tag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:/ru/projects?page=103Awesome Foundation - Projects2015-02-20T05:36:34Ztag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/436132015-02-20T00:00:00Z2015-02-20T05:36:34ZOahu, HI – Peter's Prom (A special needs prom)Peter's Prom is an annual event designed for Oahu high-school students with special needs. It was started by two moms, both of whom have daughters with Down Syndrome.
It is run solely by volunteers consisting of family members, teachers, aids, skills trainers and friends who understand the needs of these special students and are dedicated to helping them enjoy a wonderful and memorable event.
We have no corporate sponsorship nor are we a registered organization. We are not affiliated with any high school or DOE. All fundraising is done purely by volunteers.
check out a sampling of last years prom.
http://youtu.be/GAO9r6bbDaEDeanna FerrickPeter's Prom (A special needs prom)United StatesOahu, HIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/oahutag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/433402015-02-19T00:00:00Z2015-02-19T16:39:19ZNew York City, NY – The Coalition Zine<em>The Coalition Zine is a global publication for young girls and non-binary babes of color to showcase their art, writing, thoughts and talents. The Zine started as a web-based publication from the mind of 17 year-old Fabiola Ching and has grown to include writing and photography editors. <strong>We are an entirely DIY operation of 16-22 year old girls working in our spare time to create a healthy creative space for each other.</strong> Currently, we publish weekly updates on our website and release zines every two months.</em>
<em>We have created a self-sustaining community of young creatives who are willing to learn from and support each other. This has also meant the establishment of our signature series "<a href="http://thecoalitionzine.com/CBDCT">Cool Babes Doing Cool Things</a>" in which we highlight people in our community and the strides they are taking to turn dreams into reality.</em>
<em>We have recently decided that part of this goal would incorporate putting on art shows and paying our contributors for their work. We feel that it is necessary to move from the web to real life if we want to fully promote our artists and writers. Our first show is scheduled for mid-August in New York.</em>
The Awesome Foundation grant will go towards the publication of physical copies of the Coalition Zine, as well as toward their art show / re-launch party in August. We can't wait to attend!Alana MohamedThe Coalition Zinehttp://thecoalitionzine.com/United StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/425552015-02-19T00:00:00Z2015-02-19T15:05:00ZToronto – The Ouch! Package I co-manage the Bikechain DIY space where we teach people how to diagnose mechanical issues with their bicycle and we then teach them how to do the repairs. Last year we had over 3,000 visits. Of those visits, I had frequent visits from [young] cyclists who had just been involved in an accident, normally involving a car.
For example, people would come in with cuts and scrapes, bandages on their arms or face, or ripped up pants legs, etc. Of course, I can tell when a bike was involved in an accident. Although the person was quite shaken up, I always felt really bad that I couldn't do anything more for them other than be a sympathetic ear.
Because Bikechain serves an income-constrained population, I would like to offer people who have been involved in an accident and come into Bikechain to repair their bike an "Ouch! Package," which will resemble a gift-basket but it'll have some nice things like: teas, chocolate, something humorous like a funny book, some bandaids, and a print out of "who to call" if you've been in an accident including the phone numbers of different legal services, insurance companies, physiotherapists and municipal agencies.
I would like to offer The Ouch Package free of charge in the spirit of humanitarianism, and good will. Andrew BacchusThe Ouch! Package CanadaTorontohttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/torontotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/433732015-02-19T00:00:00Z2015-02-24T02:20:41ZKingston – Soccer to the Max!I know you said no money going directly to fundraisers.....this is different....please please please be awesome enough to read on.
My close friend, and super awesome, giving, amazing paramedic and mom, found out her 3 year old Max had leukemia two weeks before Christmas. Treatment at first is intensive meaning a MONTH's stay in hospital. As they have an 18 month old (and the hospital is an hour away), they have not worked for over 6 weeks.
We are holding a fundraiser at the Westbrook Dome to help to support them financially
But the best part about this fundraiser is it's
a) all about strangers helping strangers
b) all about kids having tons of fun and getting active (in a city where you cannot currently be outside for more five minutes without shouting profanities and having the tears you cry from the cold freeze to your face)
c) it is in a HUGE venue, so TONS of strangers, and TONS of kids and TONS of families, can meet, run around, play , have fun and support one another during a FRIGID weekend day
The family is from Stratford, and we feel helpless being unable to help them in any other practicle way being so far away
We are renting two fields at the Westbrook dome for an hour.
One field is for awesome awesome soccer fun!!!!!!! Kids of all ages, kids against parents etc (we have rented it before for friends and strangers alike and it's a blast!!!)
One field is for smaller kids- we are hoping to have games set up, and a bouncy castle for them to run around like the crazy little people they are.
We will suggest a donation amount like $5 per person, but this will not be essential...so even people who cannot afford it can come out and have an awesome active day. AWESOME!!!!!!
The best part is we have been pondering trying to start something for kids in the winter like this to get them out and active and now we have an amazing reason.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maxwellbarterJessica MitchellSoccer to the Max!CanadaKingstonhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/kingston-ontag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/437192015-02-19T00:00:00Z2015-02-19T03:35:33ZAntigonish, NS (Inactive) – A Playground for Every BodyThe goal of our project is to build a community playground for every body regardless of ability or disability. A place where all children can feel welcome, safe and where friendships can grow. This accessible playground will be designed keeping in mind the variety of abilities that will be accessing it. This will include: ramps from bottom to top of each structure, shaded features, adaptive swings, musical elements, spongy ground surface etc.... An accessible playground, one that welcomes all children, is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Every child deserves to access a play structure with their peers. This playground will provide that opportunity. A place where every child can "join in".Tiffany MacNeilA Playground for Every Bodyhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Playground-for-Every-Body/360705760746734CanadaAntigonish, NS (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/antigonishtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/425792015-02-19T00:00:00Z2015-02-19T03:40:26ZTallahassee, FL (Inactive) – Life FeederI make one of a kind bird feeders that are part art and part bird feeder. I came up with the idea in 2012 and have been working ever since to perfect it. I've just reached my goal and have a prototype that is durable, functional and beautiful. My project: to make and place a bird feeder on the grounds of each nursing home in Tallahassee.
What is unique about these bird feeders is that they combine colorful and luminous original art with a low profile seed tray. When the birds feed, the result is a dynamic interplay of sunlight, motion and color. Given that our community members needing nursing home care are restricted in their ability to explore the natural world, I see these bird feeders as a means of bringing the natural world a little closer to them and making it a little brighter.
This project has the potential to delight and engage all who reside, visit and work in nursing homes in our community.
Amanda ClauseLife FeederUnited StatesTallahassee, FL (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/tallahasseetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/439242015-02-18T00:00:00Z2015-02-18T18:43:29ZAwesome Without Borders – Students for SelmaThe 8th grade students of Westbury Middle School will get the opportunity to view the movie Selma thanks to a generous donation from The Harnisch Foundation. This viewing will help support our 8th Grade Social Studies curriculum, where students are taught about the Civil Right Era and the many incredible events and people that helped to fight for equal rights in our country. Through this movie showing, students will get the opportunity to reflect on the events that transpired during the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965 and how they, as citizens, can be a force for peace, fairness, and justice. Kevin EhrlichStudents for SelmaWorldwideAwesome Without Bordershttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/awesomewithoutborderstag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/429352015-02-17T00:00:00Z2019-04-26T12:48:15ZGloucester, MA – Clean-up & Maintainance of Magnolia Public ParksDuring the last few years I have cleaned. up and beautified some of Magnolia's public areas. I cleaned up the Magnolia Cemetery, mowing, cutting brush, weeding and trimming. I maintain its attractiveness with flowers, lights and flags at the appropriate times during the year. I was instrumental in the planning and instillation of our new Veterans War Memorial in Knowlton Park, working with the Historic Committee to choose a site and to design a Flower Garden. Every spring I plant, water and weed that garden all summer long. I also mow and trim the bushes in this much loved park. A few years ago I painted the benches bright primary colors. Sitting here, looking out over Magnolia Harbor across to Boston is good Mental Health for many residents. I also built boxes and now keep them supplied with "Poop Bags" in this park. I help maintain our small rotary (dummy) in town with seasonal decorations and lovely spring, summer and fall plantings. Recently I blazed a trail from Magnolia Historical Building on Magnolia Ave. to the Soccer Fields at Four Corners. I would like to plant some Apple Trees there this year. If you ever see my bright Yellow Tracker pulled over by the side of the road I am close by either picking up trash or cleaning out streams. My serious paying job is carried out during the school calendar so I do have time in the summer and after school daylight hours to devote to my Beautification Projects.Elizabeth CannonClean-up & Maintainance of Magnolia Public ParksUnited StatesGloucester, MAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/gloucestertag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/425152015-02-16T00:00:00Z2015-02-16T18:09:00ZAwesome Without Borders – The Director ListThe Director List, currently a popular twitter feed about female film and tv directors, is expanding to a website!
I have been running @TheDirectorList account for two years now and it has been a great place to share news and raise awareness about female directors. The Director List grew from two things-- (1) A masters dissertation I wrote at London School of Economics in 2006, which focused on the low number of women being hired on studio films, and (2) my own need as a filmmaker to find more female directors to inspire me and my work.
As I sought out the names and faces of women directors, I started to post their pictures to a Pinterest board and share that board with friends on Facebook. I needed to let people know that there were indeed many experienced female directors, a reversal of the common industry myth that female directors only existed in very small numbers. There are now over 830 female directors on the board.
About a year and half after starting the Pinterest board, I felt I wanted to expand the conversation, so I started @TheDirectorList on twitter, which quickly found a community of like-minded filmmakers, scholars, and advocates for women.
Now, I am creating a place online that will provide tools to help the industry find more women directors for their projects as well as encourage more in-depth conversations with my online community.
Destri MartinoThe Director Listhttp://thedirectorlist.comWorldwideAwesome Without Bordershttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/awesomewithoutborderstag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/423102015-02-16T00:00:00Z2016-12-28T23:03:55ZOttawa – Ottawa Tool LibraryFebruary’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Bettina Vollmerhausen and Frédéric Sune, to support memberships for those less able to pay to the tool library they are in the process of starting up.
“The <A HREF="http://ottawatoollibrary.com/">Ottawa Tool Library</A>,” explains Bettina, “will be a lending library similar to a public library. However, instead of borrowing books, a member borrows household tools — from hammers, wrenches, and power drills to juicers, blenders, and stockpots. Our mandate is putting underused tools back into circulation and making them accessible to all.” Tool libraries are already operating across Canada, including in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver, and Calgary.
“We believe there are many people who are seeking a greater value from products and services,” Bettina says, “while redefining their relationship with ‘stuff.’ The Ottawa Tool Library will also host workshops and classes held by passionate tool educators in the community who will teach new skills, address safety and proper tool usage, and assist or showcase do-it-yourself projects of all kinds.”
The Ottawa Tool Library will differ from traditional tool rental in that it will use a membership model. Members will pay a nominal annual fee that will allow unlimited access to the entire tool collection. Those who cannot afford a membership will have the option to volunteer — or to be considered by Bettina and Frédéric for a subsidized membership out of the Awesome Ottawa award.
Bettina is an entrepreneur and community connector interested in sustainability and social innovation. Frédéric is an information technology professional running two companies — a managed services provider and a web agency.
<BR><IMG SRC="http://img.awesomefoundation.org/q/src/https%3A%2F%2Faf-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2F103918%2Foriginal%2FOTL-Bettina-Fred-Fun-20150214-1-940.jpg/output/jpg/thumb/940x470%23">Bettina Vollmerhausen & Frédéric SuneOttawa Tool Libraryhttp://ottawatoollibrary.comCanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/ottawatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/429632015-02-16T00:00:00Z2015-05-03T05:08:18ZPittsburgh, PA – 76<10076<100 is a mobile pop-up shop created to raise awareness of gender wage inequality. Its pilot initiative will take place at 4901 Penn Ave. in Garfield from Apr. 1-30, 2015.
Open daily, 76<100 will offer work by women artists/makers based in the US, including handmade objects (ceramics, textiles, etc), art and photography prints, publications, stationery, and packaged food. Items will be carefully curated, with an eye toward representing artists from diverse backgrounds and locations (including regional artists).
Pricing of this work will reflect the current wage gap in PA, where women earn just 76% of what men earn—male shoppers will be charged 100% of the retail price of any item, while women will be charged 76% of this price.
Recognizing that this is a complex issue, we will provide a free poster to shop visitors that elaborates on wage inequality and its causes, provides a brief history of feminism in Pittsburgh, and offers resources for those interested in advocating for women’s wage equality in their government or workplace.
Beyond simply raising awareness of the wage gap, we hope to serve as a hub for local women and girls, and will partner with community groups to organize programming that fosters community dialogue, provides practical advice related to this issue, and empowers women to recognize their full value and potential. Sample events include:
-Salary negotiation, affordable childcare, and resume writing workshops
-Talks by participating artists
-Office hours with consultants for current/hopeful small business owners
-Meetups/workshops for women and girl developers
-Wikipedia “Edit-a-thon” to add women artists to the encyclopedia
-Presentations and meetups with notable women’s groups in Pittsburgh
In the spirit of promoting professional women, all work to ready 76<100 will be done by women, from building retail displays and developing a website down to the design of the type used in shop branding and promotional materials.Elana Schlenker76<100http://coming in March, but you can view my personal site to get a sense of what else I do: elanaschlenker.comUnited StatesPittsburgh, PAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/pittsburghtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/429692015-02-14T00:00:00Z2015-02-14T18:58:55ZYerevan – Tea with StrangersThere's nothing better than a cup of tea with a stranger!
I'm addicted to tea! I'm addicted to strangers!
The idea behind the project is simple.
We take our tea sets, go sit in public places of Yerevan (parks, squares, streets, etc.), prepare tea according to Chinese traditions, and invite complete strangers to join us for cup of tea! We introduce the tea, ourselves, they introduce themselves. We share our stories, they share theirs. We take photos. People leave, we'll probably never see them again. They continue their way, we stay and greet new strangers. Same-same, but different. Different stories, different lives.
The best parts of the conversations and photographs will be posted on a Facebook page, people can follow the stories of humans of Yerevan.
Not only Yerevan. We'll also travel to other cities of Armenia and Artsakh.
Our aim to erase any borders between people who may seem to be strangers to each other, but we're all water from different rivers after all. Artyom BabayanTea with StrangersArmeniaYerevanhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/yerevantag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/433172015-02-12T00:00:00Z2015-03-17T15:45:46ZChicago, IL – Red Line Comfort StationsAs a curator and artist team deeply concerned with social issues that beleaguer our city, we believe that art can move beyond the studio, gallery and museum. We believe that it can do more than reflect or comment on a given set of circumstances. We envision projects that engage directly with the world, creating shared experiences that have the capacity to humanize participants and transform social reality.
Faced with the appalling statistics issued by The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, which estimates the number of homeless Chicagoans at an inexcusable 138,575, our project will connect with and serve one segment of that population, overnight or continuous riders of the CTA. On select nights in February and March, between the hours of midnight and 2 AM, we plan to offer care, attention and unexpected hospitality to people who are literally “at the end of the line” (Howard and 95th Street). Setting up temporary “comfort stations” with seating and heat, offering boutique hot chocolate, warm, gourmet soup and home-baked bread to continuous riders as they move from one platform to the other, we aim to provide a brief, but luxurious reprieve from the cruelty of homelessness in Chicago’s coldest months. This action will be the first of several public interventions into homelessness planned for 2015.
These interventions, scheduled over the course of a year, will create a community of care for the city’s most vulnerable inhabitants – to provide neighbors-in-need the opportunity to connect with artists, entertainers, massage therapists, barbers, support organizations, and more – but also, perhaps more importantly, to provide people of privilege and skill the opportunity to engage in and help build this community, this small-scale, intermittent utopia of hope. This is our art, our curatorial practice: an invitation to give and receive more than mere sustenance, to tap humanizing experiences that may transport individuals from daily reality to the realm of possibility.Rhoda Rosen and Billy McGuinnessRed Line Comfort StationsUnited StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/418532015-02-12T00:00:00Z2015-07-17T18:42:18ZChicago, IL – StudentsXpressI started a magazine called StudentsXpress. This publication is written by students in preK-8th grade in 15 Chicago Public Schools. It is delivered quarterly to these schools, along with every branch of the Chicago Public Library.
Our Mission: While showcasing art and writing from students in Chicago Public Schools, StudentsXpress aims to promote creativity and literacy, encourage alternative expressions, create positive self esteem and open discussions.
I would like to supplement this magazine with a project at a specific school, giving the students the opportunity to write and draw about conflict resolution, or whatever topic they decide.Rachel SwitallStudentsXpresshttp://www.studentsxpress.comUnited StatesChicago, ILhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/chicagotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/413462015-02-11T00:00:00Z2015-02-23T20:53:08ZSan Antonio, TX – Pop-Up PuppetsYou’re a thirty-something grabbing a cold one at the local icehouse, you’re an eighty-three year old regular at the bingo hall, or perhaps a toddler pounding the pavement to day care, when all of the sudden – a puppet show! Pop-Up Puppet transforms totally ordinary locations into one-of-a-kind makeshift Toy Theater parlors. Half Sideshow, half comic book, these paper performances explode into the lives of surprised audiences. Pop-Up Puppet will convert 150 square feet of untraditional performance locations into makeshift miniature theaters, transporting audiences from their mundane errands into a new magical world. The goal of Pop-Up Puppet is to reach audiences who have never seen a live puppet show, and change their perception of puppets forever.
Utilizing projection technology, these toy theater shows will also take on an exciting form of innovation. Armed with a digital video camera, Dorn will glide the camera lens through his toy theater sets and inflate the miniature stories into epic proportions.
So I encourage you to grab a dressed Modelo Especial, transform the ordinary, and watch a puppet show like no other.
Zach DornPop-Up Puppetshttp://www.zachdorn.comUnited StatesSan Antonio, TXhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/sanantoniotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/407842015-02-10T00:00:00Z2015-02-17T14:01:02ZMiami, FL – NEWT Miami: Experiments in Light, Color & SoundWe present to you NEWT Miami: a fully immersive, sensorial installation inspired by Isaac Newton's theory of color and music. The vision: the 19-story digital wall of the InterContinental Miami diagrammatically-lit in synchronicity with contemporary instrumental music. The aspiration: transform the downtown Miami skyline into a 21st century canvas for visual art and performative architecture, and captivate and carry audiences through a powerful emotional journey.
NEWT Miami is slated to launch in Fall 2015. Every night for 5 days, audiences will be invited to look toward the InterContinental for a dramatic digital installation in symphony with color and movement. Simultaneously, audiences plug-in to NEWT's unique soundtrack on live web stream. For 7-9 minutes, every note of this installations' original arrangement will come alive across the downtown Miami skyline.
The following video link provides a comprehensive preview of the unique form of this project:
https://vimeo.com/108317420
Pass: Miami
With views of the InterContinental's northwest and northeast facades, optimal viewing points for NEWT are located in the neighboring Bayfront Park and also scattered throughout Downtown Miami and the Beaches. Audiences are empowered to partake collectively, streaming the sound from their smart phones and looking towards InterContinental; or privately, streaming the projection sequence and music at home on their computers.
NEWT Miami is about creating community. A key aspect of the project is working with arts and social collectives throughout Miami to develop pop-up events, artist talks and like-minded exhibitions.
NEWT Miami is about accessibility to a worldwide community. Based in the heart of the city, NEWT is uniquely accessible to locals and visitors. As a sensorial experience, it crosses boundaries of age, gender, language and nationality.Dejha CarringtonNEWT Miami: Experiments in Light, Color & Soundhttps://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8746155/Decknew9-Screen.pdfUnited StatesMiami, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/miamitag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/447062015-02-10T00:00:00Z2015-03-02T06:11:38ZSeattle, WA – BirdTruckWINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER
IT'S A FOOD TRUCK FOR THE BIRDS!
CHIPS & QUACKAMOLE FOR THE LUCKY DUCKS.
CATCH OF THE DAY FISH TACOS FOR THE EARLY BIRDS.
CREAM PUFFINS & OTHER TWEETS FOR DESSERT.
We created a foodtruck for birds during the Awesome Foundation's serendipty-themed Hack for Awesome. Aiming to stoke unexpected, punny joy for both people and fowl alike, we created a microwave-sized truck prototype out of cardboard, filled it with tasty treats, and set the truck up at Greenlake. We also set up a basic website with a free downloadable template so downloaders can create their own bird trucks.
Gina Phillips & David WykesBirdTruckhttp://www.birdtruck.comUnited StatesSeattle, WAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/seattletag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/415022015-02-10T00:00:00Z2015-02-11T21:48:21ZMiami, FL – The Family Table, an Ashoka Youth Venture"The Family Table" was created to raise foster care awareness in the school and the community and to offer assistance to the foster care students who attend my school. The ultimate goal of The Family Table is to promote academic success throughout the foster care population at Miami Carol City High School. This project included classroom presentations, meetings, family dinners, social media exposure, and community outreach. Part of the project is to raise awareness to the community. Promoting awareness through social media allowed for more people to have access to this information. The social media sites were used to update people about the on-going activities of "The Family Table."The Miami Carol City branch was created in order to educate the staff and students about foster care and this was also where a majority of the project took place. This is where the classroom presentations, the family dinners, meetings, and part of the campaign awareness took place. I went to different classrooms around the school and spoke to students of different grade levels about my project and foster care in general. These classes included law, history, and economics classes.Every month, the foster care students met for a dinner. I teamed up with the FCCLA club at my school to assist the students in preparing a dinner that we could sit down and eat together. At these meetings, different guest speakers came and talked to the students about being able to succeed even though they are foster children. These guest speakers ranged from college students to attorneys.I met with the foster care population at my school regularly to check up on their grades, attendance, and behavior in the school. We also discussed how they felt about their situation and if the project had any impact on them. Being that Miami Gardens has the largest foster care population, I decided that this would have the greatest impact.Briana GrahamThe Family Table, an Ashoka Youth VentureUnited StatesMiami, FLhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/miamitag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/431622015-02-09T00:00:00Z2015-03-02T14:07:31ZNew Orleans, LA (Inactive) – New Orleans Black Sci-Fi & Literary Arts FestivalWildseeds’ vision for the Black Sci-Fi and Literary Arts Festival is to showcase the amazing talent of artists and writers of color in New Orleans whose work engages around issues of race, gender, class, social change, and the future of communities of color. This festival seeks to be a place for marginalized groups to imagine ourselves in our own futures, which is what the best science fiction and speculative fiction allows us to do. Recently Wildseeds was part of an art installation at Exhibit BE. Our “Sacred Space” exhibit honored marginalized children and their families who have experienced displacement. Inspired by the community response to Sacred Space, Wildseeds seeks to use this festival as a way to inspire more group-led community art projects exploring the untold stories of New Orleans. We want to encourage art/writing that will explore the experiences and intersections of our lives as people of color, women, poor, immigrant, and LGBTQ community members, using science fiction, speculative fiction, and other artforms as a lens on our existence.
Open to the public, the 3-day festival will feature: hands-on workshops/skills-shares (such as comic book, zine, and graphic novel making, self-publishing, etc.); film screenings (featuring sci-fi/fantasy movies by directors of color); panel discussions; literary readings; and art and music by local artists and musicians. More than anything, the festival will provide a space to celebrate artists, writers, teachers, librarians, and readers engaged in shaping the future of communities of color at the intersection of art and social change.Soraya Jean-Louis McElroyNew Orleans Black Sci-Fi & Literary Arts FestivalUnited StatesNew Orleans, LA (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/neworleanstag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/429972015-02-09T00:00:00Z2015-02-09T22:11:13ZAwesome Without Borders – Future Doctors for South SudanSouth Sudan is the world’s newest nation, gaining independence in 201. The country was born with a long history of conflict, and as a result, has some of the world's worst health indicators. 1 in 7 South Sudanese children die before they turn seven years old, 1 in 7 women die during childbirth, and only 25% of the population has access to any kind of healthcare.
At Future Doctors for South Sudan (FDSS), we believe that the path forward to build a strong healthcare system will be led by South Sudanese physicians. There are great barriers for young South Sudanese who wish to become doctors. The single medical school in the country is not functioning and efforts to revive it may take years. Medical schools outside of South Sudan are too expensive for almost anyone from South Sudan to get to, let alone attend.
That's where FDSS comes in – we are offering medical school scholarships to promising South Sudanese students who have the drive and determination to complete their medical training and return to their home country to improve its health. We are now supporting four medical students, and are growing fast, with some very good partnerships in place.
Our first student was Malueth Angui, who is from a small Dinka village in Warab state. His father is a tribal leader, who raises cattle, but has no income. Malueth is a middle child of his mother’s 10 living children, but his father has four other wives, also with multiple children. As Malueth has many older brothers, he was not required to tend the cattle, and therefore had the opportunity to attend primary school. He did so well in school that he was chosen to receive a scholarship to attend a missionary high school in Kenya. There he learned English, and was one of the top students. Upon his return to South Sudan, he was hired by a new primary health clinic funded by Doctors Without Borders in the town of Gogrial. This is where is dream to become a doctor was born.Stephanie WaxmanFuture Doctors for South Sudanhttp://www.futuredoctors.orgWorldwideAwesome Without Bordershttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/awesomewithoutborderstag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/376252015-02-08T00:00:00Z2015-02-08T15:25:19ZConnecticut (Inactive) – To Whom I May Concern®TWIMC works with people with early stage dementia who participate in local Alzheimer's support groups. We invite them to tell us what it is like to live with dementia, and then put their stories into a script that they first validate and then perform before an audience of care partners, family and professional. The Talkback at the end opens a dialogue between them and the audience that is always moving. Every performance ends with a standing ovation that reminds us that this is a powerful program for empowering people with dementia and changing public attitudes and that we need to take it further but, until now, we have been limited geographically. We overcame this limitation, however, when we started "TWIMC Online" which brings together people with dementia from around the world via their computer and webcam. We have had up to 9 people on the screen at one time sharing their stories of life after the diagnosis from across the USA including Hawaii, Canada and UK. from the comfort of their own home. Together we created a script which they performed in a webinar. With each Online group (2), we have improved the quality of the video and currently we have included a cinematographer who has taken the project to a new level. Instead of a scripted performance, we have now captured the spontaneity of their conversations on film. We are in post production of a video that realistically conveys the story of 5 people, most in their 50's, whose life has been up-ended by dementia. Our plan is to create a Discussion Guide to accompany the video so that it can be used widely as an educational tool. This 'fly on the wall' technology has been reviewed by people in the field of dementia and film with overwhelming praise. A preview of the video is available on our website. towhomimayconcern.org Maureen MatthewsTo Whom I May Concern®http://towhomimayconcern.orgUnited StatesConnecticut (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/connecticuttag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/430852015-02-07T00:00:00Z2015-02-07T13:54:59ZSarnia – Outdoor Community Ice RinkOur students and parents would like to build and maintain an outdoor community ice rink on the school playground! The students have brainstormed where we would get materials, the benefits of an outdoor ice rink, how to maintain it, and even some rules for use. Sarnia has a few indoor rinks, some of which have free skating time, but this outdoor rink would provide an opportunity for neighborhood families to enjoy skating outside for no cost. As many kids are being drawn more and more to sitting in front of screens (especially in the winter), this is also a great way to promote exercise and develop a new hobby for many kids and families!
The school has a very large playground area and is in a location accessible to many people. We have planned a spot near the school building that has access to an outdoor water source necessary to flood the rink. We would like to build it with an area of at least 60 ft by 100 ft to ensure a large surface that would welcome many community members. The rink would be built and maintained by parent and student volunteers. Our class has come up with a shoveling schedule with students taking responsibility for taking care of the surface, along with parents who have committed to building, flooding, and shoveling the ice surface. The rink would be available for students to use at recess, along with after school and on weekends for anyone to come and enjoy skating in the great outdoors!
We realize that Sarnia's winter climate does not always lend itself to keeping an outdoor rink frozen all winter. This is why we have a plan of putting down asphalt and turning it into a lacrosse rink for the rest of the year, further promoting outdoor community play!
We think this is a fantastic way to work together as both a school and city community and promote exercise!Nicole Rekman (Grade 4/5 Teacher at Sarnia Christian School)Outdoor Community Ice RinkCanadaSarniahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/sarniatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/433492015-02-06T00:00:00Z2016-01-18T21:35:45ZSan Francisco, CA – Land Action Squatter House PrototypeIn Oakland, California there are numerous abandoned lots throughout much of the city. Many of these properties have unpaid taxes that exceed the market value of the property. This has created a situation where neither the owner of record not government agencies are able to make productive use of these properties within existing market or governmental structures. Simply put these abandoned lots exist in a permanent state of legal limbo. The city of Oakland does not have the resources to use eminent domain, and because the city does not possess title to these properties previous efforts by community groups to access these properties have likewise been unsuccessful. As these lots lie vacant, the Bay Area is in the midst of a historic housing crisis.
However Land Action has been successful establishing projects on these sites using their experience occupying abandoned properties. With Land Action’s knowledge and strategies architects Carl Petersen and Marcus Owens have developed a design for a “tiny-house” with a square footage below the requirements for any permitting from the city. This house is constructed of free and low-cost materials but provides a safe and healthy living space and can be placed on a lot with one or two other structures, including one functioning as a “wet house” featuring a flush toilet, shower, and kitchen.
These structures are part of a larger vision of an urban micro-farming network that utilizes untapped and otherwise inaccessible resources while providing housing in a region where low income housing is difficult to access. The Land Action garden at 3700 West Street in Oakland is based on this concept.
By providing rent free housing in exchange for stewardship Land Action will seek to collaborate with activists engaged in housing struggles as well as environmental and health concerns.
Marcus OwensLand Action Squatter House Prototypehttp://land-action.orgUnited StatesSan Francisco, CAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/sftag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/415352015-02-06T00:00:00Z2015-02-06T05:55:18ZLusaka (Inactive) – EcoZambiaEcoZambia is a citizen initiative designed to provide the general public with information on how to live greener in Zambia. The initiative was born out of the difficulty faced by Zambian residents to gather reliable information on how to live in an eco-friendly manner within their local context. As such, EcoZambia is meant to become an online platform to assist Zambian residents live in greener way through the compilation, sharing, and exchange of information via the EcoZambia website.
The website will include 3 sections:
1. Recycling and waste management: How waste management is organized in Zambia/Lusaka, as well as what, where, and how we can recycle waste in the country
2. Eco-friendly products and services: what eco-friendly products and services are available in the country
3. Eco-tips: tips on eco-friendly and non-toxic house care and body-care
We are currently in the process of developing the website and plan on launching it on 8th January 2015.
As we consider education to be the key to promoting sustainable green living, we would also like to develop school workshops under the EcoZambia platform. Our members would run these workshops during scheduled classroom visits to discuss various ecological issues.
EcoZambia is not a marketing platform, but only an independent information platform. We do not charge a fee to write articles about our partners as we wish to remain independent and to choose whom to partner with. We try all the services and products we talk about and select our partners according to their reliability and quality of services.
EcoZambia is a non-profit initiative. However, we do not request for grants from international donors and NGOs as it is important to us to remain as a simple ‘citizen initiative’, demonstrating that a few people can make a change just by working on their own. In this regard, a grant from another citizen initiative such as The Awesome Foundation, would be perfectly in line with our vision.
Agathe Nogueira-BourgaultEcoZambiahttp://www.ecozambia.comZambiaLusaka (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/lusakatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/415082015-02-06T00:00:00Z2015-02-06T05:55:25ZLusaka (Inactive) – Kuya Kwile60.5% of the Zambian population is considered “poor” with widowed women and orphaned children constituting 80% of this group. Often times, these widows become the sole providers for a household overnight are left vulnerable without tangible skills and limited educational experiences to provide for their families effectively.
We aim to empower vulnerable women through skilled-based training and entrepreneurial development focused on knitting skills, product development, and sales. We will provide access to mechanical knitters, crochet hooks, and high-quality yarn for women to produce a minimum of 200 knitted/crocheted items per month to be sold through Kuya Kwile, a social enterprise program, which will then reinvest the profits into the training program to empower more women.
A pilot program to assess the feasibility of the idea was conducted in 2012 resulting in the online sales of approximately 100 scarves in one week, resulting in a total gross profit of K10,000 (+/-US$2000). Moving forward, referring to the lessons learned from the pilot program, I have formalized the pilot project into a longer-term program, and have placed a new, strengthened admin team to support production and sales.
The existing program has already provided the women with a tangible skill. The addition of the social enterprise framework allows for additional skills development in team building and business development thus providing a foundation for future financial sustainability.
Chembo LitanaKuya Kwilehttp://itezozambia.webs.com/programsZambiaLusaka (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/lusakatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/431232015-02-03T00:00:00Z2015-02-03T15:21:34ZKitchener-Waterloo – Communal Dining Event: Feds Food BankOur Food Bank recognizes the need to address larger issues underlying the function of our service. Currently, we function as an emergency model that provides temporary relief to students. However, we want to bring larger issues such as student poverty, hunger, health and debt to student’s and administration’s attention. We know that providing temporary relief does not solve the problem and we need to consider strategies on campus to provide long-term relief to students who need our assistance. In our long-term plan, the Food Bank would like to expand to provide long-term assistance. We intend to create more community awareness around our cause, uniting students in discussion and purpose. To break the stigma of Food Bank use, we need to normalize these issues. We also feel it is important to expand into providing healthier food for students. Currently, we only offer non-perishable goods. Nutrition is essential to learning and health living. We believe that a Food Bank should offer more dignity to users. By doing so, healthy fresh and frozen foods is a tenet of the Food Bank’s long-term goals. Finally, we believe that food preparation skills are essential for students. We believe it is important to provide skills for students to rely on instead of relying on others for help.
We intend to hold an event that unites all of our long-term goals. This would be called our Communal Dining event. We propose to hold this event in a public space (our student centre) for students, free of charge. We want to create a safe space to enjoy fresh, local food. Students will be provided this meal and asked to sit down with fellow students at picnic tables in this space. There, conversation will be facilitated by volunteers about student poverty, debt and the future for our Food Bank. We believe this event is important to initiate conversation about these hard issues to normalizing them among students – making it easier to discuss and eventually, easier to propose solutions.Emma ShulistCommunal Dining Event: Feds Food BankCanadaKitchener-Waterloohttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/kitchener-waterlootag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/427982015-02-03T00:00:00Z2015-02-03T07:59:07ZLiverpool – Flag For LiverpoolLiverpool deserves its own flag!
I am running a competition to find a design for a Flag For Liverpool at flagforliverpool.org. At present we have four designs.
We are hoping to emulate the success seen in the Black Country. They adopted a flag in 2012, 1000s of copies have been printed and it can regularly been seen flying. It has even been incorporated into the shirt of a local darts player!
The plan is to run the competition and get Liverpool City Council to accept the new design. Then the city of Liverpool will have a flag to call its own!Thomas WilliamsonFlag For Liverpoolhttp://flagforliverpool.orgUnited KingdomLiverpoolhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/liverpooltag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/425252015-02-02T00:00:00Z2015-02-02T15:51:13ZAwesome Without Borders – PERFORM/oil and duct tape installationPERFORM is a solo exhibition presented at Firehouse Plaza Art Gallery at Nassau Community College that explores the roles of virtual and actual audiences in the digital age. The exhibition features large-scale oil paintings alongside a site-specific duct tape installation. The work explores a world in which people are increasingly absorbed in virtual communication, and subsumed in the urge to project on social media. The images examine the pressure to constantly record and display the most obscure moments of the day, or to announce the self as a witness to significant moments.
The images extend beyond the canvas and into the space itself as I combine oil paintings and use duct tape to ‘paint’ directly on the walls. I use the subtle differences in tone and transparency to mold tape into figures and forms. Beyond its sculptural qualities, the tape also implies something precarious or temporary, speaking to the tension between the craving for connection and the fickleness of virtual communication.
The tension between anonymity and individuality, between authenticity and performance that are at the center of the show will also be the focus of two lectures that I will be offering in conjunction with the exhibition. The first, an artist talk, will focus on the creative process itself. The second, as part of the Human Rights Conference at Nassau Community College, will focus on art and social activism. The lectures are designed to engage NCC students and faculty and are open to the public.
The immersive nature of the installation is an invitation to slow down, and spend a contemplative moment in this space. In a reality where we are increasingly watching and being watched, ‘PERFORM’ speaks to the necessity of observing anew the audiences and performances that shape our every day.
Tirtzah BasselPERFORM/oil and duct tape installationWorldwideAwesome Without Bordershttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/awesomewithoutborderstag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/423242015-02-02T00:00:00Z2015-02-02T15:26:38ZAtlanta, GA – Travel abroad to make positive changeIf you've traveled in developing countries, you know that it can be difficult to confidently step off the plane or bus and connect directly with local people not in the traditional travel guide, and trust that your tourism dollars have a positive impact on the communities you visit.
Conversely, local people in these contexts often have a valuable trade, skill, or knowledge base to offer - and are looking for opportunity - but lack ways of marketing themselves to travelers online.
Vayando is a tool to change that.
Vayando is an Atlanta based social enterprise that connects curious travelers with micro-entrepreneurs in emerging economies around the world. We provide an online marketing platform for micro-entrepreneurs that have interest and motivation in sharing local knowledge, activities, experience, and skills to connect directly with curious travelers visiting their areas. Travelers get a secure and immersive experience while local entrepreneurs gain opportunity to build their own small business.
Vayando coordinates with reputable in-country field-partner organizations - such as Peace Corps, Oxfam, and Care International - to identify motivated and reputable entrepreneurs and work with them in creating an online profile. The vast majority of micro-entrepreneurs have never been online, but have a marketable skill and also own a basic cell phone. Travelers browse through profiles in the country they are traveling and book experiences with these individuals, or the cooperatives they are members of. Bookings are easily confirmed and managed through Vayando's integrated online and SMS based platform. Payment is made securely via mobile money. Entrepreneurs only need to be able to receive and send text messages.
According to the Deputy Director of micro-finance at the United Nations: "Vayando is an effective approach to help bridge the last mile of tourism, bringing tourism dollars directly to the local level."JasonTravel abroad to make positive changehttp://www.vayando.comUnited StatesAtlanta, GAhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/atlantatag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/427762015-02-01T00:00:00Z2017-10-20T02:14:01ZAnn Arbor, MI – WICIR teen group mural projectThe Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights (WICIR) teen group, formally known as the Teen Empowering Advocacy Movement (TEAM), seeks funding for their spring/summer 2015 mural project.
TEAM developed in 2010 in response to needs identified by the WICIR community. It began as a support group for youth from mixed-status families impacted by immigration enforcement. The group consists of youth who are undocumented themselves and/or have experienced the detainment or deportation of a close family member.
In 2014, TEAM shifted from a therapeutic support group to an activist group focused on advocacy for fair immigration policy, as chosen by the teens. Through first learning community organizing strategies, legislative processes, public speaking skills, and effective collaboration with elected officials, the youth successfully engaged at the city and county level with immigration policy change.
After an active year of organizing and civic engagement, the teens and their adult allies identified that for 2015, TEAM needs to return to its focus as a support group and therapeutic space due to challenges faced by many of the teens. However, the teens do not want to lose momentum in their activism. Thus, to combine these two efforts, the group would like to engage in a mural project as both art activism, team-building, and art therapy.
TEAM has partnered with Dos Hermanos market in Ypsilanti as the location for their mural. The twice-a-month teen group meetings for the spring/summer 2015 will be devoted to learning about murals and Latina/o muralists, engaging in self-reflection and diversity activities, creating a collective vision, and the painting of the mural. The teens hope that the final product will be a vivid, thought-provoking representation of their community’s immigrant experience and their personal hopes and reflections.Melissa StekWICIR teen group mural projectwww.wicir.com, https://www.facebook.com/WICIRUnited StatesAnn Arbor, MIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/ann-arbortag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/408912015-01-31T00:00:00Z2015-02-07T02:03:21ZMoscow (Inactive) – "Невиданный хэндмейд"Наш проект имеет цель показать, что люди, у которых нет зрения, умеют осуществлять нужную другим, интересную, креативную деятельность. "Невиданный хэндмейд" предполагает профессиональное обучение незрячих людей косметологическому массажу и их трудоустройство. Этот проект позволит клиентам массажных салонов увидеть то, что не могут увидеть сами незрячие массажисты - потрясающие изменения, созданные чуткими руками специалистов по массажу, способных "видеть" руками. Однако главной целью данного проекта является трудоустройство массажистов, которые получили медицинское образование, но не могут найти применение своим профессиональным навыкам из-за стереотипов, существующих в отношении инвалидов по зрению. Партнер нашей организации по проекту гарантирует трудоустройство не менее двух массажистов при условии, что они пройдут курс обучения у специалистов сертифицированного учебного центра, с которым он сотрудничает. В условиях сложности поиска работы незрячих специалистов и в связи с их профессиональной квалификацией мы намерены сотрудничать с бизнесом, поскольку не все массажисты востребованы на рынке труда. Кроме того, мы решили ориентироваться на трудоустройство незрячих массажистов в салоны красоты, поскольку их квалификация является высокой, но при этом незаслуженно невостребованной. Своими руками незрячие люди творят красоту, работая над коррекцией и оздоровлением своих клиентов. Незрячие массажисты могут вести клиентскую базу и пользоваться компьютером, установив "говорящие программы", озвучивающие содержимое мониторов компьютеров. Они самостоятельно передвигаются при помощи современных технических средств или тактильных тростей. Им не нужна помощь. Им нужно отсутствие стереотипов в отношении того, что они могут делать своими руками потрясающие вещи. Значимым плюсом является то, что незрячие люди не будут иронизировать по поводу недостатков фигуры клиентов и не узнают их в общественном транспорте.Инна Силова"Невиданный хэндмейд"http://www.spbvos.ru/anketa1/index.php и сайт партнера http://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/projects/newRussian FederationMoscow (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/moscowtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/413932015-01-31T00:00:00Z2015-03-07T13:55:12ZNairobi (Inactive) – Fireside tales seriesFireside Tales Series is a special presentations of interactive oral folklore performances to the family audiences within Nairobi City and it's environs. The repertoire of presentations consist largely of re-devised tales collected from within the larger Eastern Africa communities. Often, the performances are built around contemporary topical issues as seen from traditional Knowledge perspectives. This program provides urban folks with creative opportunities to participate in recreating the well-known traditional evening fireside moments of wisdom sharing.
Fireside Tales is a story-theater practice whose inspiration in form, method approach is specific to African oral traditions albeit with conscious infusion of contemporary theatrical creative elements. The envisaged content would be informed by our own research and reflection on the current socio-political dynamics and issues specific to contemporary Kenyan situationjohnFireside tales serieshttp://www.zamaleoact.orgKenyaNairobi (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/nairobitag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/416832015-01-31T00:00:00Z2015-05-26T19:51:49ZAustin, TX – BLXPLTNBLXPLTN is an afro punk musical group with electronic tendencies!
We write songs about writing instead of fighting, love, police brutality and taking a time out when frustrated. We would like to spread our positive message to that any one that would like to listen. We want to show youth of color and queer youth that is ok to be smart and to be different.
Katherine QuinonesBLXPLTNhttp://www.blxpltn.comUnited StatesAustin, TXhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/austintag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/420532015-01-31T00:00:00Z2015-03-06T03:41:21ZNew Orleans, LA (Inactive) – Patois:The N.O International Human Rights FilmFestFounded by New Orleans artists and activists, Patois: The New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival is dedicate to nurturing the city’s human rights community, supporting the work of local organizers and organizations involved in these struggles, and providing a forum for artistic expression of local and international issues. Founded in 2004, Patois is back in 2015 after a brief hiatus ready to premiere new powerful social justice oriented films from around the world while highlighting brilliant local filmmakers and the vital local grassroots organization doing work in the city. In addition to the film festival in March, Patois hosts a variety of community screenings, workshops and fundraising/outreach events leading up to the festival. Because Patois has always prioritized community accountability, we come up with our festival in consultation with a range of New Orleans’ grassroots organizations and activists (from veterans of the civil rights movement, to high school students, to advocates, teachers, and organizers. Local organizations we have organized benefits and other events for and consulted with in the past include the New Orleans Women’s Health Clinic; INCITE! Women Of Color Against Violence; Critical Resistance; Neighborhood Gallery; and Safe Streets, Strong Communities).
Since our beginning, almost every film we have shown has been a local- or regional premiere. In addition, we have presented several world premieres, including powerful new films by both local and international filmmakers. As a community festival, we host screenings around the Greater New Orleans area, from Chalmette to Central City, and Gentilly to the French Quarter. However, we are more than just a New Orleans festival and have hosted satellite screenings in Natchitoches and Shreveport, Louisiana, as well as in Detroit and New York City. With your support, we will continue to amplify local voices, raise important issues, and build community.Jessica CallahanPatois:The N.O International Human Rights FilmFesthttp://patoisfilmfest.org/United StatesNew Orleans, LA (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/neworleanstag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/424002015-01-31T00:00:00Z2015-02-03T21:52:14ZParis (Inactive) – "Jardiner dans la cité" L'association "Rosny Potagers" (Rosny sous Bois) a pour objectif l'amélioration de l’environnement urbain par le développement de jardins partagés. Elle assure la formation d’habitants au jardinage biologique dans le cadre de l’Agenda 21, et contribue au renforcement du lien social dans les quartiers prioritaires. Lors d'ateliers hebdomadaires, un expert formateur en jardinage biologique montre et aide le groupe d’habitants à préparer la terre, planter les graines, faire le désherbage et l’entretien des potagers. La récolte est partagée par les participants ; en cas de surplus, ce dernier est offert à la structure sociale associée (où elle est utilisée en atelier cuisine) ou parfois aux passants.
Quatre potagers ont vu le jour depuis 2011, et deux nouveaux potagers sont prévus en 2015, dans une cité de logement social et dans une résidence de personnes âgées MAPI.
The objective of "Rosny Potager" (based in the parisien subrub of Rosny-sous-Bois) is to improve the urban environment by developing community gardens. The organization teaches the inhabitants the techniques of organic gardening, and contributes to strengthening social ties in priority areas. During weekly sessions, an expert un organic gardening shows the inhabitants how to prepare the ground, plant the seeds, clear the weeds, and maintain the vegetable garden. The harvest is shared between participants. The surplus is either given to a local organization or distributed to passerby.
Four vegetable gardens have been created since 2011, and two new ones will be created in 2015 : one in a social housing community, and one in a retirement community.Simpson Ann"Jardiner dans la cité" FranceParis (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/paristag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/419642015-01-30T00:00:00Z2015-09-02T13:54:51ZStockholm (Inactive) – The angry bird house<b> It’s something that we never would have thought of creating ourselves. You can call it an art project describing today's society or simply a wacky invention. We just call it awesome!
Here’s how January’s winners describe their project The Angry Bird House: </b>
We all get frustrated from time to time. Frozen car doors, slow computers, football teams losing. The world is full of things that annoy us to the degree that we just want to scream out loud. Unfortunately, it’s hard to do without appearing silly and/or scary to the people around us.
We believe we have a solution to this problem. We call it the angry bird house.
With the help of this machine you can send out a personalised manic scream far away from you own location. Just send an SMS to the angry bird house with your personally composed scream. The angry bird house contains a small computer, loaded with a sound bank and connected to a mobile phone and a loud speaker. Each sound is linked to a letter, so if you send an SMS with the message ”Aaai%&!okyyy”, the computer will play the sounds connected to these letters in the order you have chosen. So for the price of an SMS you can sound just as angry as you like, without running the risk of making innocent people nervous.
Jon Ashbourne/Nisse BergmanThe angry bird househttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sStdklLlw3wSwedenStockholm (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/stockholmtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/420122015-01-28T00:00:00Z2015-01-28T01:20:39ZLondon, ON (Inactive) – The Light At the End of the TunnelThe Light At the End of the Tunnel is a historical documentary that details the lives of 4 individuals- three of whom where escaped slaves from the US - that came to London in the mid 1800's and made (unknowing) contributions to the ideals of Multiculturalism that we know Canada for today. These individuals are largely unknown to the public, and our documentary plans to utilize historical photos, newspaper articles, interviews with local (and non-local) history experts, and modern footage of the areas these individuals lived/worked in to tell the full story and show the impact these individuals had on building a civilized society, almost entirely set in the city of London itself. The individuals' stories we've found are inspiring, heartbreaking, hopeful, and so much more.
We hope that when the documentary is complete it will give London a proud place in not only Canadian history, but also Black History as well as being an "untold chapter" of the Underground Railroad. Mark DreweThe Light At the End of the Tunnelhttp://www.thelightdoc.caCanadaLondon, ON (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/london-ontariotag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/427392015-01-28T00:00:00Z2015-01-28T03:00:55ZMelbourne – Australian Ichthyosis MeetI have a rare, severe skin condition called Ichthyosis. I am creating a meet for others affected by this condition - Melbourne, May 2015.
When I was a child, I hadn't met anyone else with the rare, severe genetic skin condition Ichthyosis. I thought I was all alone. Ichthyosis can be medically and socially challenging, and in some cases, fatal.
What is Ichthyosis?
"Ichthyosis is a rare genetic or acquired skin condition affecting an estimated 10-20 individuals per Million. Ichthyosis is characterised by persistently dry, thickened, rough, fish scale skin. There are at least 20 varieties of ichthyosis, including inherited and acquired forms. People with ichthyosis have a normal lifespan. However those with very severe ichthyosis may need to spend several hours each day caring for their skin so they can lead as much of a normal life as possible." (Source )
Since I have been blogging , I've come to meet many, many people with Ichthyosis - many overseas and a few in Australia. And it's been wonderful. We've been able to share advice, lean on each other in times of difficulties, and offer hope and happiness to individuals and families. We also share common interests outside of our Ichthyosis. I've had wonderful experiences meeting these patients and their families.
And I wanted to give this same opportunity to Australians (and anyone who wants to travel to Australia).
I am hosting the first official Australian Ichthyosis Meet – scheduled in Melbourne for Saturday 9 May 2015, as a part of Ichthyosis Awareness Month.
This event will give adults, children and families affected by Ichthyosis the chance to meet others with this rare condition. I hope some strong friendships will form, as well boosting the self confidence of all attendees. And the event will also be showcased on my blog for Ichthyosis Awareness Month.
The day will feature three sessions: an informal meet and greet, a tour of the zoo, and a dinner for those who want to socialise. Carly FindlayAustralian Ichthyosis Meethttps://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/australian-ichthyosis-meet-tickets-15076699815AustraliaMelbournehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/melbournetag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/420962015-01-28T00:00:00Z2015-09-07T01:30:44ZPortland, OR – No Really, We Want You to LaughI have bipolar disorder and have worked with folks with a mental illness the last five years. Oh yeah, and I teach stand up comedy to folks with a mental illness and family members. We then perform in the community. Average audience size per performance is 130.
The performances raise the self esteem and self confidence of the underserved comics who perform and help to break the stigma against mental illness. And the shows are flat out funny.
Our work is unique, funny and inspiring and I want to bring it into the city of Portland. Every show we have had has been a rousing success.
This is the kind of project that continues to make Portland awesome. It is unique and forward thinking. It combines social justice with mental health. With proper marketing we can reach hundreds of people. Once they see the performance they will never look at mental illness in the same light again.
In the 13 week classes I teach, we look at our hardest struggles and challenges. We talk about it and explore it. Then we turn things around and start looking at these experience through the lens of finding the humor in them. We convert this humor into stand up comedy. This process is transformative. Class members gain control over experiences that used to control their lives. They get tools for living with a mental illness. We this happens and then we perform, magic happens. Audiences sense that magic and leave knowing that they have seen something special.
All our shows are clean and classified as PG. It is a refreshing change from the standard stand up comedy show.
Any additional costs above the $1000 level for venue or marketing, (We expect to get some earned media), will be funded by other nonprofits or individual contributions.
Dave MowryNo Really, We Want You to LaughUnited StatesPortland, ORhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/portlandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/464702015-01-28T00:00:00Z2015-04-08T09:25:16ZSouth Shore – Baby-friendly floors for awesome pajama partyBetter Together Family Resource Centre walked away with a $1000 CASH to install baby-friendly floors so they could do awesome events like pajama parties!Better Together Family Resource CentreBaby-friendly floors for awesome pajama partyCanadaSouth Shorehttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/southshoretag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/426312015-01-26T00:00:00Z2019-07-21T20:39:53ZPortland, OR – The Abundance ProjectWe will give away gold glittered grant money to passersby in $20 bundles.
Eleven to twelve bundles will be handed out in each quadrant of the city (NE, NW, SE, SW). The event will take place on Awesome Day to commemorate Portland’s awesomeness. Each bundle will have four five dollar bills.
The initial recipients of the bundle will receive instructions to keep five and give away fifteen. They will be asked to invite the recipients of the fifteen to keep five and give away ten. The third recipient will be asked to keep five and give away the final five. Each initial $20 bundle will also come with written instructions and the money portioned out. It will be entirely up to each recipient to do what they please with the money but we forecast a fair amount of people will follow through with giving it away. We will invite recipients to find people to give to whom they don’t know and to have the exchange free of any kind of purchase.
We will film the event and present the video on facebook, youtube, and twitter. We will be transparent with recipients of our intention to spread abundance and enhance the awesomeness of Portland and we will ask permission to film the exchange (we will still give them the money if they decline being filmed). We hope some of the participants will be open to us filming the whole chain reaction.
Although the photos show handwritten instructions for the money exchange, we plan to type out the instructions with an old-fashioned typewriter. On the opposite side of the instructions we will type: ‘The Awesome Project.’ We aim to contact Kboo, Street Roots, the Willamette Weekly, The Skanner, and broadcasted news channels to see if they would like to report our event.
We emphasize the use of cash with this project because it is fading from circulation and its depletion symbolizes the lessening of physical interaction on a grander scale. Reinstating that interaction with free money will connect people with a sense of real abundance.Oh Prema / Sweethome TeacupThe Abundance Projecthttp://everydayenlightenment.weebly.com/United StatesPortland, ORhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/portlandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/425722015-01-26T00:00:00Z2019-07-21T20:35:02ZPortland, OR – Dignity Village Computer Lab + Storage ShedDignity Village wants to build two new structures on their site: a storage building and a new computer lab. Dignity Village is composed of many individual one-room living structures and several common spaces. Over the years, most structures have been improved significantly, but there is still work to do. The Village has been working with ACE Charter School, an alternative vo-tech high school that teaches architecture, construction, and engineering skills to young Portlanders. From design to construction, building the storage space and the computer lab will be learning opportunities for students. The 11th grade construction class will be donating labor on this project to put their learning into practice. We also hope to spark a conversation with them about homelessness.
The computer lab currently on site at Dignity Village is a makeshift structure, repurposed from an off-the-shelf shed. The dark, cramped space doesn’t function well. Members use computers to search for jobs and housing, connect with friends and family, and access other resources. We’d like to have a better lab space so that we can offer on-site workshops to build the skills of Villagers-- which will make them more qualified candidates for jobs. With the help of ACE’s students, we can provide the village with a fully secured, insulated, bright facility.
Currently, we have a 3-walled shack where we store donated goods. We use what we need from donations, and organize the rest into our annual yard sale fundraiser. Unfortunately, the condition of some donations suffers because they are exposed to the elements. Enclosing the storage in a new structure would solve this problem. We also need space to store pet food for the dogs and cats that residents keep as companions. When we receive a large pet food donation, uninvited critters infiltrate the stash. Our new storage shed will be protected from the elements, secure, and constructed to keep rodents away, to better manage the food for our animals.Katie Mays, from Dignity VillageDignity Village Computer Lab + Storage ShedUnited StatesPortland, ORhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/portlandtag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/410352015-01-26T00:00:00Z2016-04-24T22:36:00ZWashington, DC – Just BeReVision dance company, a resident company of Dance Place, is currently working on a full length concert, Just Be, to be presented at Dance Place February 21-22, 2015.
In Just Be, Artistic Director Shannon Quinn leads ReVision dance company in exploring the raw emotions and life experiences of working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The audience joins the company in focusing on the abilities of individuals, instead of the challenges and stereotypes associated with disability.
The performance will feature guest performers from the Mamie D. Lee School, a DC Public School serving children with special needs. ReVision dance company is currently teaching 3 days/week at the Mamie D. Lee School engaging students with I/DD in physical fitness, artistic expression, and kinesthetic learning. ReVision believes that dance is an inclusive art form that can help illustrate the shared artistry of people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Mamie students will be performing in a featured section of Just Be as part of ReVision's professional performance at Dance Place. The students will be learning the choreography in their classes during the school year. They will experience a dress rehearsal on stage with the company members and will perform in both Saturday and Sunday's shows. ReVision will provide transportation for each of the students to the theater to ensure full participation. Artistic Director Shannon Quinn is working closely with Mamie Principal, Dr. Aimee Pressley to coordinate with parents and teachers to make the Just Be project happen.
The goal of engaging the Mamie students is to challenge audience members' preconceptions about individuals with I/DD and demonstrate the positive power that dance has on everyone's lives.
Shannon QuinnJust Behttp://www.danceplace.org/dance-performances/revision-dance-company-2015/United StatesWashington, DChttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/dctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/418922015-01-25T00:00:00Z2015-01-25T11:43:48ZYerevan – Չաո ՍՍՀՄՀայաստանում և, մասնավորապես, Երևանում վերջին 20 տարվա ընթացքում շատ արագ քանդվեցին և ոչնչացվեցին շատ պատմամշակութային արժեք հանդիսացող շենքեր:
Ականատես լինելով այդ ամենին և գիտակցելով կորստի անդառնալիությունը, ցանկացա որևէ կերպ պահպանել այդ շենքերի հիշողությունը և լուսանկարեցի շենքերի քանդման գործընթացը: Միաժամանակ, գիտակցելով, որ միայն լուսանկարելով չի պահպանվի պատմությունը, սկսեցի նաև հավաքել տարբեր տեսակի արխիվային նյութեր, կենցաղային իրեր, որոնք այսօր կարող են պատմել մեր քաղաքի խորհրդային պատմության մասին:
Այդ պատնությունը ամփոփվել է «Չաո ՍՍՀՄ» նախագծում, որը նկարահանվում է արդեն 7 տարի շարունակ, և հանդիսանում է իմ անձնական հավաքածուի միայն փոքր մաս:
«Չաո ՍՍՀՄ» ցուցահանդես-նախագիծը պատմում է Խորհրդային Հայաստանի մասին, որը ՍՍՀՄ փլուզումից հետո դարձավ հիշողություն: Այն փորձ է պահպանել հիշողությունը լուսանկարների և իրերի միջոցով, որոնք գտնվել են լքված և ժամանակին շատ հայտնի շենքերում, կինոթատրոններում և գործարաններում: Հավաքածուի յուրաքանչյուր առարկա իր մեջ պարունակում է մի ամբողջ սերնդի հիշողություն:
Բացի լուսանկարներից, որտեղ ներկայացված կլինեն պատմություն դարձած գործերի և շենքերի խրոնիկան, կներկայացվեն նաև այն իրերը, որոնք ես գտել եմ հին կրկեսից, Դվին հյուրանոցից, Արագիլ ռեստորանից, Զվարթնոց կինոթատրոնից, Երիտասարդականի գետնանցումից և Փակ շուկայից:
Լուսանկարների և ցուցադրված իրերի, ինչպես նաև ձայնային սարքավորումների օգնությամբ փորձ կարվի մարդկանց վերադարցնել իրենցից խլված հիշողությունը, որը կարծում եմ իրավունք ունի պահպանվելու ոչ միայն արխիվային նյութերի և լուսանկարների մեջ, այլ նաև իրական կյանքում:
Իսկ ավելի երիտասարդ սերնդի համար, ցուցահանդեսը կհանդիսանա աննախադեպ հնարավորություն ծանոթանալու Խորհրդային Հայաստանին ոչ միայն ծնողների պատմություններով, այլ նաև տեսնելով այդ ժամանակի մշակույթն ու առօրյան:
Հայկ ԲիանջյանՉաո ՍՍՀՄhttp://www.bianjyan.com/gallery/ciao-ussr-4/ArmeniaYerevanhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/yerevantag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/358272015-01-25T00:00:00Z2015-01-25T18:58:17ZConnecticut (Inactive) – Raspberry Pi in an Urban MIddle SchoolI want to take my STEM club to the next level by moving from Scratch computer programming to Raspberry Pi mother board programming. This would be an authentic hands-on STEM experience for my talented and diverse group of 8th graders that are ready for a new challenge. There is no finding for this innovative program at SPS but you can help! I believe that this opportunity might turn some of my kids into future scientists and engineers.Jim FordeRaspberry Pi in an Urban MIddle SchoolUnited StatesConnecticut (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/connecticuttag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/413202015-01-23T00:00:00Z2015-01-23T14:20:24ZConnecticut (Inactive) – Norwalk Mentor ProgramThe Norwalk Mentor Program is one of the longest running and most acclaimed mentoring programs in the country. This school-based program matches a student in the Norwalk Public Schools (grades K-12) with an adult volunteer who can meet for one hour each week at school, during the school day. The program has more than 200 mentor/mentee matches in our 19 public schools!
The mission of the Norwalk Mentor Program is to encourage the social, academic and mental growth of Norwalk’s youth through a one-on-one mentoring relationship, where a caring adult serves as a role model to a student as he or she goes through a difficult period or faces new challenges.
Twice a year we organize events for the mentors and mentees to get together outside of the school setting. At the end of January, the Norwalk Mentor Program will invite all of its mentors and mentees to an evening of fun to celebrate National Mentoring Month. All mentors, mentees and mentees’ families are invited to attend as well as supporters, funders, local and state officials. This event is an opportunity for mentors and mentees to see each other outside of school, and for parents to meet the mentors. Over 400 people will be invited to celebrate and enjoy each other's company at a local children's museum. Nancy PrattNorwalk Mentor Programhttp://www.hscct.org United StatesConnecticut (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/connecticuttag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/412982015-01-23T00:00:00Z2015-01-23T05:23:52ZOahu, HI – Restoration of the Historic Shiroma Saimin StandOn our grounds is a recreation of the Shiroma Saimin Stand, a historically accurate food stand of a bygone era. The Shiroma Saimin Stand is part of our school-age educational tours and is a launching point from which our docents discuss how early immigrant families earned monies and created businesses in Hawaii's plantation era. It is the only Saimin Stand that has been preserved on Oahu, and includes donations from the Shiroma familiy such as historic photos, noodle maker, and other cooking implements actually used by the family. Originally built under the guidance of the original Shiroma family whose stand was located in Waipahu's Japanese camp, the Saimin Stand has fallen victim to the elements and termites. Awesome Foundation monies would be used to restore the structural elements of the shrine as well as restore and recreate the signage that adorned the original structure. Our hope is to be able to restore the Stand to be used again as a Saimin serving structure that can be used during our ethnic festivals: New Year's Festival in Spring, Obon dance in summer, Korean Celebration, and/or Keiki Festival. Food is a touchstone of cultural remembrance and preservation in many Island families, and the Shiroma Saimin Stand is a part of our preservation efforts. We would like to be able to allow the public and school groups that visit us daily to return to visiting the Saimin Stand and allowing them to view the interior and the historic objects inside, rather than viewing the stand from a distance.Jeffrey HigaRestoration of the Historic Shiroma Saimin Standhttp://www.hawaiiplantationvillage.orgUnited StatesOahu, HIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/oahutag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/388442015-01-23T00:00:00Z2015-01-23T05:24:57ZOahu, HI – YMCA Camp Erdman Nature RoomOur camp is located in Ke'ana Point State Park on the North Shore of Oahu and a Nature Room would share the immense value of parks with kids. Parks, like camps are safe places for kids to go, are some of the best places for discovery and play, provide places for families to connect and a sense of adventure, and are close-to-home nature places. A Nature Room would allow us to show the importance of this specific area of the island with our guests.
We would like to turn an unused indoor space into an interactive nature center to use with all of the clients we serve at camp. The most important thing we teach during our environmental education classes for school programs is the connection between people and the islands. We have classes about native plants and animals, the albatross, beach ecology, the mountains, zoology, and even a nature art class. The Nature Room would provide an easy way for kids to visualize, connect, and interpret the environment. It is a perfect sensory experience for all learners.
The biggest appeal for our school programs students is that we provide outdoor education which is a welcome alternative to the classroom experience they get on a daily basis. Having the nature center would allow us to further the depth of some of our classes by having concrete specimens to show the kids following their outdoor experience. Many of the classes we teach involve us instructing about the plants, animals, and creatures of Hawaii but we are not always fortunate enough to have anything more visual to show than a picture. Our nature center would have taxidermy animal specimens, hands-on and interactive activities, coral, shells, an albatross station for bolus dissection, sea turtle shells, and native/endangered plants.
During Summer Camp, we get many children that are not from the islands. A culturally significant nature center would allow those campers to learn about Hawaiian environment.
Candice NydamYMCA Camp Erdman Nature Roomhttp://www.camperdman.orgUnited StatesOahu, HIhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/oahutag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/420172015-01-22T00:00:00Z2015-01-24T21:28:26ZKingston – Froid'art - Art on Ice - An outdoor ice exhibit."Froid'art - Art on Ice" - An public outdoor ice exhibit. That's my idea. It's new and has not been done here before. Think of a clear paperweight. Embedded in it is a piece of art on a sheet of Mylar. Now imagine that paperweight as a block of ice, 20" x 40" weighing 300 pounds, sitting outside on a platform, illuminated by tube LED lights.
Now picture several of these blocks of ice - each featuring art by a different local artist. In future these blocks of ice could be located in Confederation Park, in the market square, on the un-ploughed boulevard portions of the sidewalks in front of downtown bars and restaurants. But this year my goal is to have them in front of the old homes close to the downtown.
Froid'art - Art on Ice outdoor art gallery is not just a concept. It can be done. I had one of these blocks made with my art and it is on display now on my front lawn on King Street at Sir John A. I posted pictures and information on my Facebook page and the reaction has been amazing. "Wow" is the general reaction, especially to the night pictures. Take a look!
This is a special kind of project. To get a large, solid block of crystal-clear ice and have my art suspended in it I had to go to a company that specializes in this kind of thing. That company is called IceCulture and they are located in Hensall Ontario. They are experts at this. It takes special equipment and a precise and slow process to make crystal-clear ice. They are the folks who provided the ice and expertise for many special projects including the Chill nightclub in downtown Toronto, the Canadian Tire Ice Truck, and the special ice bullets for NASA to test the shield on the Space Shuttle. A block of ice costs $80. To suspend the Mylar in it is an additional $80. Delivery of the block was $125. The total cost would drop to approximately $250 per block for ten of these blocks. Of course, all who help, especially the Awesome Foundation, will be given due credit and thanks!David DossettFroid'art - Art on Ice - An outdoor ice exhibit.https://www.facebook.com/ArtByDavidDossettCanadaKingstonhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/kingston-ontag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/420402015-01-21T00:00:00Z2015-03-16T11:20:32ZLondon (Inactive) – CommuniKateMy little brother Richard has never been able to speak. Until he was 19, my family managed to communicate with him on fewer than 100 signs. At 19 he received a Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA) like the one used by Stephen Hawking. Richard's VOCA has a simple set of folders and icons. If you press the folder for animal, and then press the picture of the dog, the VOCA will say "dog".
Now Richard can use hundreds of words and it's not just me, mum and dad who can understand: it's everybody.
The VOCA changed his life. But he's not alone.
Approximately 32,000 people in the UK require VOCA but only 8,900 (28%) can access one (http://goo.gl/8OQuTr). This leaves 21,000 people without a voice. The main barrier is that VOCA cost an average of £2000 (http://goo.gl/3KlLcP), which is unaffordable for families already stretched by more immediate disability needs.
I believe that 21,000 people in the UK alone who can't explain illness to a doctor, choose dinner, or tell their family they love them is 21,000 too many.
In 2014, Occupational Therapist Kate McCallum and I developed CommuniKate, the first completely free, web accessible VOCA. This allows anyone with an internet-ready device to communicate by providing a free alternative to expensive VOCA. CommuniKate is released under a GNU General Public License, the pagesets are released under Creative Commons and we only use free icon sets. These licenses encourage others to remix, tweak and build upon the work and make communication a reality for everyone worldwide.
CommuniKate was launched in November 2014 and has been accessed by users from 20 countries to date. Initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Currently volunteer teams are translating it into Spanish, French, Swedish, Portuguese, Arabic, and Urdu.
In 2015, I will continue to develop CommuniKate through volunteer contributions, organise training sessions for speech therapists and VOCA users, and improve the quality of the speech output. Joe ReddingtonCommuniKatehttp://www.joereddington.com/communikateUnited KingdomLondon (Inactive)https://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/londontag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/415252015-01-20T00:00:00Z2015-01-20T16:33:38ZNew York City, NY – The Rockaway Dye GardenThe Rockaway Dye Garden hopes to grow flowers for natural dyeing and textile arts. Isabella Scott, an artist and fashion designer who has foraged around Rockaway Beach for wild plants for her work, dreams of a garden where she can grow beautiful flowers for natural dyes while sparking conversations on textile production, water and soil quality, and natural pigments. Edgemere Farm has just donated her a plot to make this dream a reality, and our January grant will support her efforts to cultivate this land.
How will this be different from any other garden? Imagine a space bursting with all blends of color, with different foliage putting out dizzying arrays of shades throughout the seasons. But that's not all. From each and every one of those plants, you can extract a color from its root or its flower, and then repurpose them for other uses like medicinal benefits. The garden will be continuously growing, flowering, and dyeing throughout the spring, summer, and fall. At the same time, it will also run community workshops on foraging and extracting dye, as well as sewing and crocheting.
We're excited that our January grant will help turn over a new leaf: the garden is an empty plot of land now, and our funding will go towards lumber to construct grow boxes, as well as seeds and plant starters. There are so many possibilities for how spaces in New York can be reimagined, and we're thrilled to support artists that are daring to dream about them.
The current plan is as follows:
<ul>
<li>Isabella will be collecting dirt from Syracuse in mid-February</li>
<li>By mid-march, everything should be in the ground as long as there is no frost</li>
<li>In June/July, we'll start to extract dyes!</li>
</ul>
We can't wait!Isabella ScottThe Rockaway Dye Gardenhttp://rockawaybeachdyegarden.tumblr.comUnited StatesNew York City, NYhttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/nyctag:www.awesomefoundation.org,2005:Project/424422015-01-20T00:00:00Z2016-12-28T23:06:02ZOttawa – Ottawa Sports OfficialsJanuary’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Wendy Liang and Tanveer Mostafa, to support the training of soccer referees from Ottawa’s homeless population.
Working with <A HREF="http://enactusuottawa.ca/">Enactus uOttawa</A> and <A HREF="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ottawa-Street-Soccer/184015888289290">Ottawa Street Soccer</A> (OSS), a non-profit that offers an opportunity for homeless people in the city to play soccer recreationally, Wendy and Tanveer will help participants obtain certification and work as referees. They also mean to deliver an associated financial literacy workshop.
“The Ottawa Sports Officials project will help participants funnel their passion and turn their lives around,” says Wendy, “and the program will be an incentive to recover from drug and alcohol abuse. After the participants obtain their referee certifications, we will help them find refereeing job opportunities, giving them a source of income and valuable work experience. In the upcoming spring season,” she says, “we plan to have two waves of the project — and will strive to expand the project every year thereafter.”
Wendy and Tanveer are students at the University of Ottawa.
<BR><IMG SRC="http://img.awesomefoundation.org/q/src/https%3A%2F%2Faf-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fphotos%2Fimages%2F103919%2Foriginal%2FTanveer_Wendy-940.jpg/output/jpg/thumb/940x470%23">Wendy Liang & Tanveer MostafaOttawa Sports OfficialsCanadaOttawahttps://www.awesomefoundation.org/ru/chapters/ottawa