattle Parks and Recreation to create a project called KNIT2 (KNITsquared) as part of their summer ARTSparts program. KNIT2 is a series of blazing sweater wrapped “rain chains” that will ornament and brighten the canopy of the London Plane trees. This project is set to be installed sometime in June, which is notoriously Seattle’s most depressingly dreary month. 125 squares in total will be arranged into individual chains to represent the opening of the Grand Central Hotel adjacent to Occidental Square 125 years ago. These two projects were designed to complement each other. KNIT2 represents the history mingled with the lofty ambitions of Pioneer Square future. KNIT3 addresses the tactile nature of community. Unfortunately, KNIT3 was not selected to receive funding via ARTSParks.

Awesome Without Borders (Inativo) – Think Before You Type

2013-07-15T00:00:00Z

Think Before You Type is an anti-cyberbullying and positive self-esteem campaign that God put on our hearts last June. We didn't like all of the cyberbullying that we saw occurring on Twitter, or the way that it made people feel so we decided to take a stand. Our goal is to change our generation for the better by inspiring young people to stand up against cyberbullying (and bullying of any kind), use the internet for good, and to dream big. For now our campaign is social media, YouTube, and blog based. We interview bands, and others, and get them talking about cyberbullying, the internet, and self-esteem. We don't think that enough people are talking about this issue, and we want to change that! We also write blog posts that are reflections on important thoughts and issues that we think need to be written about. One major thing that we're known for is that every Sunday we post a video"dare" that challenges people to go out and have a positive impact on the people in their lives in simple ways. For example: "We dare you to go this week and make someone smile". We want people to realize that it isn't that hard to have a positive impact on others. We hope that in the coming months and years we'll continue to build our online presence and create a presence in our community. We hope to be able to speak with other young from all over about these important topics, and the help them see that they too can be passionate about doing good.

Windsor, ON (Inativo) – Downtown Windsor Local Treasures Hunt

2013-07-15T00:00:00Z

The Downtown Windsor Local Treasures Hunt is a way to get people more familiar with the great business and organizations we have downtown and a safe, green and healthy way to visit them - on a bicycle! Registrants, or hunters, will be given a bicycle (or they can use their own) and a map and their task will be to visit a list of businesses (or their representatives) and collect their booty. Booty will be a business card or a flyer, something that most businesses already have on hand and will hopefully not cost them extra money. Business outside the downtown area can also participate by either supplying coupons to hunters, or by sending a representative to a downtown landmark (such as a sculpture by the river) to distribute the booty. The aim of the event is to get people out and moving for the day, and most importantly, showing them all of the local treasures that they might not know were even there! Since the hunters will be physically entering the business they will have a chance to look around, and even shop, at their leisure. The booty will provide them with the information they need to find the place again. The first hunter to collect all the booty will collect a prize, but the real prize is all of the local treasures every hunter will have found that day. For the weeks leading up to the event, there will be special social media involvement including location hints, giveaways, and special offers at the participating businesses. You can find us on facebook at http://facebook.com/localtreasureshunt and twitter at @DWLocalTreasure

Vancouver, BC (Inativo) – Vancouver Community Building Kazoo Flash Mob

2013-07-15T00:00:00Z

Vancouver needs to be a little more awesome. We need to do more things that make people smile. We want to put on an event that brings together people from across the city to participate in a flash mob on the Sea Wall. We will provide each participant with their own Awesome Kazoo. As they arrive to the gathering point (probably the large bird statues in the Olympic Village), we will send off groups with their kazoos, under the supervision of a section leader, to designated stations around the Sea Wall. Each group will practice their kazoo skills as they walk. After all of the sections are launched, we will serenade the city with a series of musical pieces, mostly likely to include Oh Canada, the Good Ol’ Hockey Song, and other popular pieces. The group will parade along the Sea Wall en mass, most likely to Granville Island, where we will complete the performance (and most likely contribute to the financial well being of local coffee shops). This is not a trivial undertaking. Getting the kazoos is easy, but we will have to coordinate our team of around 15 section leaders with practices and detailed planning over the Summer. To attract the attendees, we would take advantage of social media, our involvement in groups (e.g. the UBC Summer Music Institute), and connections (e.g. CBC Radio).

New York City, NY – Subway Sets

2013-07-14T00:00:00Z

Subway Sets brings music from the NYC underground to rooftops around the city. I am bringing people together around a great experience, while also getting exposure for these amazing artists. They're used to playing in dingy subways and empty, unfriendly bars, so I think it would be really cool to bring them into a supportive, AWESOME environment. My first week in NYC, I met an incredibly talented young musician named Robert Leslie (http://robertleslie.bandcamp.com/). I brought him onto a rooftop and watched him enthrall the crowd while having what he referred to as "the best night he'd had in forever". I plan on making it a monthly event series for incredible people to enjoy a really fun experience. And eventually, the content will be crowdsourced; if you see something awesome in the subway, tweet @subwaysets and we'll get in touch with them to see if they're interested in performing! I am very excited to approach this as a passion project, rather than needing to make money from it.

New Orleans, LA (Inativo) – Campaign to End Employment Discrimination

2013-07-12T00:00:00Z

In order to further our Campaign to End Employment Discrimination we are working on outreach through media. Namely billboards, bus shelter ads, flyers and video advertisements. In the past we have had success getting member led legislation passed in the state legislature that removed barriers to licensure that FIPs faced. We have also engaged the community in forums and by canvassing neighborhoods. Economic empowerment is vital in reintegration and a deterrent for recidivism, so we are organizing a job fair for formerly incarcerated people and the community at large. We are planning advertisements geared toward employers to share the incentives of hiring FIPs and encourage them to hire FIPs and another toward FIPs to let them know about the work of our organization and the job fair. We plan to go around the city and get testimonials from people who have been discriminated against and find it hard to find a job. So part of our project will amplify the voices of the expendable. While being amongst communities we can alert them to our pending job fair and educate them on the rights of FIPs and offer to register them to vote. This will help to build our capacity to get the word out about employment discrimination against those vulnerable populations trying to get their lives back on track, this will also help us to gain organizational membership in the fight against mass incarceration in the World capital of incarceration.

Sydney – Clovelly Road Better Block

2013-07-10T00:00:00Z

WHAT We're holding a demonstration event where the community change their street for the day to make it greener, safer and more liveable. We're adding trees, plants, tables, chairs, art, music, bike & pedestrian infrastructure, and slowing traffic - creating our own little urban innovation zone. (Known also as 'urban acupuncture'.) Some visuals here - http://pinterest.com/clovellyrd/better-blocks This video explains more - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VC5EFcD5aCM WHERE We'll be blitzing the Clovelly Road block between Arden & Beach Streets. (Though one of the goals is to inspire changes more widely in Sydney.) WHEN It's 27 October 2013. People are starting to sign up to the event at https://www.facebook.com/events/475788085832193 WHY The Better Block idea started in the US a few years back. There's now been 40 Better Blocks in the US. This is the first in Sydney. The aims of the Better Block are to: - bring the community together - encourage people to re-imagine their street - invite them to add their ideas - turn those ideas into something that people can see, touch and feel - show Council and politicians people are keen for change - create momenum for improvements to be made permanently - inspire others to push for change where they live (their street.) Better Blocks have worked because they're quick, light and cheap. The Better Block US site has more of the thinking behind it - http://betterblock.org There's big changes happening to streets worldwide. You can see the innovations that Sydney is missing out in these videos and pics: - http://www.youtube.com/user/ClovellyRoadTV/videos - http://vimeo.com/clovellyroad/albums - http://pinterest.com/clovellyrd WHO I'm co-ordinating the project, but we're rallying people living around here and the local businesses to get involved. We have UNSW Planning, Landscape and Media students on board to help. And the support of a range of other local groups.

Maldon (Inativo) – Maldon children's Storytime

2013-07-09T00:00:00Z

My monthly Storytime has been a huge success filling the Junior library with little people eager to listen to stories, sing some songs and create some crafty activity. It would be awesome to have some funds to buy craft supplies, puppets and big books..

Awesome Without Borders (Inativo) – Endangered Lakota Youth: Pine Ridge Reservation

2013-07-08T00:00:00Z

My Awesome Foundation Project is to increase the $1,000 grant fourfold within six months by utilizing an established Native American credit union savings program for Pine Ridge Reservation and then distribute the proceeds to seven Lakota teens to fund housing, college tuition, or a business start-up. Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota lacks a sustainable economic infrastructure for employment and growth. The possibility of Lakota youth finding employment on the reservation to support themselves, build a future, start a business, or pay for college is extremely limited. These bleak prospects are additional factors for the destruction of the Lakota family unit by increasing the number of school drop-outs, gang memberships, alcohol and substance abuse cases, and teenage suicides, the latter being 150% higher than the national average. I want to change this by providing seven (7) Oglala Sioux teens (14-17 year olds) with six (6) months of minimum deposits ($25 per month) for a Youth Individual Development Account (IDA) at Lakota Funds in Kyle, South Dakota. Lakota Funds will match these deposits $3 for every $1 with certain requirements and restrictions. Youth IDA Program participants can deposit up to $720, and Lakota Funds will deposit up to $2,160, for a grand total of $2,880 to be used for asset-specific purchases, i.e. paying for college, starting a business, or buying a home. After the deposit of the first $150, the chosen Youth IDA participants will be responsible for obtaining the rest of the proceeds needed to maximize the fund. The successful implementation of this Awesome Project may be the impetus for collaboration between individuals (separately or through “crowd funding”), corporations, and/ or foundations for additional teen sponsorships via Lakota Funds. The draw would be in the fact that every $1 invested in the Pine Ridge Reservation community would actually mean $4 going out to individual Lakota teens with a message of hope and support. Photos courtesy of Jonathan Hamner and ONE Spirit

Washington, DC – More Sound Bike

2013-07-08T00:00:00Z

Right now, one of the Bike Party leaders rides with a "Sound Bike." This is a bike with a trailer attached that carries some pretty awesome speakers. The speakers are so cool and such a big part of the party that in the past 5 months, we've gone from 70 participants to over 600! The problem right now is that with that many people, everyone can't hear the music. That's not awesome. I want to build another trailer and set of speakers to make sure that everyone can enjoy the ride. The massive jumps in participants show how successful the ride has been. We'd like to keep this great community event going strong. The plans for the project can be found at the link below. I will not be covering my bike in leopard print... http://www.cathodecorner.com/loudbike/ (The Washington Area Bicycle Association supports DCBP and we also have good standing with the Metropolitan Police Department. It is a friendly, community oriented event).

San Francisco, CA – StreetStage and Kids POP!

2013-07-07T00:00:00Z

The most awesome way to celebrate our community is through music and dance. Spirits lift and faces smile with dancing in the street. On Bartlett Street in the SF's Mission District, music fuels the transformation of a trash-strewn, graffiti riddled street into a celebration of local artists, food and family. There hasn't been a greater moment of joy or youth empowerment at the Market than public youth performance. StreetStage and the kids Play or Perform (POP!) project can bring that joy every week. Break dancing. Dia de los Muertos performances. Street theater. Middle school bands. Kids open mic night. They all bring families out and give youth a moment to shine. They provide a singular experience of public space for each of us. But it’s more special for the youth - it’s an experience they created themselves. The Street Stage brings this experience together - it highlights the youth performers, celebrating their performance while creating a focal point and gathering space. StreetStage would be a modular, rollable stage built especially for the Mission Community Market. It is can be used for a variety of bands and performance formats. It provides signage, lights and an attractive design to give the gathering space a focal point and platform for performers. Matching funds can be found to build it, but Awesome funds would help it realize its potential through young musicians and performers. The kids POP! project - will create an open mic and opportunity for youth to be booked, perform and connect with community on a regular basis. For many youth, it will be their first public performance. It will be a low-barrier way to explore and excel in the music, dance or performance they love most. Uni & her Ukelele, who works with youth all over SF, will book, host and promote the event. She or a local artist will play with and encourage any youth feeling shy. The project will be modeled & offered through local schools, youth centers, non-profits, and the arts commission.

San Francisco, CA – EOYDC summer Science class

2013-07-07T00:00:00Z

I am very excited to have the opportunity to serve as the Science Instructor for the third summer in a row at the East Oakland Youth Development Canter’s (EOYDC) Summer Cultural Enrichment Program (SCEP). The SCEP program is a six-week summer program for children in urban Oakland and for many of them, it is their safe haven from the dangerous streets of Oakland. My neighborhood is filled with crime, drugs and poverty; many broken children fill the streets. Some of the children in my community have experienced violence. The summer program gives them hope. Three summers ago was the first time I had an opportunity to impart some of my Science knowledge to the children in my community. I fell in love with the children. Before the first class instruction, I asked the question to each class, “What do you like about Science?” Over 85 percent of all the participants said “nothing” and it broke my heart inside but I was not surprised. I remember my elementary Science classes being boring and irrelevant because all we did was read from textbooks. We could not afford to do any experiments because our school was underfunded. Our first class was on Chemistry and chemical and physical reactions, and we were able to do the diet coke and Mentos experiment while learning about endothermic and exothermic reactions and the children had a blast! By the end of the first class, over 90 percent of the students told me they loved Science and that made my heart ecstatic! Every day they kids ask me "Ashaki, what are we doing for Science today?" I must have answered that question at least 40 times a day during the program. Many kids told me they never did experiments in their school. They never knew that you could test your hypothesis through the scientific method. Since the first experiment, the children have had a chance to be exposed to a real science class and have found out that science can be fun and educational at the same time.

San Francisco, CA – Sleep for Moms

2013-07-07T00:00:00Z

Sleep for moms is a social art practice project that provides an invaluable resource to local mothers - an opportunity to sleep while receiving free childcare. Lack of sleep is a serious issue among parents, particularly mothers, affecting their psychological well being and often leading to depression. This project is meant to call attention to the issue and the need for greater networks of support for mothers and parents in general. Throughout August, Interface Gallery will be transformed into a sleeping clinic with a bed, privacy curtain, soothing art, and white noise. Mothers, who sign up for "daily sleeping slots" will be left alone in the gallery to rest while a childcare provider takes her child or children on a walk to a nearby park.* Participating mothers will be interviewed about their sleeping habits, their feelings about sleep and their physical and mental state in general. At times when the gallery is not being used for scheduled naps, it will be open to viewers as an installation, with data collected from interviews on display. Visitors will also be invited to add their experiences to the collected information. *Licensed childcare is being arranged through a local family resource center, Bananas.

Whangarei (Inativo) – GGR! (guerilla gardening revolution)

2013-07-07T00:00:00Z

I would like to revamp the neglected land and heavily concreted land of the CBD (and outlying areas) by guerilla gardening projects. Guerilla gardening can be done in many different forms, the form I would like to use is to prepare in advance all that is going into the target area and with a team of people go to the area at night and transform it by planting an assortment of high producing vegetable plants and bright and vibrant flower plants (especially those beneficial to bees). Along with the plants I would like to put in colourful and informative signage, labelling plants and garden areas explaining why the gardens have been put in and that the produce is for all to enjoy. By doing this at night, locals see a transformation from one day to the next, an instant garden! I would also like to create gardens in heavily concreted areas by bringing in raised garden beds and using productive pots and hanging basket type arrangements, these can be attached to poles around town (road signs, pedestrian crossing signposts etc). I have seen different creative ideas such as hanging pots made of colourful old teapots with plants growing in them hanging from the hand rail leading up stairways and simple ideas brighten up even the most indutrialised areas. This type of Guerilla gardening is exciting and fun for both those involved in the building of the garden and those who get the surprise when the see it for the first time the next day! I would ensure the gardens were maintained and watered on a regular basis and hope this would be a good way of encouraging others to reclaim unused land as common garden space. Dates of the proposed project (and when it will be implemented/completed): This is an ongoing project, but it would start in spring (September) 2013.

Whangarei (Inativo) – Seats for Streets - Love it Chere

2013-07-07T00:00:00Z

Second hand bus seats recovered in some funky haberdashery were put in place around central Whangarei. The seats where fixed to public spaces (sign posts/traffic poles/street lamp, etc). The idea being, get locals to 'have a seat', ponder a moment while waiting to cross at the lights, view the road from a relaxed position, have a bit of fun and interact with some unusual street art which can be moved around town to different places.

Sarnia (Inativo) – One Tomato Souper Lunch

2013-07-04T00:00:00Z

The One Tomato Souper Lunch will (likely) take place on Thursday, September 12 in celebration of the local tomato harvest. It will be a free event, where people of all appetites and economic backgrounds can enjoy delicious bowls of fresh soup in an outdoor, friendly, communal atmosphere. The event will be held in a large, accessible area, such as the front lawn of the Clearwater Arena, where there’s space for many tables and chairs. Volunteers will serve soup with a slice of locally baked bread to each person, who will use their own bowls and cutlery. We also aim to have a local band provide entertainment. It’s going to be awesome!

Oahu, HI – Legacy Projects

2013-07-03T00:00:00Z

This year the Hawaii Heart Foundation taught the entire 6th grade CPR, and how to use an Automated External Defibrillator, or AED. My Legacy Project is to purchase an AED for the school cafeteria. An AED is a device that shocks a person's heart back into the correct rhythm after they have had a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Our cafeteria is used for many events, by both the school and community. Besides breakfast and lunch, the cafeteria is used for school events such as assemblies, A+ after school care, PTA functions, and special events such as Grandparents Day, Curriculum Fair, Winter Games Night, Science Fair, Talent Show, and the 6th Grade Graduation. The school cafeteria is also used in the evenings and weekends by community groups such as Zumba, Jazzercize, Line Dancing, the Enchanted Lake Baptist Church, and the Olomana Community Association. In my research I learned that heart attacks occur most often in people that are active, and in the elderly. The American Heart Association says, "Nearly 400,000 Americans experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital each year and almost 90% of them die." That means that 360,00 people die each year from cardiac arrest. In most cases heart compressions and calling 911 isn't enough. People that have had their heart shocked by an AED after they have had a heart attack or cardiac arrest have almost a 100% chance of survival. The second part of my Legacy Project is to teach the 5th graders how to do CPR, and how to use an AED. This way, they will be able to perform CPR and operate the AED when needed. I hope they will continue with the legacy by training the next set of 5th graders.

Oahu, HI – Ka Papa Kai: Ocean Science for Kids

2013-07-03T00:00:00Z

Through our personal experiences and outreach efforts, we found that many of our North Shore keiki weren't familiar with the MLCD--a spectacular, natural outdoor classroom right in their front yard! We developed a youth program called Ka Papa Kai (seaside class), a series of fun, hands-on, educational workshops for children that focus on marine science, environmental stewardship, and Hawaiian culture. We offer a school-year cohort, which currently brings together 20 children from Sunset Beach Elementary School to the MLCD once per month during the school year to learn about the watershed, marine species in different ocean zones, the coastal environment, human impacts to the environment, and how they can help to take care of it. We also offer a one-week summer day camp for about 35 children. Our Director of Educational Programs has developed the curriculum, which meets Hawaii State Standards, and has developed pre-tests and post-tests for each session to assess the program. Students learn in multiple ways through the program--presentations, in-water exploration, hands-on games, reading, writing, and art--using all of their senses in a setting where the daily weather and wave conditions become part of the lesson. Based on the success of our first 1.5 years of Ka Papa Kai, we would like to expand the program to reach kids who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the ocean on the North Shore. MPW will offer four- to six-hour ocean science workshops to groups from around O‘ahu. Our goal this year is to host at least six groups, reaching 72 additional children and youth. MPW will reach out to groups through its existing networks in addition to other potential interested groups such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA programs, and more. MPW will offer a choice of themes based on the Ka Papa Kai curriculum and will offer a choice of dates on a first-come, first-served basis. We expect participants’ ocean science knowledge to increase by 90% per test scores.

Liverpool – Green Clean Team

2013-07-02T00:00:00Z

We want to rid our shopping area of the ugly grey metal shutters on the various shops on our Lane and paint them with art graphics or something even more eye catching,maybe even discover our own BANKSY who knows. We have one of the few unique area,s in Liverpool to shop and don,t want to lose it to the Supermarket giant,s JMU students plus school children from the Liverpool area along with their Lecturers have agreed for them to be creative with paint,all supervised, but we need the material,s for this to happen. The shops approached are all in favour to revitalise the Lane in order to bring more foot traffic to them.The Lane itself is a very busy though fare with passing motorists and may help to persuade them to stop and shop in the future,particualy if the shutters have incorporated in the painted design,s what they are trading as. If we are successful this venture could catch on and maybe rid all City,s/Town,s of these horrible looking shutters with just that little bit of TLC.

Montreal, QC (Inativo) – Dites quelque chose de gentil

2013-07-01T00:00:00Z

Inspiré d’une réalisation similaire initiée par le musée Guggenheim de New York(« Say something nice. », référence web en fin de document), notre projet consiste à « prendre possession » d'un espace urbain pendant quelques heures et d'inviter les passants à adresser à tous quelque chose de gentil . L’espace sera aménagé d’un lutrin sur lequel reposera un mégaphone à disposition de tous les passants. Chacun est libre de se l’approprier et de prononcer tout haut un mot gentil aux gens qui l'entourent : souhaits, compliments, etc. Afin que l’effet positif de cette intervention perdure au-delà de la journée où il a lieu, l’événement sera filmé et diffusé sur divers sites de partage vidéo et via les médias sociaux.

Awesome Without Borders (Inativo) – Hallstatt, China

2013-07-01T00:00:00Z

Hallstatt, China ‘Hallstatt, China’ is a multi-media project investigating contemporary notions of copies through a comparison of Chinese replica towns and their original European counterparts. These so called ‘copy towns’ are a recent phenomenon in which western buildings and even entire towns are reconstructed for the high-end property market in China. Making use of virtual models and 3d printing the artists employ the current tools of architectural reproduction to process their photo and video documentation of the twin sites and create sculptural works, prints, a film and a book. The film will be a non-narrative take on the rise of these towns. It will feature footage from lots of different locations in China associated with copying (Thames Town: a town featuring many replicated English buildings, the Dafen Oil Painting Village: where 80% of the worlds fake oil paintings are produced, two versions of the Eiffel Tower, several abandoned copy projects, and several 'miniature worlds), but will predominantly be focused on the reproduction of Hallstatt, a UNESCO protected Austrian town. The film will include interviews with the marketing teams, residents, as well as with architect Ai Weiwei. The artists have also arranged interviews for when they visit the original town in Austria; this includes the town mayor, Alexander Scheutz, as well as marketing staff and residents. The aim is to have the film finished by the end of 2013.

Austin, TX – Powering a Robot with a Control Moment Gyroscope

2013-06-30T00:00:00Z

The Austin Awesome Foundation's June $1000 grant goes to a talented team of Austin high school students, Joshua Stricker and Marek Travnikar. Both Josh and Marek are members of their school's robotics team, which is how they got the idea for their project: a Control Moment Gyroscope (CMG). We'll let Josh and Marek explain what that means: A CMG uses the angular momentum of a high speed flywheel to effect the movement of the object that the gyroscope is mounted to. The most common application of CMGs is in satellites, such as the international space station, where they are used for navigation and maneuvering. Our design is obviously on a much smaller scale. our goal is to be able to perform wheelies, somersaults, rolls and other maneuvers on a 120-pound robot solely using the CMG. The way we would accomplish this is relatively simple. A 30-pound flywheel is spun up to and kept spinning at 6000rpm by two powerful Cim motors. This assembly is mounted on two gimbals which can each be rotated 360 degrees, applying a torque to the flywheel. This rotation is accomplished with two more Cims, one per gimbal, each with a three stage planetary gearbox to allow for more powerful movement at a much lower speed. All of the components that we plan on using are also used in the robotics competitions that we use, so they are very familiar to us and are all very reliable. Importantly, nobody has ever done this before. From our research, the only other CMGs are made for large scale aerospace purposes. This would be the first powerful, small scale CMG for amateur use. We will document our process extensively, so that others can follow us into this new frontier of amateur robotics. We have the capability and wish for the opportunity to do something truly groundbreaking. We could make a very large robot drive forward and then suddenly pivot up onto one wheel and drive. We could put it into a hollow sphere and just roll around with an unparalleled degree of control. A bicycle could stand up on its own, and then flip end over end and afterwards, remain standing. This idea is awesome, in the true sense of the word.

Pittsburgh, PA – Cinch Sacks for Foster Children

2013-06-30T00:00:00Z

When children are removed from foster care, their belongings are placed in a trash bag. As I write this I cry because trash is meant to be placed in a trash bag, not belongings. Imagine being taken from everything you have ever known, having your belongings placed into a trash bag and then showing up on a doorstep to a family you do not know. In Allegheny County we have over 1500 children in the foster care system. Our goal is to create a "comfort bag" for each child that is removed from their home. Our goal is to purchase as many cinch sacks as possible and to fill them with things they will need and that will bring comfort to them in this difficult time. At a later time, we also plan to have a suitcase, duffle bag and backpack drive for the children as well. Our goal is to keep the integrity of the child intact and to show them that they matter in this world. Imagine the impact we can have by bringing a small amount of comfort to these children. They did not ask for this to happen in their lives, but we want to be there to comfort them and show them that they are loved, even if in a small way!

Tel Aviv - קרן בקטנה (Inativo) – Birthday Angels Birthday Party Project

2013-06-28T00:00:00Z

Birthday Angels provides birthday parties for children whose families cannot afford to do so themselves. This special grant will support the development a party kit that will service special needs children who don't have the dexterity or communication skills that our three other kits require. These children need to be loved and celebrated like all children and this kit can give them the kind of experience that will deeply strengthen their sense of self worth, belonging and feeling loved. We loved this project because it is bringing special birthday love to those who need it most!

San Antonio, TX – 1005 Faces

2013-06-28T00:00:00Z

1005 faces is my personal photography project in which I am re-imagining the face of San Antonio as a cosmopolitan multicultural epicenter of interesting people looking to create an awesome place to live. The desire is to showcase the diversity of San Antonio through the faces and thoughts of our community, and in doing so provide a clear image of what our city really looks like. Promoting the movement of DreamWeek San Antonio, and moving away from cliche's of Riverwalk and margaritas; San Antonio is a cosmopolitan, multicultural epicenter with eclectic people looking to create an awesome place to live and celebrate our talents and interests. 1005 faces is a collaborative art project as it can only be created by the coming together of friends and strangers to create the full scope, and fulfill the goal of photographing 1005 distinct faces. The hope is to be able to create different forms of public art largely displayed for everyone in the city and beyond to view, enjoy, and ponder.

Kingston – the Claire Closet

2013-06-27T00:00:00Z

The Claire Closet seeks to inspire confidence in girls by showing them how finding your personal style can make you feel as good on the inside as you look on the outside. CC exists both online and on the runway. Targeted audience; high school girls (particularly grade nine and ten girls). The Claire Closet website features Claire's thrifty outfits that help inspire the girls to learn how to budget wardrobe and be creative in making beautiful outfits for a small price. We also have a blog that focuses on specific topics and people that are inspiring and provide positive role models for the girls to look up to or relate to. We also have instagram, twitter, facebook, pinterest, and vine pages that allow the girls to interact and share their personal styles. The social media platforms are a place to celebrate the awesomeness of each girl and give them confidence to ROCK who they are. The Claire Closet "offline" exists in the studio workshops. The girls come together every week and learn about their personal style and share who they are with others around them. For example, we will have topics that help girls learn about their best colours, how to do their hair, how to thrift shop, how to do DIY (Do It Yourself) Fashion, how to be entrepreneurs for their art etc. Each workshop prepares the girls to put together a final show that features all of their personal styles. This is an opportunity for the girls to show people in their life what they have learned, created and become. Twitter: @theclairecloset Facebook: www.facebook.com/theclaireclosetpage Instagram: @theclairecloset.com Vine: the Claire Closet Pinterest; The Claire Closet

Miami, FL – Code Fever

2013-06-26T00:00:00Z

We are planning an event called Code Fever on June 22nd in Miami. We want to introduce and teach young african american and Caribbean kids in Miami how to code. Black americans are major consumers of technology (They index high on twitter and Instagram) but they are not creators of the technology. We feel strongly that if we can expose them and open their eyes to the technology possibilities they change the world through their fingertips. This 1 day event will be held in Overtown to provide a fun and interactive day of teaching kids how to build their own webpage and/or app. While they are being taught by local programmers their parents will be in a workshop and panel to show them the importance of allowing their kids to use technology even if they don't understand it themselves. To make sure that their kids take the right classes, join the right organizations at school and show them what the career and entrepreneurial possibilities are. For far too long the meal ticket out of some of Miami's most impoverished communities has been rapping, football or basketball. We want to show them that technology can be that new meal ticket and can change not only their families lives but also their community and the world.

LA South Bay, CA (Inativo) – Pearent.com--A Parenting Website

2013-06-26T00:00:00Z

There are lots of parents who want to be awesome parents. But how do you become an awesome parent? You can read a lot of books by people like Alfie Kohn, Steven Covey, and Marshall Rosenberg, etc. But that takes a lot of time, you have to be sitting down and have your eyes open--parents find this challenging. You can send your child to a school that shares your parenting philosophy. But these schools are uncommon and you're also probably paying a hefty fee for private school tuition. You could go to parenting classes, get a sitter, coordinate schedules with your partner, change out of your favorite sweatpants, and pay more money. You could search for parenting education online, but there is inadequate information about becoming an awesome parent in this respectful, empathic philosophy. But don't despair Soon you will be able to go to Pearent.com for interactive, online parent education. You will learn about what to do through the Pear model, which incorporates the work of top researchers, psychologists, and educators into a comprehensive visual model. - Download educational videos, of real parents and teachers so you can see and hear how to handle situations with kids - Listen to podcasts and learn while you are on the go - Get parenting iPhone apps for in-the-moment support - Be in a supportive online community. We have gathered several consultants to develop Pearent.com. Rick Sharp, director of del Sol School, is a collaborator in the development of the Pear model and has approved filming at del Sol. We also have Brett Beucler, computer programmer, working on our iPhone app; Margaret Wuller, artist; and Potsch Boyd, video producer.

Miami, FL – Design for Habitat : Homes for Greater Miami

2013-06-25T00:00:00Z

Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals of Greater Miami (HYP) has formed an awesome partnership with the American Institute of Architects Student Chapter (AIAS-UM), the University of Miami School of Architecture Student Council,( SoA Stud Co) and the Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD) to create an awesome architecture contest that will offer unique career advancement opportunities to local university students, raise awareness on the need for affordable housing in Miami, and create a one-of-a-kind model for incorporating disability friendly and environmentally responsible design practices into an existing site that will be developed by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami. The contest will include free seminars on cost-effective construction practices, disabled-friendly and sustainable design, and tropical housing. These will be forums for the community to be educated on these very pertinent topics, as well as opportunities for students and local professionals to network. The most awesome design will be chosen by a jury comprised of local construction professionals, university faculty, and Habitat staff, will be recognized at an award ceremony and through mixed media publication, and will be awarded a cash prize of at least $2,000- money architecture students can use to fund their never ending need for school supplies and research materials.

Boulder, CO (Inativo) – Habitat for Artists BOULDER

2013-06-25T00:00:00Z

HABITAT for ARTISTS (HFA) is a an artist run group that explores the nature of creativity, the role of the artist in our communities and how to create dialog with a new audience. HFA BOULDER will construct a c. 6'x6' temporary studio (habitat) out of reclaimed materials and place it in a public space. We have a location secured - 3960 Broadway, in the courtyard immediately east of Lucky's Market. We invite artists from the community to work in the studios (for mini, 1-week residencies) and evolve different work practices, engaging with the public and posing questions relevant to sustainable practice. Artists will submit a proposal for the project they would like to complete during their mini-residency. The focus is to do something new and different and to engage the public (including children) in the creative process. Projects during past iterations of HFA have been things like a lost and found sketch booth, a mending wall where the artist asked passersby if there was anything in their lives or the world that needed mending, stitched it to a square of fabric and added to a wall quilt, a sculptural statement on ocean pollution, generating discussion about how plastics are used and discarded, and many more.

London, ON (Inativo) – Municipolitics

2013-06-25T00:00:00Z

MuniciPolitics is a local civic engagement program dedicated to connect high school students with the political structure that affects them most and to promote engagement among youth through integrated, civically aware advocacy modules. By offering a practical approach to municipal politics, students will absorb transferable skills that will make them more active in their local community. MuniciPolitics will complement the traditional curriculum and introduce Grade 10 Civics students to the concepts of London City Council, community-building, and municipal services. The goals of MuniciPolitics are to engage, empower, and link students with the London community for the betterment of the Forest City. Module 1: What is Civic Engagement? What does it mean to engage in your community, what does it mean to participate democratically Module 2: What is Your Spark? Provide opportunities for students to evaluate what possibilities are available in the field of volunteerism Establish ties within the London Community so that students can transition into areas they are concerned about Module 3: The Political Process How civic engagement can be mobilized through participation ie -LYAC discussion catalyst for students Module 4: Advocacy Understand the various outlets to create change Connecting students with local initiatives that demonstrate advocacy Module 5: Making your Message Heard How to communicate effectively Develop public speaking skills and/or presentation skills Learn the benefits of public speaking and develop a sense of confidence Module 6: Networking Mixer Teaching the mechanics of networking by organizing an networking event specifically for high school students Module 7: Economics Budget game - juxtaposing the current budget in a game-like structure to analyze the priorities of students and London City Council Module 8: Gender and Perspectives Encourage reflexivity of how student’s gender and identity affects them biologically and sociologically.

Awesome Without Borders (Inativo) – "30 Days of Opera"

2013-06-24T00:00:00Z

In September 2013, Opera Memphis will present 30 Days of Opera — a month-long program aimed at breaking down the perceived barriers that prevent many people from experiencing the power of opera. Over the course of 30 consecutive days, we will offer over 50 FREE public performances at more than 40 different locations, all across the Memphis region. These events will introduce opera into the daily routines of local residents — at farmers markets, restaurants, schools -- and even high-traffic street corners. In the process, we will create a trail of breadcrumbs that leads to the opera house. In this, the second year of the program, we will expand our roster of singers, which will significantly increase the number of free performances we can deliver. We've already lined up support from the NEA, OPERA America, Autozone, and others...but we're missing one CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FUNDER: The AWESOME FOUNDATION! Without your support, we won't be able to make this festival truly AWESOME!

Rio de Janeiro (Inativo) – Kids Give Cristo a Wardrobe for the World to See

2013-06-22T00:00:00Z

My awesome project objective is to give Brazilian children an opportunity to have their art taken around the world through Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer souvenir statues. Everyday approximately 4000 tourists visit a estátua do Cristo Redentor in Rio de Janeiro. Because of this, the most purchased souvenirs are the mini-replicas. Using fabric, I have designed robes that fit like ponchos over the mini-replicas. My goal is to provide these robes (in white) to art classes so students can paint, write, draw, and design them with their own style. They can choose a theme reflective of Brazil, such as the 2014 World Cup, Carioca living, Amazonas and so on, or they can design their robe based on anything they liked. I will then deliver the finished robes to souvenir shops in Rio de Janeiro where tourists can choose their one-of-a-kind robe for their Christ statue. I already have agreements with souvenir shops owners who are willing to be participants in the project. These statues and robes will be taken to different parts of Brazil and to the likes of China, Angola, Russia, Paraguay, the United States and many other countries. They will sit on the desk and shelves of those who have traveled to Brazil and those who have not. And they will be seen as religious symbols, pieces of art and history. Even without the robes ever being unveiled these statues would be purchased all the same. But with it, tourists will jump at the opportunity to fulfill a child's dream of having his art taken to a different part of the world. This project will accomplish its goal of spreading the art of Brazilian children, and moreover, hopefully, achieve a better mutual respect, acceptance, and appreciation for the uniqueness that which God has made all of us...the goal of Christ the Redeemer. (Also, I am exploring how to create a webpage where tourists can upload a photo of their statue and robe once they get back to their home country.)

Detroit, MI (Inativo) – Vote Detroit

2013-06-22T00:00:00Z

Vote Detroit is a non-partisan, Detroit-based initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of voting in local elections and increasing civic participation amongst city residents. Energy and interest in the city is at an all-time high. Throughout Detroit, entrepreneurs, artists and makers from all walks of life are channeling the momentum of the city’s impending renaissance. We have innovation and creativity. We have enthusiasm and passion. We have a thirst for real progress. But, what we typically don’t have is optimal civic participation. Detroit’s long-term stability requires a functional and dependable infrastructure. Change - real change - will only happen when we start drawing the connection between informed civic participation and quality of life. The time is now. Together we can make the change. Since 2005, voter turnout in mayoral election years has ranged from 14% to 37%, and no mayoral candidate has won a general election by more than 20,000 votes. There are 560,000 registered voters and approximately 50,000 unregistered voters ages 18 to 35 in the city of Detroit, which means an increase of even a small fraction of these nonvoters can change the outcome of any local election. Vote Detroit is a targeted messaging campaign that uses the existing and increasing energy in the city, while highlighting its serious infrastructural shortfalls and the ease with which increased participation can put in place effective leaders, as an impetus for mobilization.

Awesome Without Borders (Inativo) – Umvolti AIDS Center Playground

2013-06-17T00:00:00Z

I just returned from visiting Justin in KwaZulu-Natal where he works at a rural community health center that provides services to people infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS. One of the many services of the Umvoti AIDS Center is caring for Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVCs), which includes children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and children infected/affected by HIV/AIDS. Every day over 50 children between the ages of 5 to 14 come to the center where they are fed, offered homework support and given leadership skills through the center's Cubs & Scouts programs. Some of these children, as young as age 14, are now head of their household and care for their younger siblings since losing their parents to AIDS. The poorest of the poor have their clothes washed, school uniforms and school fee waivers provided for them, given monthly food parcels and engaged in bereavement counseling or offered psycho-social support. Basically, they are treated with love and respect and are given the skills and support they need to live healthy productive lives. Justin has been trying to build a modest playground for these children and has prepared a location and design for a safe and affordable play structure. The playground will be located on the AIDS Center property in an open field next to the feeding center where the kids come everyday for meals and counseling. The playground is already partially funded and needs $1000 more in order to be completed. If you could see these kids, you would know they deserve so much more but this playground would go a long way to bringing back some joy, laughter and childhood to their lives.

Vancouver, BC (Inativo) – Trade School Vancouver

2013-06-14T00:00:00Z

TSV is a non-traditional learning community that runs on barter. Anybody can teach a class, and students sign up for classes by agreeing to bring barter items that the teacher requests. Trade School celebrates practical wisdom, mutual respect, and the social nature of exchange. It is a place of learning, connecting, and sharing. We believe that everyone has something to offer. We think of ourselves as the middleman or facilitator of making education accessible in Vancouver by bringing together venues, teachers and students. To begin, a member of the community proposes a class they would like to teach through our website. We work with them to set up a time and venue, and then spread the word. Students sign up for their class by agreeing to fulfill one of the teacher's barter items, whether it’s a batch of cookies, or advice on lawn care. On the day of the class, everybody meets at the scheduled time and venue and shares in a great lesson while meeting new people, leaving full of inspiration, and maybe even thinking about what they could teach in the back of their mind… Vancouver is full of people willing and wanting to learn and share knowledge. TSV eliminates the barriers of money and exclusivity, making education more accessible to everyone. Whether someone just wants to teach their grandmother's chicken noodle soup recipe, or they want to learn how to handle accounting for a small business, Trade School's barter system allows anyone to take part in instructed learning, all the while highlighting the social enjoyment of connecting through sharing.

Ottawa – Great Mo-Ments in Bytown

2013-06-13T00:00:00Z

The first of June's two Awesome Ottawa awards goes to Grant Vogl, to support a Movember exhibit at the Bytown Museum celebrating amazing "Mo's" from throughout Ottawa's history. "From mayors and aldermen to merchants and curling clubs, Bytown has played host to some fantastic facial hair," says Grant, who illustrated this point with slides displayed as he pitched the idea at Awesome Ottawa's 3rd birthday party. The exhibit will feature large-format photographs, sign vinyl graphics, social media links and contests, children’s activities, and an interactive "self-portrait" display where visitors can give themselves a "Mo makeover." "This project is a personal one for me," says Grant, "my father having beaten prostate cancer. However, it is also an opportunity for the Museum to engage new visitors, raise awareness, raise money for a good cause, and show off some of our very eccentric artefact and photographic collection." Grant is Collections and Exhibitions Manager at the Bytown Museum.