Awesome Foundation - Projects

Boston, MA – The Hip Hop Transformation

2017-05-18T00:00:00Z

The Hip Hop Transformation program (THHT) helps urban youth aged 14 – 18 find their voice through hip hop. THHT uses music to spark conversations about relevant social issues, confront social inequalities, and create a public forum to form opinions. Through learning about, writing, recording, and performing their own hip hop music, our students have the opportunity to articulate their own perspectives on race, politics, and society. THHT fosters love for quality music and unlocks the potential of youth from diverse backgrounds to be musicians, performers, and agents of social change. The main objective of this program is to provide youth with knowledge and skills to promote pro-social behaviors and attitudes in an artistically relevant manner. Designed by Darrin Korte, passionate mentor and hip hop artist, the program begins with a history lesson. The group discusses how hip hop has been used as a form of self-expression and a refuge for those who are discriminated against in society, and how the art form has progressed over time. The students also engage in critical analysis of hip hop lyrics to deconstruct the underlying attitudes and messages of this popular style of music. Local professional musicians lead the students through writing and recording workshops. Youth create authentic hip hop in a state of the art studio, utilizing personal experiences and what they learned in the first portion of the program to advocate for positive social change. Not only do the participants share their message through recording their songs, they also perform at local venues, such as the Cambridge Public Library, City Hall and many other events throughout the year. These performances are outreach events designed to be a public forum for addressing social issues prevalent in mainstream hip hop such as racism, misogyny, and domestic abuse. Youth in the program will address these issues in a socially constructive way and spread these messages through their performances.

Adelaide – Harvest Fair - food for gender equity

2017-05-17T00:00:00Z

I am setting up a social enterprise which uses the power of good food to advance gender equity in Australia. Harvest Fair aims to provide flexible employment for women who struggle to find their place in mainstream employment due to their personal situation - they might be a family carer, a single parent, a refugee, or someone with a disability or chronic health/mental health condition that just requires some understanding and flexibility. These women will be employed as Culinary Creators - they have a love of food and cooking, and will prepare nutritious ready made meals that will be sold to participating workplaces around Adelaide for their employees to purchase - it will be a mini food court right within their office. The profits raised from the sale of the meals will go back into providing training, networking and development opportunities for our women to boost their confidence, skills and connections for ongoing career pathways. Harvest Fair wants to embrace an employment model that sees women's values and needs as assets rather than barriers to productivity. An outcome that we hope for is to increase women's participation in our workforce, and to set a precedent model for other businesses to adopt as action towards gender equality in Australia. We are well on our way - Harvest Fair was in incubation and testing phase for over a year and is now coming to life, and we expect to commence recruitment for our Culinary Creators in the next month.

Adelaide – Techfugees Adelaide Hackathon

2017-05-17T00:00:00Z

The Techfugees Adelaide Hackathon will bring together developers, designers, entrepreneurs, marketers, business minds and community members to develop creative tech solutions that focus on improving the lives of refugee families in Australia. Refugees who have newly arrived as well as those with settlement experience, will also be participating in this event to help teams deeply understand the problems and challenges faced by new arrivals. The format of the Hackathon will draw strongly on co-design principals and practices because people and outcomes matter. The Techfugees project was initiated by Mike Butcher from UK Tech Crunch as the tech community's response to meeting the needs of refugees. Since its inception, the initiative has spread worldwide and there have been four hackathons already hosted in Australia. Now it's Adelaide's turn! We are partnering with Red Cross, Life Without Barriers, Welcome Australia and the Australian Refugee Association. The Techfugees Adelaide Hackathon is complimentary to the objectives of these and other community organisations in terms of better understanding the needs of refugees in our community and equipping them with the social and business skills required to realize their ambitions. No funding is received from Techfugees International or Techfugees Australia. Each event is run independently but is supportive of each other. We rely solely on the generosity of government and business and individuals to bring Techfugees Hackathons to communities.

Ottawa – Rhythm Jumpers: A Skipping Party

2017-05-17T00:00:00Z

May’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Zara Ansar and Ryan Mason to support a giant skipping party. “We want to gather everyone in Ottawa to attend the most epic double dutch skipping party there ever was,” says Zara. “There will be awesome music, popsicles, and tons of ropes for everyone to join in on the fun — think 80’s street party with lots of colour and lots of great 80’s and 90’s hits blaring.” The party will be free and open to all. “The goal,” Zara explains, “is to allow people to try something different or remember something they used to do as children.” It will take place June 3rd at Landsdowne Park as part of 100In1Day, a global initiative with the goal to inspire change in cities through innovative urban interventions. You can find out more about the skipping party here. Zara is a videographer by day and bicycle style blogger and event planner by night. Ryan is a manager at Lush and a local and international volunteer.

Plano, TX (Inactive) – Girls Care Initiative

2017-05-16T00:00:00Z

Girls Care Initiative project is aimed at providing free sanitary pad/ tampons to girls in schools/women in shelter and prison. Though it’s a crisis that has long been documented in developing countries, many don’t realize it’s also a problem closer to home. In the U.S., nearly one in five kids aged 12-17 live in poverty. At $4 to $10 a package, plus sales tax ,a month’s supply of something as simple as a box of pads or tampons can be one expense too many for low income families In many schools, girls already can get free sanitary products from the nurse’s office, the process isn’t always a smooth one- “a young girl will have to tell her teacher, tell her counselor, then be sent to the nurse’s office, to be given a pad.” These processes make them skip class work/lesson while in school. Recent interview/survey carried out in schools in Texas show as follow 15% of girl’s uses re-usable napkins, 30% uses toilet roll, 10% uses both pad and toilet roll and 45% uses sanitary pad. Most students said they only get to use pad during school week and uses toilet roll during weekends and holidays. Some students complained that asking the nurse for sanitary pad makes almost everyone aware that they are on their period and could be embarrassing when the male student become aware of it Infrequent changing of tampons or pads is unhealthy, unsanitary and unsafe. Not using one at all is unthinkable. Humanity Support USA tends to provide free sanitary pad to girls from low income homes. Women will be given supplies in shelters, for women living in prisons, where menstrual hygiene products are in scarce supply, the impact of the distribution may be even more essential. Specific measurable goals the project hopes to achieve :( 1) support girls to properly care for their bodies during their periods (2) this will supports their ability to learn (3) and assist low income families.

Plano, TX (Inactive) – May the Fork be With Us!

2017-05-16T00:00:00Z

BIND provides tools and a bridge of support to adult brain injury survivors so they can reconnect into life, the community and workplace. Our vision is to lead the DFW area in providing Member-driven services and will serve as the model from Brain Injury Clubhouses across the state of Texas. At BIND, Members are brain injury survivors who regain purpose, fuel hope and continue healing after discharge from medical care. This is accomplished by allowing the Members to plan and execute programming at BIND, giving them control, independence and opportunities to develop interpersonal skills in a team. Staff, volunteers and members work collaboratively to run all aspects of the program, from answering phones, developing the newsletter, and cleaning the facility. Members volunteer for tasks they wish to complete – thus focusing on their strengths and individual interests while restoring purpose and control over daily life. Physical disability, differences in cognition or memory, fatigue, and behavioral changes are recognized and supported allowing refinement of problem-solving skills, increased functional independence, and building confidence and endurance in preparation for living alone safely, returning to paid employment or finding community volunteer work. Compared to the traditional medical model, this setting is ideal for practicing skills that are both functional and practical. Our program serves 20 Members weekly and has amassed a waiting list of 42 potential Members. Because of our growth we are relocating the program from 1,650 square feet to 4,200 square feet. The new space includes a kitchen that will allow Members to practice meal preparation in a safe environment. Except for a refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker we're growing our kitchen 'from scratch.' Please help us get it organized and ready for simple meal preparation with the addition of small appliances and basic kitchen gadgets. May the fork be with us!

Plano, TX (Inactive) – DOLLS NextGen5K & Night of Worship

2017-05-16T00:00:00Z

The DOLLS NextGen5K & Night of Worship is our ministry's effort to establish a thriving fundraiser event that can generate the future income we need to keep our organization alive. This is our third year to host this 5K; this year with the addition of a worship concert FREE for the community. Our event is being held at Oak Point Amphitheater in Plano on Saturday, April 8th. Research shows that it takes an average of 3-5 years for an organization to begin profiting from hosting a 5K, which means we are still within our investment years and have to work very hard to break even. Although we haven't yet begun to see the financial rewards of our labor, the 5K has at least been extraordinarily helpful to raise awareness of our ministry and mission among those in our community. For example, last year’s event allowed us to connect with teenagers on 6 new public school campuses that we are now working with to start chapters of our organization in their schools. Our event this year will begin with a 5K & Fun Run, followed by awards & raffles. We have several food trucks slated to come out to feed our participants and then guests will be invited to tour our ministry fair where we will be featuring dozens of other area ministries who are also looking to make an introduction with this community. When the sun sets, we will have a night of worship that people from across DFW will be invited to come out to join us for completely free of charge. There are so many exciting elements happening within this one event. We think it truly qualifies as AWESOME!

Plano, TX (Inactive) – First Date For Lyme

2017-05-16T00:00:00Z

A friend and myself would like to put together a production of First Date The Musical to raise money for Lyme Disease research. By casting actors still in high school we hope to learn from fellow students, and teach them what we know. Theatre is something we feel can inspire, enlighten, or if nothing else entertain, so we decided we wanted to put on a performance entertaining a local audience while helping a cause much bigger than ourselves. The musical itself is very well written, and funny. We hope to use this comedy to affect the people who see the show in a positive way. The musical follows Casey and Aaron’s first date. Aaron is a "blind date virgin," while Casey has been on more than her fair share. When the two are set up by a mutual friend, craziness ensues. The night unfolds over the course of this couple’s hilarious first date, and it’s not without its share of surprises in the form of imaginary visits from Aaron’s ex-girlfriend, Casey’s uptight sister, the pair’s protective parents and even their future son! Google background checks, awkward pauses and bailouts are all there during this unforgettable first encounter between two romantics, who just might be perfect for each other. Lyme Disease is a sickness caused by a bacteria carried by Blacklegged Ticks. The symptoms can be fever, fatigue and a rash. After a long time untreated, the illness can spread to the nervous system, joints and heart. Awareness for Lyme is pretty low, many doctors don’t look to Lyme when a patient is sick. The condition of a victim of Lyme Disease worsens the longer the sickness goes untreated. Raising awareness would help people get diagnosed faster, and get them treated and cured with ease.

Gloucester, MA – Binoculars for gear loaning library and programs

2017-05-16T00:00:00Z

High quality binoculars are expensive for individuals to purchase, and yet are incredibly important gear for becoming literate about local wildlife. They allow close up observations of birds, turtles, and other wildlife. Best of all, binoculars can open up a new world after only about 10 minutes of instruction and practice. The binoculars we would like to purchase are high quality with good magnification and focus, and are suitable for adult adventurers, and are rugged enough for rough use and small enough for children's hands. The idea is to have one set of binoculars that will be a shared resource for many people, thus putting them within reach of anyone on Cape Ann. Our binoculars will be used by thousands of people, especially children, to develop their awareness of wildlife and naturalist skills. Most of these people will be residents of Cape Ann. The main purpose will be to have a set of binoculars on hand at the Get Outside Center in Gloucester to loan out to our members. Members can check out the binoculars for up to two weeks at a time, along with any of the hundreds of field guides in our resource library. Teachers who are members will be able to check out the entire set of binoculars to use with their class. The staff and volunteers who check out gear also provide instruction in its use. Our aim is to have a set of 24 binoculars that can be loaned out, and we will be applying to Toad Hall, the Dewing Foundation, Brookline Bird Club to raise the funds needed to complete our set. The binoculars, when not checked out, will also be used on our classroom and field programs, which serve over 2000 kids each year. At present, a normal sized class has to take turns using our set of binoculars. Having enough for every child in a class will give them many more opportunities to observe and become connected to wildlife. Update: We are projected to reach over 1500 students during this school year, plus at least another 500 during the summer.

Boulder, CO (Inactive) – HOWL: A GINSBERG BIRTHDAY PARTY FEAT. ANNE WALDMAN

2017-05-16T00:00:00Z

The Fox Theatre in Boulder reached out to me (a graduate student at Naropa) to organize an amazing poetry performance production event at the Fox. I was pretty baffled by this turn of events, but needless to say, I am very excited to committing myself to organizing this event. Naropa is teaming up with my student periodical, Beats, to host this event, which will also be promoted by the Boulder Weekly. We are creating a stellar lineup of poets, including Anne Waldman, to perform in this multimedia event. It has been years since Naropa hosted a reading at a large venue like this, and I think it's time to bring the community into what "poetry" is today! All performers will be backed up by live improvisational music, as well as lighting and sound design- potentially projections- so that HOWL is a big event not to be forgotten. Included below are the specs for the event! HOWL: A Ginsberg Birthday Party Featuring Anne Waldman with Fast-Speaking Music and their friends from the poetry community June 3rd, 2017 DOORS 8:30 PM / SHOW 9:00 PM Hosted by Beats Periodical, Naropa University, and the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics Presented at the Fox Theatre 1135 13TH ST. BOULDER, CO 80302 Proceeds to benefit the poetry community Tickets at foxtheatre.com / ticketfly.com For more information, visit: aplaceofurgency.org

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Bring Soap to the Slums of Pune, India!

2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

Pune, India - a city of nearly 4 million with 40% of its residents living under the poverty line in crowded urban slums. A shocking 2008 study on the water, sanitation and hygiene revealed that out of the 256 government schools in Pune slums, not a single one had soap available. Lack of proper sanitation in these slums disproportionately affects children, causing diarrhea, cholera and typhoid. In India alone, 1,600 children under the age of five die every day from these illnesses. While they don’t have access to soap, gently used bar soaps are being thrown away by hotels nearby. That's where we come in. Sundara’s model is to hire local underprivileged women to recycle that soap waste, distribute the sanitized new soap bars to communities in need, and teach handwashing and hygiene education. Our Pune Soap Recycling operation will provide clean soap and hygiene education to 20 schools in the slums, serving 4000+ children. This program is inclusive to schools educating children with learning disabilities, who face an especially high need for basic hygiene products and health education.

Cass Clay – FM LGBT Film Festival

2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

The FM LGBT Film festival grew out of a Queer Film Series that took place in the Fall of 2008 at MSUM. The first festival took place at The Fargo Theater in June of 2009. The festival is juried by a representative jury and regularly draws in original and current film and video from both nationally and internationally recognized filmmakers. This year we are heading towards our 9th Annual Festival! The festival consists of four screenings over a two day period, each screening with unique content. The festival serves the entire Fargo-Moorhead community, with a special focus on the local LGBTQIAA community.

Pittsburgh, PA – Free Art PGH

2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

I organize drops around the city with local artists. We plant free prints, and art around the city in the form of scavenger hunts. Follow us on Instagram @freeartpgh Its been a way to bring the art community together and get people outside. There has been tons of good feedback from locals and artists alike. Please check out the link provided to find out more! I have had much luck and joy doing this project. through Instagram we organize Drop days and we send out hints and post photos of places to go and find the art. It's also a way for the artists to promote themselves and allow people to know who they are and appreciate their work. We have been doing around two drops a months with around 20'artists participating each time.

LA South Bay, CA (Inactive) – WASUP Days! Wheelchair Adapted Stand Up Paddle Day

2017-05-11T00:00:00Z

Adaptive Freedom Foundation is a nonprofit based in HI. We build Versatility Boards, standup paddle boards adapted to secure a wheelchair, and holds paddle days. Paddle days are free and open to the public. A typical paddle day has 5 people. We have had as few as 2 and as many as 38. We provide hope and fun by giving people with disabilities or limitations, who previously couldn't get out on a SUP the opportunity to do so. Right now we are operating on Oahu and plan on growing onto the outer islands and Californa. We are starting our next chapter in California. We are looking at Marina Del Rey as great place to hold our WASUP paddle days.We have had lots of requests on instagram to bring our boards to people all over the world. I am from Huntington Beach, CA and can't wait to make SoCal a home base for Adaptive Freedom Foundation! We believe if we can get a wheelchair out on the water, there's nothing we can't do! We believe this opens the minds of the paddlers to other possibilities! The ocean has such healing powers and there is such a peace about paddling across the water. We can't help but want to share it! We put smiles on faces and hope in hearts! We think that's kinda awesome!

San Francisco, CA – Drag Queen Story Hour

2017-05-11T00:00:00Z

DRAG QUEEN STORY HOUR is exactly what you think: local Drag Queens reading stories to children in libraries and schools. Drag Queen Story Hour captures the imagination and play of the gender fluidity in childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where people can present as they wish, where dress up is real. Created by Michelle Tea and RADAR Productions in San Francisco, DQSH now happens regularly in LA, New York, and San Francisco, and events are popping up in other cities across the US, Canada, and the UK!

Philadelphia, PA – Volunteering Untapped PHL

2017-05-10T00:00:00Z

What happens when you bring together 100 volunteers for a few hours of do-gooding and a celebratory round of drinks? An awesome (and productive) Saturday! Volunteering Untapped PHL (VU-PHL) is designed to habitualize volunteering for young people in Philly, fostering community connectedness and launching a lifelong love of civic engagement. This simple yet brilliant concept is imported from Baltimore: on the second Saturday of the month, we volunteer with a nonprofit organization for 3 hours, then host an afterparty at a nearby bar. The nonprofits we volunteer with are diverse in their size, cause, and needs to keep events impactful and unique. VU-PHL makes it so volunteers only need to “sign up and show up” for the events—things like water, tools, and materials are all provided. That plus the draw of networking and socializing makes it easy to come back each month. Our friends in Baltimore are attracting 200 plus volunteers each event—a number we hope to approach by the end of our first year. With this critical mass of volunteer hours, we will be able to: 1. Expand the range of feasible projects for a given organization—either by scale (huge project) or efficiency (many small projects in one day) 2. Engage both lifelong Philadelphia residents and recent transplants in the communities they share 3. Make volunteering a habit that sticks with this crucial group, who can further build Philly’s nonprofit ecosystem In addition to the nearly 2,000 volunteer hours—or roughly $25,000 worth of volunteer labor—we’ll be developing future community leaders. We strive to connect them with people they might not meet if they move to NY or DC before truly engaging with a city that gives them so much. We’re dedicated to establishing a diverse and talented group that has the capacity and desire to make the city a better place, but can’t make it to the soup kitchen at 11AM on a Tuesday. With your help, we will reach nearly 800 of those folks by year end. We’ll drink to that.

Birmingham, AL (Inactive) – Youthbuild

2017-05-10T00:00:00Z

The Dannon Project was founded by Jeh Jeh Pruitt and his wife, Kerri Pruitt, in 1999. The organization was named after Dannon Pruitt, Jeh Jeh's youngest brother, who was killed by a person that had been recently released from prison on a non-violent offense. Kerri believed that if this young man had a strong support system after his release that he would probably have made better choices about how he used his time maybe preventing Dannon's death. The Dannon Project obtained non-profit status in October 2003. It was established to help people in transition, especially those with addictions on the road to recovery, unemployed, underemployed, young adults, and ex-offender reenter society. Our system of intensive case management and referrals allow us to begin working with previously incarcerated persons six months prior to release. The goal of our effective prison reentry services is to interrupt the cycle of recidivism and help people successfully return to the community. This means making sure they are prepared for the transitions before they are released and helping them over time when challenges arise. In addition to the reentry program, we offer help to young adults and some of our participants even receive chances for college education. We help restore all of these lives through providing supportive assistance through short term training,educating them in financial literacy, helping them obtain their GED, certifications, job preparation, and job placement. We work with different industries to help each participant attain and keep these jobs. Our estimated job retention rate after two years for our participants that have completed the program is 96 percent! We help to repair, restore, and renew not only these lives but also the lives of their families and community by giving them second chances for achieving life success.

San Jose, CA – H.E.R.O.I.C.

2017-05-09T00:00:00Z

Since I was a teenager, I have struggled with depression. As a kid, the worst feeling about depression was feeling like I was the only kid struggling with it. Being the only one of my friends who felt that way was frustrating. But as an adult, I have realized that I thought I was the only one because nobody talks about it. From my family to my friends, to even my teachers, depression wasn't a topic of discussion. So I've aimed to create art where depression would be at the forefront so that the conversation could be normalized. Thus, I wrote a novel titled HEROIC. HEROIC displays the life of a young boy, Revenant, who’s a sword wielding hero hiding in a world where heroism is illegal and Super Villains run rampant. But when he saves the family of a young girl, his unlawful heroic actions put the lives of the family in jeopardy which forces Revenant to join a deadly tournament that urges him to forsake his great teacher's one rule, Do Not Kill. In heroic, the main character struggles with depression but still manages to be a hero even though most days, he doesn't have the energy or the will to be one. He just powers through on not the strength of his own, but the people who need him most. The story is told through the eyes of the people around Revenant and is a story of how they perceive him. However, accompanying the novel Is a hip-hop album that I've written that tells the same story as the novel except this time, you get it all from Revenant's perspective so that the pain and inner thoughts of someone struggling with depression. The special part of this awesome project is that when the music is performed on stage, it is in the form of a musical where we tell the story once more but through song and theatrical performance. All this to show children who feel like I did that not only are they not alone, but depression doesn't make you weak because even someone with superpowers can be depressed and still make a difference.

Asheville, NC (Inactive) – Cancer Transitions:Moving Beyond Treatment

2017-05-08T00:00:00Z

There is life after treatment! Cancer Transitions:Moving Beyond Treatment is a cancer survivorship program. This four-week session is the next step for cancer survivors completing active treatment. This program helps cancer survivors discover the benefits of exercise, nutrition, emotional well-being, side effect management, and support. This is their first step to move forward after treatment to restore health and thrive in life. Sessions are free of charge! We rely on program sponsors to cover the cost of food, program rental space, printing of handouts, and printing of flyers, Program facilitators are specially trained and volunteers.

Liverpool (Inactive) – Bootle tool shed

2017-05-08T00:00:00Z

Our project is a community workshop that brings adults together to partake in diy projects and repair or refurbish unwanted item such as furniture or other household items instead of them going to landfill, we encourage all adults to get involved rather than sitting at home alone. We are a newly formed CIO and we are members of the UK mens shed association, we work in a disused retail unit in the strand shopping centre Bootle, our aim is bring the community together and do our bit to end social isolation and create a safe creative place to socialise whether thats building a garden planter or having a game of pool in our comfort area where members can also sit and chat . All of our team are volunteers no one earns anything from Bootle tool shed any money raised or earned from sellung the odd bird table goes back into the project.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Statue

2017-05-08T00:00:00Z

The Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Statue Fund, Inc. a 501 (c)(3) organization is raising funds for the creation, placement and endowment of a bronze sculpture of and honoring women’s rights pioneers Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. For the first time in Central Park’s 163-year history, there will be a statue of and honoring real women in Central Park. Erecting a statue honoring Stanton and Anthony will right a major historical wrong – there are presently 23 statues of and honoring real men and NONE of real women. Women are represented by statues of Mother Goose, Alice in Wonderland, and Juliet (embraced by Romeo). By honoring Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, New York City will be celebrating the largest non-violent revolution in the history of this nation – the battle for women’s suffrage. The monument will also highlight the participation of other women, including women of color, who were instrumental in the movement. With permission from the New York City Parks Department and support of the Central Park Conservancy, we have been given the site immediately south of the West 77th Street entrance to Central Park, ideally situated near the New York Historical Society and Museum of Natural History. Thousands of school children pass the site on school trips to those institutions. Contributions will help us meet a $500,000 challenge grant from the New York Life Insurance Company. We have raised over $250,000 to date; overall budget is $1-1.3 million, depending on final design and site modifications. The higher figure would include a docent program for outreach to schools and for other park visitors. Our goal is to unveil the statue by August, 2020, the 100th anniversary of women winning the vote by passage of the 19th Amendment. The statue will provide a focal point for celebrations of women's history, including the centennial of women winning the vote, when the statue is unveiled in 2020.

Whangarei (Inactive) – Art and Craft Supply De-stash & Swap

2017-05-05T00:00:00Z

There is a huge artistic community in Whangarei and after talking to a heap of different makers I know they have all said they have tonnes of unused art and craft supplies in their studios that they'd like to be able to hand on to others. AND they would also love the chance to swap or shop for new supplies they need. The purpose of this market will be to re-use, re-cycle and re-vamp the art and craft supplies that have been gathering in peoples storage areas and will most likely never make it to their production area. It's a chance to get your de-STASH and re-STASH on! I also want to have "FREE STUFF" tables where people can contribute and take from these tables as they feel they need to. Whatever isn't taken at the end of the day will be donated to Hospice. I hope this will become a regular event and will be run twice a year. If successful this Awesome grant will be seed funding to start the event off and I imagine it will then be able to fund itself from there on in.

Annapolis, NS (Inactive) – Teens & Kids Free Summer Art Workshops & Art Club

2017-05-04T00:00:00Z

Thanks to artist Monica Forrestall, and with the support of Awesome Annapolis, there will now be a FREE art-specific series of workshops for children and youth taking place this summer in Annapolis Royal. Two of the workshops also offer an opportunity for teens/kids to exhibit their artwork, if they choose, to a large audience at both the Annapolis Valley Exhibition and in collaboration with Fort Anne during Paint The Town weekend. The Fort Anne National Historic Site workshop, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the park, will be an added event to promote for this most wonderful celebration for our beautiful town. The creating of a summer arts club for kids offers positive creative-gathering opportunities for the youth of the town and area. With local artists agreeing to drop in on the workshops, there will be opportunities for more art relationships being forged between different generations of artists in the town. Email annapolis@awesomefoundation.org to be added to the list to receive details on how to sign up once they become available.

Oakland, CA (Inactive) – FIGMENT Oakland

2017-05-04T00:00:00Z

Stockholm (Inactive) – Utsattas röster ska eka!

2017-05-03T00:00:00Z

Vi tycker att det är dags att både politiker och allmänheten börjar lyssna på de våldtäktsutsattas röster! Föreningen Tillsammans är av och för personer som har blivit utsatta för sexuellt våld. De är en plats för stöd och gemenskap där unga kan omvandla sina erfarenheter till kompetenser och i sin tur skapa visselblåsare mot sexuellt våld. Awesome Foundation stödjer föreningen i att ta fram fyra kortfilmer till Almedalen som kommer visas på stängda möten med politiker, under debatter och för allmänheten. På uppdrag av regeringen har sexualbrottskommittén föreslagit att bland annat ändra dagens brottsrubricering från våldtäkt till sexuellt övergrepp. De menar att då fysiskt våld inte alltid förekommer vid våldtäkter är våldtäkt ett olämpligt ord. Föreningen Tillsammans hävdar motsatsen. Tanken med filmerna är att utsatta själva får berätta varför det är viktigt för just dom att ha kvar ordet våldtäkt. Det är de våldtäktsutsatta som i slutändan kommer drabbas mest av den här ändringen och då är det självklart att de ska vara drivande i debatten!

Atlanta, GA (Inactive) – Ladies In Waiting, Inc.

2017-05-02T00:00:00Z
Our community based program strives to Empower and Enrich the lives of teen girls in the Metro Atlanta area. We are a Girls Leadership/Mentoring Program. Our mission is to support girls in grades 8-12 as they transition from teen into adulthood. We encourage them to abstain from behaviors that may be detrimental to there well being, i.e. sex, drugs, alcohol, and gang activity, while helping them learn the skills they need to be successful after high school. We focus on teaching our girls about Life Skills, Character Development, Etiquette & Manners, while exposing them to life beyond where they live. We take them on field trips that range from educational and college tours to recreational experiences like Atlanta Hawks and Dream Basketball games. As a part of our program, our girls are also taught the importance of serving the community and we involve them in as many Community service activities that we can during the school year.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Shuar/ Saraguro Indigenous Artisen Jewelry Coop.

2017-05-01T00:00:00Z
Our goal is to establish a cooperative organization to promote and sell the artisanal beaded jewelry of the indigenous Shuar and Saraguro people of Ecuador. Located in Guadalupe, a small town in the Southern province of Zamora-Chichinpe, our project will enable indigenous women to increase regional and global market awareness of their uniquely beautiful hand-crafted beaded jewelry. Creating beaded jewelry is integral to the cultural identify of both the Shuar and Saraguro people. By enhancing artisans’ business skills and access to internet technology, the Shuar and Saraguro women will increase sales and help stabilize family income. In the mostly subsistence economy of southern Ecuador, Shuar and Saraguro women sell beaded jewelry to supplement their family income. Establishing a jewelry cooperative will enable women to expand the geographic market for selling jewelry beyond the surrounding area accessible by 5-10 hour bus rides. A jewelry cooperative will establish an internet presence to increase awareness and educate the world about the culture and ecological values of the Shuar and Saraguro people. Additionally, a cooperative will educate artisans about business planning and coordinate production among artisans’ to accommodate market demand. The Saraguro people, as an agrarian culture, have a history of using the cooperative organizational model to purchase and share trucks and tools for farming. Please see the twelve-page business plan: Preserving and Promoting the Culture, Heritage and Artisanship of the Saraguro and Shuar People 2017

Melbourne (Inactive) – Kitestring

2017-04-30T00:00:00Z
Despite the rise of social networking, close friendship is going the way of the dinosaurs: extinct. The average size of our close friendship circles is shrinking and as many as 1 in 4 of us have no close friends at all. So in an era where we are more connected than ever before, why do we have less close people? With increased mobility, how to do we get connected in new cities? In a radically changed 'village', how do we make sure parenthood strengthens our social connections instead of fraying them? Kitestring is Melbourne-based human-centred design project dedicated to answering these questions and more, for humans and dinosaurs alike. We've spent over a year on a design-research deep-dive, interviewing people from many walks of life and reading everything we could get our hands on. Out of this we've produced a report (a small book, really) summarising our insights so far. You can view our (nearly final) draft at http://bit.ly/2o9g3jM We are now at the stage of printing and launching this report. We will distribute the PDF and upload stories to our website, but having a high-quality hardcopy is critical to recruiting partners for the next phase: trying things out. I'm aware you don't like fund marketing, so rest assured spreading the report is more: it's core to the impact we've want to create. Friends who've read it have already gone and tried new things in their lives. I also hear you like projects that other people won't fund, so you'll love us. Most funders want you to start with an idea (we started with a question) or do academic research (we took an action-focused design research approach). So up until now we've poured our own time and money into this passion project. Unfortunately the quote we just got for printing has us digging so deep into our pockets that we're coming out with lint. Hence this awesome opportunity for you folks to help us avoid our own extinction event and get the project to the next stage.

North Minneapolis, MN – Jazz Soul

2017-04-30T00:00:00Z
I have been making food for the community, serving one "Soul" at a time. Food brings families together to be able to eat, laugh and make more memories. Everyone in the community reaches out to me to make them meals and deserts. I want to be able to expand what I am doing to reach more people. I have done free BBQs for the homeless, gave out free hygien kita for the homeless and bring good comfort food into peoples home. I want to bring the community together and do a big cook out, have games for the kids, activites and music.

Disability – Disability Arts Project Uganda

2017-04-30T00:00:00Z
Disability Art Project Uganda, (DAPU), is a community of people with disabilities who come together with the aim of empowering others with disabilities to develop practical skills, confidence and fulfill their creative potential. We offer art and design skills to such individuals who reside on the streets, villages and in the slums to create unique products with the goal of providing economic stability. We conduct our mobile workshops in different places which include Kansanga Kampala, and Mayuge district where we are afforded with free space to implement our vision. In Uganda it is estimated that 80%of people with disabilities are unemployed. This is attributed to the fact that most of them attain little to no education because of family denial and poor school grounds that lack accommodation to those with disabilities. This has led for such individuals to run to the streets, begging for survival and living in poor situations. DAPU believes that the arts and design are social tools that can solve these challenges given the fact that Uganda has a large arts community and a growing market. What our trustees are saying: "I like it because it's a great project by a person with a disability that addresses a real need and their goals are realistic. I especially liked that they created a detailed and accurate budget for what they plan to do with the money."

Libraries (Inactive) – Serbia: Refugee and Migrant Library

2017-04-30T00:00:00Z
Mainstream rhetoric conveys notions to refugee aid providers that all refugees and migrants need are food, clothing, and shelter. Because of this, a substantial amount of funding directly targets acquiring clothing donations, food distribution, and the running of refugee camps. While the need for these services were critical in the beginning stages of the refugee crisis and during the winter months, aid continues to disproportionately stream into these areas while leaving enrichment activities and basic education behind. For people forcibly displaced from their home countries, being surrounded by the Serbian language and script can be difficult and confusing. Having access to books in their native tongue would provide considerable comfort while waiting for asylum. In particular, aid groups have difficulty finding activities for female refugees that stay within the bounds of cultural norms. This project will create a library for refugees and migrants in transit in Belgrade, Serbia coming from war-torn and underdeveloped countries. Currently, around 1,500 to 2,000 Urdu speaking refugees and migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan, 2,500-3,000 Farsi speaking refugees from Afghanistan and Iran, and 1,400 from Syria and other Middle East countries are stranded in transit in Serbia, attempting to find safety and security in Europe. In conversations, Jasmine discovered that many refugees requested access to reading material to expand their knowledge as they wait for their name to be accepted for various asylum enabling lists. Alongside their European language classes here in Belgrade, many refugees crave to fill their abundant free time with continued basic education while waiting for their refugee and migrant applications to be processed. With a grant from the Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Fund and help from on-the-ground activists in Pakistan, Jasmine was able to collect a number of books for refugee enrichment and learning in the Urdu language. With a successful GoFundMe page, Jasmine funded the shipping of the cargo from Pakistan to Serbia. The Awesome Foundation funding will add Pashto, Farsi, and Arabic language material to the library. With the availability of this material, Syrian refugees (who mainly live in refugee camps scattered throughout Serbia) and Afghani refugees and migrants who don’t speak Urdu will have access to reading material as well. Reading material includes textbooks, non-fiction books, poetry, novels, children’s books, and beginner script books for teaching language. Books will be purchased from bookstores in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. The library will be maintained by the Education Center in downtown Belgrade and managed by the local NGOs Refugee Aid Serbia and North Star. This open library will be accessible to all refugees and migrants in Serbia. A webpage and social media presence, with bookstore contacts details, will highlight the libraries creation process in order to inspire similar projects in countries receiving refugees and migrants. {forthcoming} What our grantee has to say: “Aid culture praises projects that can report immediate results, such as numbers of refugees housed, clothed, or fed in a given month due to their funding. Education and enrichment from a library is more difficult to measure. I plan for this library to set an example for similar projects along the refugee path and in refugee camps. Through spreading positive impact anecdotes about refugee and migrants in this particular library on social media, aid culture as a whole can slowly shift to respond to real-time on the ground needs. More libraries and enrichment courses can be proposed and funded. I'm so grateful for the Innovation in Libraries AF Chapter for providing the resources to expand the refugee and migrant library in Belgrade, Serbia to include literature in Farsi, Pashto and Arabic. The grant will positively influence thousands of people enduring the treacherous journey from conflict stricken and opportunity deprived regions. Sustainable educational and enrichment efforts are crucial to making aid well-rounded. I hope this library inspires more of its kind throughout the refugee and migrant route to Europe." - Jasmine Passa, Fulbright Scholar, Niš, Serbia What our trustees have to say: “I find this to be quite relevant...and a creative way of addressing language barriers faced by refugees.” “This project is sustainable and has far-reaching results for the refugees and migrants who draw from it. It will be possible to maintain beyond the grant applicant's time in Serbia and will continue to provide resources for its community.” “This project showed a practical pathway forward to benefit a very real challenge facing the global community. Many studies have demonstrated the huge detrimental impact of the extended boredom and isolation refugees experience. The application showed a considered idea, including ideas of how the project would be maintained and shared.”

Alaska (Inactive) – Jim Bell Songbook

2017-04-30T00:00:00Z
I am currently producing an album of songs by the late Alaskan composer Jim Bell (1943-2007), thanks to an Individual Artist Award from The Rasmuson Foundation. For 40 years, Composer/Lyricist/Pianist James C. Bell entertained at the Palace Saloon in Fairbanks, Alaska. A consummate entertainer, "Jimmy Bluebell" captivated crowds with his catchy lyrics, beautiful melodies, and impeccable command of all things “show biz.” His timeless, uniquely Alaskan tunes captured the hearts of the adventurous souls who flocked to the Last Frontier in the 60s and 70s. In these rowdy Pipeline-era days, the Palace was the place to be. Can-can cuties kicked; mustachioed bartenders slung stiff drinks; and Jim’s songs pulsed with the lifeblood of the boisterous community. Jim’s music is dear to many Alaskans, but especially to me since my parents fell in love performing his songs at the Palace. I’m honored that Marlene Bell, Jim’s widow, has bequeathed the copyright to Jim’s music to me in her will. As the eventual heir to Jim's lifetime body of work, I feel a responsibility to celebrate the music that brought my parents and so many others together in Alaska's Golden Heart City. The Jim Bell Project is a synthesis of several of my artistic passions: vocals, piano, songwriting, and theatre/performance. There is something about Jim’s music that speaks to me on a cellular level. Since I quite literally heard his songs in utero, they stayed with me. I consider the songs Jim created a time capsule of Fairbanks life from Gold Rush days through the 80s. Watching Jim from a young age, I learned about the palpable energy exchange between stage and audience. I learned how to rehearse a single phrase until it was just right. I learned that pace and humor can separate an amateur from a professional. Above all, I learned that the community you create in the room is what keeps people coming back to hear more. Please let Jim's music speak for itself at: https://soundcloud.com/jimmy-bluebell

Austin, TX – The Dobie Middle School Family Resource Center

2017-04-30T00:00:00Z
The Dobie Middle School Family Resource Center is part of one of Austin Voices for Education and Youth’s Family Resource Centers. The resource center was created when concerned individuals noticed that the closest food bank to 78753 and 78758 was too far away to service those in need within the community. Ninety-six percent of the students who attend Dobie Middle School are on free or reduced lunch, so there was definitely the need for a food pantry within walking distance of the school. Subsequently, the Dobie Middle School Family Resource Center began operating in October of 2016. The primary activities of the Dobie Middle School Family Resource Center are supplying families in need with nutritious food, needed clothing, and various medical services. The Center also function as a wrap-around support for the surrounding community, with a social worker to refer families to needed services and a free library of books English, Spanish, Chinese, and Burmese for any family who wants them. A $1000 grant from the Austin Awesome Foundation will provide funding to keep the Center open during the summer months.

Northern Virginia (NOVA) (Inactive) – The Deaf Poets Society

2017-04-29T00:00:00Z
The Deaf Poets Society is an online literary journal that publishes poetry, prose, cross-genre work, reviews of Deaf or disability-focused books, interviews/miscellany, and art by D/deaf and/or disabled writers and artists. Founded in March 2016, our mission is to provide a venue for D/deaf and disability literature and art, as well as to connect readers with established and emerging talent in the field. But in addition to being an online journal, we're also interested in acting as a collective for the Deaf and disabled community. To do this, we're working on presenting events and workshops in the community. We're lucky to have our first reading coming up in mid-February at The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Maryland, and we're looking to host more in the Northern Virginia area, as well.

Northern Virginia (NOVA) (Inactive) – Legacy Farmers Giving Back

2017-04-29T00:00:00Z
Legacy Farms is a local nonprofit in Leesburg, Va. We provide agrarian based job training for adults with autism and other developmental challenges. Each year, we grow about a half acre of produce and donate it to the local food bank. Our participants have donated roughly 700 pounds in two years. Every year, our Legacy Farmers Giving Back initiative works with a local organization to build and maintain a garden, as long as it serves one of the requirements below: -To provide food for those in need -To use as a teaching resource -To use as a therapeutic resource This year we are partnering with a local home for people with disabilities to get a garden program started at the home. The garden would allow them to grow healthier food options, save money on produce and learn more about growing their own food. This is a community-wide effort between Legacy Farms and the residents and families of the home. There is a growing body of literature on the general benefits of community gardening. Many of them mention health and wellbeing benefits, while others focus on the therapeutic benefits of gardening itself. We feel this would be a great way to do both and provide

Northern Virginia (NOVA) (Inactive) – SCHS Lorton Library Tutoring Program

2017-04-29T00:00:00Z
The South County High School Lorton Library Program is reaching out to you, to help improve our local community and change the lives of high school students for the better. If you are not familiar with it, our after-school tutoring program was established to improve the grades and opportunities of students from low income neighborhoods within our local community, and it stems from the belief that every student matters. We work to promote student success and to provide accessible educational support. Through the program students receive tutoring in all of the core subjects but also we provide free food by both Panera Donations as well as food prepared by our high school Gourmet Foods Class. For some students this is some of the only warm food they will receive after coming home from school. It is our belief that education takes place both inside and outside the classroom, and our hope is that the connections we form with students outside of school will be as important is their in-school experiences. Lorton Library Tutoring provides opportunity for this kind of education; our tutors become mentors to struggling students and leave lasting impressions on the lives that they reach within our community. Unfortunately, we currently have insufficient funds to continue the program for the duration of this school year. Without your financial support, we will be forced to shut our doors before standardized testing begins in May, truly putting in jeopardy some of our most struggling students. However, your participation would allow us to continue impacting the lives of these students through academic help and mentorship. Please help us inspire, engage, and empower students to work towards their dreams. Please help them discover the power and opportunity education holds and ultimately change the world.

Yerevan – Ավիամոդելավորման Լաբորատորիա Եղեգնաձորում

2017-04-28T00:00:00Z
Մենք երկու ընկերներով Եղեգնաձորում փորձում ենք ստեղծել ավիամոդելավորման լաբորատորիա, որտեղ կպատրաստենք հեռակառավարվող ինքնաթիռներ, ուղաթիռներ ու կվադրոկոպտերներ։ Առաջին մոդելը, որի վրա արդեն սկսել ենք աշխատել ռուսական ՄԻ–24 ռազմական ուղաթիռի ռադիոկառավարվող մոդելն է 1/10 մասշտաբով։ Այս մոդելի ռադիոկառավառվող ուղաթիռն այս մասշտաբով շուկայում արժի մոտ $5000. Մոդելը պատրաստելուց հետո կարող ենք այն վաճառել և գնել նոր սարքավորումներ ու նյութեր լաբորատորիան ընդլայնելու համար։

Newcastle – PEACH NITE SPOT 40th Anniversary Mardi Gras Float

2017-04-27T00:00:00Z
PEACH NITE SPOT is a safe place for the LGBTQI community of Newcastle to be able to come and have a great night. The last 2 nights have pulled over 300 people and it's done on a very limited budget and often it comes out of organiser Luke's own pocket. He started Peach to get the community back involved in their scene. PEACH nite spot will enter a float in the 40th anniversary Mardi Gras called "Queen of the lighthouse". There will be a truck which will look like the Pasha Bulker at the from and it will lead back to Nobby's Lighthouse with the Queen of the Lighthouse watching over the marchers, dressed as stunning steel workers, lovely lifeguards, Lady Susan Gilmore's and other Iconic Newcastle attractions to show off how beautiful the city of Newcastle really is.

Twin Cities, MN (Inactive) – Drum, Grow, Sow!

2017-04-26T00:00:00Z
On a weekly basis during the summer months, Heart and Soul Drum Academy (HSDA) youth students from the Somalian Rondo Community will gather at Frogtown Farm (FF) to learn and participate in the universal language of music, specifically African drumming, as we revive the tradition of Griot (storytelling), which usually occurs around the simple pleasure of food from the good earth. By combining these two art forms in a community garden-fieldwork environment, our Somalian youth will gain hands-on experience playing music and gardening - cultivating the earth and themselves for a healthy wellbeing. Through HSDA and FF’s collaboration, we will help our youth develop creativity, discipline and leadership while showing them how to perform well with others in Common + Unity = Community, at the garden. HSDA teaches drumming and mentors students, ages three to 17. While doing so, HSDA also instills discipline and cultivates personal development of life skills such as leadership and management through the use of drum circles, which transfers into classroom, community and the world. Using the model of a 12-week summer drum and gardening program, students who have limited interaction with other diverse populations of our community will have the opportunity to learn the art of drumming and organic gardening. As the community responds to the universal language of music, their natural response is interactive communication. Using the adult mentorship of Babe Jesse (HSDA), the FF staff plus one interested Somali youth, who will learn to mentor HSDA students in the art of gardening through an internship role, the drum students and youth residents will learn life skills for the mind, body and soul as they share in the experiences of drumming classes and gardening activities. These skills include social interaction, leadership growth and development and personal knowledge of nutrition. Leadership skills will be developed by participating as drum circle leaders and fieldwork volunteers.

Minas Gerais (Inactive) – Garotas Amplificadas BH

2017-04-26T00:00:00Z
O Garotas Amplificadas BH consiste em oficina exclusiva para meninas adolescentes com aulas de instrumentos (baixo, guitarra, bateria e teclado), ensaio musical, espaços de expressão, reflexão de problemas de gênero e empoderamento de meninas através da música. Projeta-se uma atividade exclusiva para estudantes meninas com o fim de consolidar um espaço seguro onde a chave é estabelecer os laços de companheirismo e de solidariedade que desenvolvam ao máximo as potencialidades grupais e questionando o lugar da mulher na sociedade, sem competições. A escada da rocha é prototipicamente masculina e configuram-se estereótipos de gênero que interpelam sobre todas as jovens. Por isso, tomamos a música como facilitadora média para a reflexão sobre esses estereótipos, enganchar os horizontes de possibilidades das adolescentes e brindar ferramentas de empoderamento para aflorar a auto-estima. Objetivos: • Propulsar o protagonismo das estudantes; • Ferramentas de empoderamento; • Aflorar a auto-estima; • Reflexão sobre as construções de gênero; • Gerar os laços de pertencimento com a escola. As oficinas contemplam instrução de instrumentos, oficina de Stencil, oficina de defesa pessoal e da história da mulher na música/ empoderamento/ identidade e gênero. Somo um time de voluntárias formado por mulheres que acreditam que a música pode ser uma das chaves para a criação de laços de sororidade. Onde as meninas e as mulheres possam ser as protagonistas de suas próprias vidas.

Washington, DC – Literature & Laundry

2017-04-26T00:00:00Z
Literature & Laundry turns idle time into a fun time for kids "stuck" at a laundromat with nothing to do. Our unique literacy program gives away brand-new books to children at a DC laundromat and takes time to read with them. The impact is both intangible and measurable. Kids love getting new books and having an adult read with them or listen to them read. Parents love the positive attention we give to their kids. Other laundry patrons smile at the sight of the activity. And, the owner of the laundromat appreciates the wholesome atmosphere Literature & Laundry creates. Since 2013, we have enriched the lives of more than 100 young people, ages 3 – 17, and their families. Literature & Laundry is an original program of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church located in SE DC. Church members serve as volunteer "book buddies.” Volunteers must receive certification in Safeguarding God's Children, a child sexual abuse prevention training offered by the Episcopal Diocese of Washington. Literature & Laundry has raised books through donation drives and a Barnes & Noble bookfair. The vast majority of the books we give away are new (never been used). We shy away from gently used books because there is a wide variance in what people perceive to be "gently-used." We simply don’t want the kids we serve to get yet another hand-me-down. Additionally, Literature & Laundry asks for donations of Newberry award-winning books to ensure that kids get top quality stories for enhancing their perceptive reading skills. All in al, Literature & Laundry inspires joy for all involved. Thank you for this opportunity to share our story and request support.

Tallahassee, FL (Inactive) – Sell It Tallahassee

2017-04-25T00:00:00Z
Sell It Tallahassee is an event series created by Qultur, a local nonprofit that works with local artists and businesses to increase public safety. There is one question that we have heard more than any other in our one year of work here in Tallahassee: How can we bridge the gap between art and entrepreneurship? The answer thus far has been to hold community meetings, or panel sessions with entrepreneurs and artists and speak to them at that level. There are a couple issues with this solution. First, artists do not attend panel discussions. Second, the majority of artists do not consider themselves entrepreneurs, so when entrepreneurs are lecturing about that realm, artists feel uncomfortable. The solution that Qultur has come up with is Sell It Tallahassee: a community microfunding initiative to fund local artists, and also help artists hone in on and practice entrepreneurial skills. People pay $5 to get in. The money raised at the door is put into a pot. For example, if 100 people come, the pot would be $500. Three artists take turns “pitching” their art to the crowd. They have to tell the crowd their story, where they’re from, what their art means to them, and so on. By doing this, they are truly honing in on their entrepreneurial, social, and storytelling skills. After the pitches there is time reserved for a Q&A with each artist. After the Q&A the crowd votes on ballots who had the best “pitch.” The ballots are counted and the winning artist earns all the money raised at the door. The first Sell It Tallahassee was on Friday, March 10th 2017. The winning artist, Elton Burgest earned $70 to put towards his own unique clothing line. What makes this event special is that the money raised is thoughtful. People attend because they care. It shows the artists that there are people in this community who are interested in them and their work. Sell It Tallahassee is bridging the gap between art and entrepreneurship, microfunding for local artists, and building community.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Girl Represent

2017-04-24T00:00:00Z
Girl Represent’s goal is to inspire middle school girls of color to become civically involved in their community and connect them with women of color already involved in politics. Women of color only constitute 7.1% of the 115th Congress and 5.4% of state legislatures. This lack of representation reinforces the message that there isn't room at the table for girls of color. Girl Represent aims to change that by helping girls identify ways they can make an impact in their community and pairing them with role models. The current Kickstarter campaign is to fund the development of a workbook full of exercises that will help girls: - Identify problems opportunities in their communities - Identify strengths that they bring to the table - Define what makes a good leader (and how they can be one) - Define tangible ways they can make a difference - Articulate what they learned To refine the workbook I want to take it on tour this summer and hold workshops in cities around the country. The workshops will bring girls and women of color in politics together to walk through the exercises. During half-day workshops, girls will be paired with women who are involved in local politics or civic leadership. Together they will share their experiences and come up with ideas around driving impact in their communities. The workshop will follow a structure like this: 20 Min Warm Up 10 Min Introductions 30 Min Partner Sessions (partnering girls and women) 30 Min Q&A w/ the women 20 Min Breakout Activity 30 Min Action Sessions 20 Min Presentations 20 Min Debrief The first workshop will be in Nashville, TN on June 3rd at the Oasis Center. I have partnered with some amazing local youth organizations to help with recruiting and promotion, but I want to bring workshops to as many cities as I can this summer.

Sydney – Playgroups in The Park

2017-04-23T00:00:00Z
Playgroups in The Park is the only free family fun day available for children under school age (0-5years old) in City of Sydney LGA particularly in Redfern, Waterloo, Darlington, Eveleigh and Alexandria area. It runs from 10:00AM to 1:30PM three times a year. It has been running for 17 years with various support from local services to fund it as we never secure a continuous support from any government or non-government funders. The purpose of this event is to provide a safe, community focus event for parents with young children for free on regular basis. The aim is to facilitate a space for local service providers (child care centres, early childhood health services, women and children services, local schools and community/neighbourhood centres) to meet with the local community members, particularly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities who reside in this area. We provide wide range of entertainments for children such as jumping castle, animal farm, puppet show, pony rides, music and movement activity, face painting and many others. The parents/carers will have the opportunity to enquire to the information stalls regarding their children or their needs. We provide light morning tea which includes fresh fruits, cheese buns, water and juices.

Moscow (Inactive) – "Сказки у камина" (связь поколений)

2017-04-22T00:00:00Z
Основная цель проекта – налаживание связей между поколениями невзирая на разницу в возрасте и расстояния – Каждому ребенку нужна настоящая бабушка, а каждый пожилой человек может дарить любовь малышам! Бабушки и дедушки приходят в детский сад почитать сказку, провести кулинарный мастер-класс по выпечке блинов или печений, поучаствовать в театральной постановке или уроке рисования. А малыши навещают бабушек и дедушек со своими концертами или спектаклями, для чаепитий или просто, что бы поиграть вместе. С одной стороны мы системно занимаемся организацией процесса дружбы и общения старичков и малышей, с другой стороны изучаем международный опыт, перерабатываем его и внедряем в России. Основных задач перед проектом поставлено несколько: 1) для пожилых людей 80+, проживающих в домах престарелых - это интересный досуг, это возможность общаться с малышами (не у всех есть собственные внуки и правнуки, а если они и есть, то могут редко навещать своих стариков), это возможность почувствовать свою социальную значимость, делая что-то с детьми и передавая им опыт, избавление от страха одиночества - ребята всегда радуются встречи с бабушками и дедушками. 2) для малышей - это возможность вырасти без страха перед старостью и без желания "спрятать" старость своих близких, как что-то не нужное и не угодное. Научившись обходиться со стариками, с людьми, страдающими от деменции, малыши, а позднее молодые и взрослые люди, смотрят в будущее проще - они знают, как это "стареть", они прошли этот опыт и впитали его разве что не с молоком матери. 3) средние поколения - это самые сложные участники проекта, так как именно им, родителям малышей и детям стариков в возрасте от 30 до 60, очень сложно принять старость в себе. Поэтому, открывая двери домов престарелых, мы показываем, что дети из детского сада и старики из дома престарелых - это путь не разных людей, а на протяжении жизни это один и тот же человек, чья жизнь может быть эмоционально наполнена или одинока и это в наших руках.

Detroit, MI – Hope House Detroit's & Teen Council's Cafe

2017-04-22T00:00:00Z
Hello! Hope House Detroit (HHD) is a small non-profit on the East side of Detroit, in the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood. What began as a couple buying a house to stay part-time in the community where they attended church has since turned into an amazing and safe place for the youth who live nearby. It started out small - a basketball hoop where mostly the teen guys came to play and hang out - and has grown into six programs being offered (serving kids from Elementary School through High School) and much more! One of our newest programs, spearheaded by my friend and co-leader, Riley, is a Teen Council (TC) which currently consists of three High School ladies who have exhibited consistent involvement and leadership skills in our community. We meet every other Friday to learn about, develop, and practice being leaders. These inspiring young people have done everything from assisting with the large, special events that take place at HHD throughout the summer, to researching and planning their own service projects. Now, as the founders of HHD have dreamed up their next project - a café-like space in the house where kids of all ages can hang out, read, and express themselves creatively - the young woman of Teen Council have been called upon to help design and plan the space, a super exciting opportunity! They have already visited a similar space for research purposes, have brainstormed ideas about the cafe's purpose and mission, as well as what the physical space will be itself. Now they are in the process of drafting a proposal for the project, which will be submitted to the founders and leaders of HHD for approval before the necessary construction work begins.

Moscow (Inactive) – В гостях у сказки

2017-04-22T00:00:00Z
В Республике Башкортостан близ города Благовещенск находится детский лагерь "Зарница". Долгое время он принадлежал нефтеперерабатывающим заводам, но они от него отказались. Хорошо, что нашлись люди, всей душой и сердцем переживающие за сохранение прекрасного уголка Детства. Не для кого не секрет, что организация летнего отдыха для детей - это не рентабельный, а социальный бизнес. Прибыли хватает только, что бы содержать жилые корпуса и хозяйственные постройки. Но детям нужны не только они. Детям нужна сказка. Мы совместно с детьми, разработали целую серию прекрасных сказочных островков на территории лагеря: "Лукоморье", "Дом для светлячков", "Скамья примирения", тропа здоровья. Для создания которых необходимы огромное желание, творческий подход и немного средств.

Kingston – Going to the zoo,zoo,zoo

2017-04-21T00:00:00Z
The Special Events Committee is a group of community members support by KCHC to provide affordable trips and events to community members. Many of our families would not be able to experience the beach or the Toronto Zoo without our efforts. Each year we strive to take 150 community members to Toronto Zoo. Each bus costs almost 1,000 dollars, many of our families save all year to take their children to the Zoo, the cost to the families is the reduced admission price. Imagine a family of 4 the cost is 90$ for 2 children and 2 adults, plus the cost of any food or memorabilia from the trip. Many of our families struggle to make it through the month. We always have 3 full school buses signed up to go. The testimonials from trips past are poignant and lovely. Mothers reporting that they are as excited as their child to see the zoo, young men and women who have never left Kingston in their lives and generational family members spending time together. The sense of community and excitement is joyful.

Baltimore, MD – Bus Stop Buddies

2017-04-21T00:00:00Z
This project will be a film highlighting youth that participate in Bus Stop Buddies, a mentorship program in central Baltimore's Greenmount West Neighborhood. Bus Stop Buddies is a program that has adults from within the community standing at the bus stop with students in an effort to provide a positive start to their day. Activities that go down at Bus Stop Buddies include daily games of tag, hot chocolate on cold days, check-ins from Mr. Joe who works at the corner store, and introspective conversations between youth and adult community members. The premise of this film is to show the youth and spotlight their personalities and unique perspectives of their community. The film will be screened at the Charles Theatre to a crowd consisting of family, friends and neighbors. At the film screening, youth from the film will have the opportunity participate in a Q&A panel about their experience making the film. It will be an opportunity to spotlight the youth. They are very much excited that they will be in a movie shown at a movie theater!

Boulder, CO (Inactive) – Go Big Or Go Home: A Big Print Weekend

2017-04-21T00:00:00Z
The Boulder Creative Collective and the Flatiron Press are hosting a large format print workshop at the BCC Warehouse. Most machines are too small or too expensive to print large images so the alternative is "renting a construction steamroller" to roll over an inked 4ft x 4ft or a 4ft x 8ft wood block. The machine is $550 to rent and materials more but we're hoping to get enough participants to pay for some of the cost. The super fun part is its also a spectator sport so kids and adults can come and watch the prints happen. We have reached out for local businesses to sell food and with it being a day event and just off the bike path, we feel we will have lots of viewers.

South Bend, IN – People Frame

2017-04-20T00:00:00Z
A people frame is an oversized open picture frame that is strategically located at a spot within the city (Near Riverlights?) which allows people to climb into the frame and take pictures with the scenic background. There are a couple in Napa, see attached photos. In addition, my idea is to coordinate with City of South Bend marketing to create or tie into a hashtag so the users can post their pictures inside the frame. By doing this we provide a place for visitors to create memories and also promote our city at the same time in an interactive fun way. The frames are steel or alumimum with a concrete base.

South Bend, IN – MAKE SOUTH BEND Community Expansion

2017-04-20T00:00:00Z
MAKE SOUTH BEND has been South Bend's neighborhood makerspace for two years. And this year, we want to expand our space to provide a better makerspace for the community. With the expanded space, we will host free monthly maker nights and hope to join forces with the MakerHive as well. This would allow community members to come in and create together, learn from each other, and use our tools and expertise for the evening. These nights will hopefully provide the catalyst our community needs to foster more entrepreneurial makers. In our current space, we are a little cramped, but we have the chance to expand into the storefront next to ours as well. This will give us a large open space to work in and allow us to have a tech lab built in as well.