Awesome Foundation - Projects

New York City, NY – The Harlem Free School

2016-03-23T00:00:00Z

The Harlem Free School is a series of place-based micro-sessions designed to encourage freedom of the mental, emotional and social dispositions of Harlem residents. In the spirit of the historical Freedom Schools of the 1960’s, this two-day intensive presents itself, in the form of workshops, gatherings and collaborative creative sessions, to diverse range of Harlem residents at no cost. The Harlem Free School is led by Harlem residents and leverages locally based experts in the leadership of its workshops. Through this proven programmatic model, the Harlem Free School will carve out space for individuals to connect with their neighbors, hone or adopt new skills, and will encourage community investment at an intimate level. The Harlem Free School will leverage organizations and institutions such as Drum USA Day, Harlem Needle Works, Harlem Needle Arts, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and Revolution Bookstore, as well as leverage individuals such as certified Doula/Yogi Elizabeth Perez and author Mshairi Siyanda to create dynamic and engaging programming. The film that will be screened, A Great Day In Harlem, is an hour-long documentary film that brings to life a remarkable moment in the history of jazz – a moment in which dozens of America’s jazz legends unexpectedly gathered together for a photograph that would become emblematic of the golden age of jazz. The Harlem Free School will convene in the spring of 2016. Would you like to get involved? Get in touch with the organizers at theharlemfreeschool@gmail.com or http://theharlemfreeschool.tumblr.com.

Gloucester, MA – Spring car maintenance for veterans/ the elderly

2016-03-23T00:00:00Z

The Gloucester High School automotive shop will be providing free car maintenance for the elderly and veterans from the Gloucester community. Maintenance will include wiper blade replacement, oil changes, refiling tires, refilling fluids, and window washing. This will give us a chance to help out those in need while still educating the students in the shop. We will be getting a chance to learn in a new environment and give a helping hand to those who deserve it. We will be placing fliers to all the elderly housing units, veterans center and veterans organizations around town.

Gloucester, MA – Library Commons Renovations

2016-03-23T00:00:00Z

We want to renovate the library to make a more creative library atmosphere. As of right now, the library is not in very good shape. The library has become more popular recently and we need more space. We want to make the environment in the library more student-friendly.

Boulder, CO (Inactive) – A Birthday for All

2016-03-23T00:00:00Z

Hi! So as I am planning my daughter's 12th Birthday, I was talking to a mom, who says her son "has no friends" and hasn't been invited to a Birthday Party since 3rd Grade!!! This is a big deal for them. I really want to open Sarah's Birthday Party to a ton of kids, who have autism and disabilities, and who never get invited to Birthday Parties! And to make it a visible, community celebration of acceptance and love! I want to go big, in an outdoor park, with a Bubble Fairy, gifts and great food for all the kids! But I cannot afford this. Can you please help make life AWESOME for one day, for so many kids with autism and disabilities and their families? And make them feel included in normal things like being invited to a friend's birthday party?

San Jose, CA – Arte nella Piazza

2016-03-22T00:00:00Z

Arte nella Piazza is a monthly mini art festival that runs April thur September. The purpose of the events are to provide another venue to promote local art and music and bring awareness to Little Italy of San jose. 2016 will be our third year putting this together. Typically we have 15-20 artists, along with tango lessons and live music. What makes these events different is the location and when we get together it's like a family that the public is welcome to join.

Boulder, CO (Inactive) – Smile

2016-03-22T00:00:00Z

I am a Boulder artist who has recently become the Street Artist Smile as a way to give back to the community that reared me and that I am now a contributing member of. Often times in urban landscapes the hyper-drive to build means creating wasted space and urban dead-zones along with the new structures. My project consists of finding these 'dead walls', ie walls that are ugly and a sore sight to passerby's, and enlivening those spaces with stencil images that are meant to give the observer an unexpected opportunity to smile.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Bahia Project

2016-03-21T00:00:00Z

As an artist I have made it my duty and mission to draw attention to various issues around the world that are crucial to me; humanitarian causes, women's right, sexual equality, freedom of expression, injustices in general. I highlight everyday objects and give them a new, profound meaning by dressing them in colorful, intricate crochet. With every piece I create I aim to display my solidarity with those stifled by oppressive laws worldwide, I hope to trigger dialogue as well as encourage a deeper awareness of people's everyday struggles. The broad appeal of my work invariably sparks second thought, discussion, even awe, by being accessible and playful. Here in Bahia, I did not want to crochet. I started working here with fuxicos. It is a traditional sewing technique dating back at least 150 years, made from scraps of fabric that would normally go to waste. I believe that with my work here on Itaparica Island I will be able to bring attention to this craft by transforming a gigantic public sculpture, covering it with fuxicos, and thus empowering many women here and elsewhere around the world. It is important to pay these local artisans for their work. This is why I need your help. In Salvador, in front of the Mercado Modelo, there is a sculpture by Mario Cravo. I was staring at it for a while. Then magically I met Franscisco Senna, who became my angel for this project. He opened many doors for me and connected me with Mario Cravo who is 92 years old. This important Brazilian sculptor, poet and cultural icon blessed my idea and gave me his permission to work with his piece. Franscisco and Mario introduced me to Fernando Guerreiro from the Fundacao Gregorio de Mattos (The organization that commissioned Mario's sculpture), he quickly agreed to join our team. I hired a local producer who speaks both English and Portuguese. I also have a team of women prepared to start this huge production.

Pittsburgh, PA – The Long Song

2016-03-21T00:00:00Z

The Long Song is a song that stretches one mile, or twenty city blocks. It is a song for 21 performers to perform, and is created on a public street for the public to witness and experience, for free. It is a song, a performance, a walk, a scene in a film, and public art - all rolled into one. It is a great example of the type of work I create as an artist and director based in Pittsburgh. The Long Song is part of a series of site-specific performances for public spaces that I direct and turn into short films. This work has not been made yet, although it has existed in my sketchbook as an idea for years. The performers stand, or sit, one block apart, on each of the 20 consecutive corners. They each sing, play, and/or perform one verse of a song that I have prepared and written for them. One can only experience The Long Song by walking, slowly riding a bike or skateboard, being pushed in a wheelchair or stroller. The Long Song will debut on May 22 along Butler Street in Pittsburgh, PA. It has been accepted to be included in the Pittsburgh Festival of New Music 2016 (pghnewmusic.com), produced by Alia Musica Pittsburgh. The Festival runs through the month of May, and includes outdoor and theater events featuring new music artists of local, national, and international stature. The Long Song is one of three festival events in non-conventional venues, the others being a flashmob performance in Market Square, and a roving performance of Cornelius Cardew's modernist piece The Great Learning, on texts by Confucius, performed by as many performers as possible. Theater events include performances by local ensembles (Alia Musica, ELCO, Kamraton, and others) and guest artists like soprano Tony Arnold and guitarist Dieter Hennings. Festival events are supported among others by The Heinz Endowments, The Pittsburgh Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Kingston – Coffee! Heating homes with the a beloved beverage

2016-03-21T00:00:00Z

Roolllll upppp the rim to win a.... bag of coffee pellets? GreenCity Initiatives is developing a process to harness the naturally occurring energy found in spent coffee grounds for use as an alternative, sustainable heating fuel for homes, greenhouses, schools, hospitals and commercial/industrial buildings. Our propriety blend is unique in every characteristic compared to wood pellets; higher heating value, competitively priced, environmentally friendly (burns cleaner, less emissions) and smells great! (There is virtually no scent what so ever) Presently, we are collecting spent coffee from 15 local Tim Hortons in Kingston, with the anticipated expansion of our collection radius to Belleville. We are still at our bench scale for our testing, we just need to figure out one small detail - getting the moisture content at a level suitable for processing.

Minas Gerais (Inactive) – Em busca de tornar o nosso sonho real

2016-03-21T00:00:00Z

Meu nome é Marcos. Moro em uma vila no bairro Santa Tereza em belo horizonte. Trabalho com jardinagem e dou aulas de percussão. Eu tinha o sonho de ter um estudio, vendi minha moto e cunstruí o estudio, que é comunitário - ninguém paga nada pra usar. Estamos vivendo um contexto de muitos jovens sem trabalho, o que é o meu caso também. Daí surgiu uma ideia de angariar recursos para manter o estudio e ainda poder ajudar os jovens fazendo uma horta de palets e outras coisas, como vasos ornamentais de cimento, sofás e mesas de palet, produtos de limpeza como desinfetante, detergente, cloro, ect... Precisamos aumentar nossos recursos e dos meus alunos de percussão - cada um mora em uma comunidade diferente. A horta é mais uma fonte de renda para eles, além de ter verduras e legumes de qualidade, além de despertar o interesse nesses jovens que com pouco eles podem trabalhar, curtir, ajudar o próximo e ganhar dinheiro. Os vasos de cimento custam apenas cerca de R$3,00 para fabricar e podem ser revendidos; com os pallets pode-se construir hortas suspensas, sofás e mesas; é possível fabricar vários produtos de limpeza como desinfetantes, detergentes, cloro e etc; além é claro das hortas que podem fornecer verduras e legumes de qualidade para as famílias dos alunos que as construam. Espero ajudar e despertar o interesse desses jovens pelo trabalho e ajuda-los a ganhar algum dinheiro. Com o dinheiro vamos comprar a matéria prima para dar inicio ao nosso projeto. Vou tentar doações dos pallets e com os recursos recebidos comprar uma serra, terra, sementes e canos para fazer o sistema de irrigação da nossa horta, bem como materiais para fazermos os produtos de limpeza. Para fazermos os vasos ornamentais é preciso comprar cimento, areia, luvas, tinta látex branca e alguns corantes para misturar na tinta.

Oahu, HI – Urban Oahu Ohia Legacy Project

2016-03-18T00:00:00Z

The Ohia Legacy Initiative (OLI) was founded to be a social catalyst. We are a very small grassroots organization that hopes to bring about great change in our community. Our mission is to spread awareness about the ecological and cultural importance of native Hawaiian plants and forests by establishing the 'Ōhi'a tree as a common feature in both residential and public areas of Hawai'i. Basically, here in Hawaii there is a major disconnect with our native plants. Most people don't know anything about them, and are not aware of how important they are to the health of our unique ecosystems. The main purpose of The urban Oahu Ohia Legacy Project is to grow Ohia (Metrosideros polymorpa) trees and give them away. These trees are a keystone species in our forests and were once found in areas ranging from the coast to the summits of our mountains. Additionally, the Ohia is a very significant and sacred tree in Hawaiian culture. It is used in hula, medicine, and mythology. However, with urban development, these awesome trees are now found only in the mountains. Even though the Ohia will happily grow at most Hawaii homes and businesses the vast majority of landscape plants are introduced ornamental plants with no natives! Our Big Hairy Audacious Goal is to have 10,000 trees planted at homes, condos, hotels, and businesses throughout the city, The more people see native plants, the more likely they are to select them for their own homes and businesses.

Chicago, IL – Walk All Night - A Drum Beat Journey

2016-03-18T00:00:00Z

The Drum Beat Journey project takes us on a musical pilgrimage with a group of Chicago bucket drummers. This story is about growth and perseverance through challenges, building community, and understanding one’s history. The film documents the lives of Demetrius, D’Quan, Dontay, and DaMonte, four young African-American men from the heart of Chicago’s tough streets who travel to Senegal. Using the bucket drum as a conduit, they release intense emotions and explore their inner imaginative spirits. This life-changing event takes them to a place their minds never deemed possible. “Armed with no more than a bucket and a pair of sticks, they hit the beat every day, entertaining the masses to earn a living and provide an escape from the harsh realities that plague their lives,” says Elilta Tewelde, the visionary mind behind the project. This journey serves as a rite of passage, as it further enhances their sense of spiritual and emotional well-being, and allows them to directly link their passion for bucket drumming and their African heritage. The drummers participated in a two-week drumming workshop with Senegalese Griot Percussionist, Medoune Gueye (aka Papa Dame.) Chicago filmmakers (Co-Directors & Producers) Mallory Sohmer and Kate Benzschawel came aboard to lead production and tell the story.

Boston, MA (Inactive) – The Type Bar

2016-03-17T00:00:00Z

The Type Bar is a moveable public art service begun in 2002. Participants engage in the simple activity of hand-typing a letter, but do so semi-publicly, out loud, and outside of regular time. A Type Bar ‘Speaker’ participant dictates a letter to a ‘Typist’ participant. Using the medium of a typewriter provides an anachronistic, barrier-bending environment for both. The process of a Speaker telling their letter out loud provides an impromptu act of public performance. The art of assisting, editing, and typing allows the Typist to explore their listening process and the possibilities helping the Speaker work their thoughts. With no delete, or cut-and-paste, the Speaker and Typist are at every keystroke faced with the apparent permanence of their creation. The process also challenges participant assumptions about current rapid communication methods used on a daily basis and offers an alternate experience. Once typed, letters are augmented by participants with clippings, quotes, mailable art by guest artists, and vintage postage. This completes the perception that the message transcends routine. Letters are then either mailed or hand delivered to their recipients. With permission, letters and art are numbered, photographed and featured or quoted on the Type Bar blog. The final art product are the letters and photo documentation. The purpose of the Type Bar is to allow for participants to share messages that may not otherwise be communicated. The activity often calls forth heartfelt or difficult messages from participants, while providing a creative and friendly space in which to share them. Recipients of Type Bar letters overwhelmingly value and cherish receiving these slow communications. Type Bar Boston will provide at least four events in 2016 inviting local artists, writers and public to participate. We provide 3 to 12 manual typewriters, vintage postage & stationery, letter enclosures & extras, along with prompts or themes to inspire interaction.

Boston, MA (Inactive) – Urban Folds

2016-03-17T00:00:00Z

How can we transform vacant spaces into vibrant community places via art? Over the course of the next year, two artists, Jillian Wiedenmayer and Matthew Martin, will revamp the Franklin Bridge into a creative community icon by engaging the neighborhoods most active and enthusiastic citizens: its children. The project involves creative workshops at the Jackson Mann K-8 School, a community designed art installation, and will culminate a citywide art festival. We have partnered with the Jackson Mann K-8 and the Boston Center for Youth and families to begin creative workshops with students and local community. The visuals and ideas produced in the creative workshops will be directly translated by the two artists into sculptural forms installed on Franklin Bridge. A citywide art festival will be held in mid June to celebrate the communities creative ideas and the opening of the revitalized Franklin Bridge. We hope that this project empowers and inspires other neighborhoods to transform their abandoned spaces into new creative community places.

Newcastle – NEWCASTLE ART PRIZE

2016-03-17T00:00:00Z

The Society of Artists Newcastle Inc. will use an Awesome Foundation grant to support their Annual Art Prize, the ‘Newcastle Art Prize’ (NAP). We are a ‘not for profit’ community art group and run art classes and workshops at our ‘clubhouse/workshop’ in Lambton Park every day of the week for community members,mostly active retirees. Our Society was formed in 1973 and every year we have staged our major art exhibition, the Newcastle Art Prize. It is one of Newcastle's largest art events with approx. 300 paintings hung over the 4 day period and up to 1000 visitors.We aim to keep our goal of giving up to $6000.00 in prize money to keep the standard of Newcastle's premier Art event happening. We rely on sponsorship to be able to do this and as we are a not for profit organisation over and above expenses we then donate 10% of profits to the Kids Club at John Hunter Hospital. This year in 2016 it will be held on the first weekend in July, at Adamstown Uniting Church Hall on the corner of Brunker and Glebe Roads, Adamstown.

Sydney – Weekly Friday Lunch for Marginalised (at risk) You

2016-03-17T00:00:00Z

Phoenix House understands the personal barriers for many young people due to disadvantage and family breakdown and the impact this can have on adolescent development and subsequent decline in feelings of hope for the future. Our aim is to transform those to be that they feel confident, purposeful in participating in our communities and that they belong. The Program emphasis is primarily engaging with these young people to attend and through activities that are challenging and fun build their feelings of hope, engagement and well-being. Friday Lunches have become a vital program at Phoenix House that are a ‘must not miss’ event on many young peoples’ calendars. The main aim of this program is to promote healthy eating and cooking skills to young people, promote nutrition and to promote connectedness and belonging. Up to 20 young people meet each week to sit at the table with youth workers and share a meal. The benefits of this program include: • reducing experiences of isolation and marginalisation for disadvantaged young people • providing a safe, drug free social options for recreation and relaxation • promoting positive and effective was to cope with stress • create positive peer relationships and relationships with the community youth development workers for wrap around support The program is designed to work with 20 young people in total within the age groups of 15 -24 (including alumni). The key measurement criteria include: • the number and percentage of the young people showing interest in continuing engagement with Phoenix House and the youth workers • the number young people seeking to and participating in in other programs run by Phoenix House – Transit program, Independent Living Skills Program, Feel Good Night, counseling services etc. • the number and proportion of young people showing interest in engaging with their youth worker to “develop a life plan”

Antigonish, NS (Inactive) – Awesome Pink Envelopes

2016-03-16T00:00:00Z

The Antigonish Chapter of the Awesome Foundation will distribute two hundred pink envelopes with undisclosed amounts of cash around the town of Antigonish on Saturday, March 19th. We hope that folks who want to share with us their use of the money will let us know by sending us an e-mail at antigonish@awesomefoundation.org or posting it on Facebook or Twitter with #AwesomeAntigonish. You can read many of the wonderful stories inspired by this project here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c0AjsxF823mulxFxBAxUYdafjrspbs9yqdqc3-f0208/edit?usp=sharing The following press was generated: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/cash-hidden-donation-awesome-foundation-1.3498916 http://thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/1350415-free-money-in-antigonish.-hows-that-for-awesome https://www.facebook.com/1015TheHawk/photos/a.192662870744576.52231.158486354162228/1162884457055741/?type=3&theater http://www.buzzfeed.com/craigsilverman/awesome-in-antigonish

Oahu, HI – "Progress Theatre" Workshop with the Creators

2016-03-15T00:00:00Z

Playwright, director, ensemble artist and founder of Progress Theatre Cristal Chanelle Truscott is scheduled to come to Shangri La as an artist in residence. Mid-way through her residency she will be joined by four cast members from her recent production of The Burnin’ which will be performed at Shangri La, Saturday, February 20 and the Doris Duke Theatre on February 27. The company, along with All the World's a Stage Theatre Company (of Oahu) are planning a workshop for students and community members on the company's unique style of creating new theatrical works. With AWS's participation in the Hawaii State Theatre Council, we are able to get the word out on this opportunity to a broad array of theatre artists on Oahu. The workshop will be free of charge and bring a unique new perspective to many artists on the island. We have such a wealth of amazing theatre on the island, and this would give our community a special chance to learn about Progress Theatre's approach to creating new works. Not only will this bring new techniques to our theatre artists, but also enrich our culturally diverse community. "PROGRESS THEATRE (PT) is an international touring ensemble of multi-disciplined performers committed to using art to encourage social consciousness, cross-community dialogue and cultural awareness amongst audiences diverse in race, age and spiritual background." The particular piece they will be performing in Hawaii: "The Burnin’ is a Neo-Spiritual inspired by two major U.S. nightclub tragedies; the Rhythm Night Club Fire of Natchez, MI (1940) and the E2 Club Stampede of Chicago, IL (2003). " A NEW Spiritual! How exciting and something that I do not believe we have seen on Oahu in my 16 years on the island. This will be the basis for the workshop to be presented in late February.

Rockport, MA – Rockport High/Middle School Recording studio

2016-03-15T00:00:00Z

My friend and I came up with the idea to expand and grow our already prevalent music program with a way to record and edit the music our students produce. This would enable the students to share their talents with people who are not able to visit their concerts and will let the students see another side of the music business. This idea would benefit the orchestra, band and chorus departments as well as any student or staff member who would like to share their musical talents or try their hand at being a music producer.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – FEMR in a Box

2016-03-14T00:00:00Z

We volunteered in medical clinics in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, and noticed a lack of continuity between volunteering clinicians, largely because of the lack of recordkeeping. We have since lead development of an electronic medical records system called 'fEMR' (Fast Electronic Medical Records) by implementing the project into undergraduate Computer Science courses. Every term we have a new team of developers from the University of Texas, Florida State University, and Wayne State University who contribute to the software for a grade. The system has now been used by medical schools and nonprofits from across the country traveling to areas in India, Haiti, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic. More importantly, however, we are using the system as a catalyst for inter-institutional collaboration in short-term volunteer work. Many of these groups send their teams annually. By coordinating the timing and locations of these clinics, we are improving the quality of care provided to some of the world's poorest populations. We have run on a near-zero-dollar budget since we began as volunteers, but are in the process of scaling up.

Ottawa – Percy Station

2016-03-13T00:00:00Z

March’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Jackpine Labs, led by Liam Mooney and John McClelland, and to Atelier Ruderal, led by Luisa Ji, Lee-Michael Pronko, and Monique St. Pierre, for their project “Percy Station,” a streetside shared community space to be set up this summer on Somerset, near the intersection with Percy. “West Somerset Street is an undervalued urban space,” explains John. “With the recent closure of Raw Sugar and the tragic destruction of The Daily Grind, the area lacks a hub for cultural activity and exploration more than ever. To combat the situation we are planning to build a modular structure that thrives on rotating programming and functions as a shared community space. Percy Station will draw people to a part of the city that is in desperate need of renewed urban cultural programming.” “Programming for Percy Station,” John continues, “will include a rotating coffee house and small-scale cultural events. Local businesses will be invited to take part in serving coffee and drinks during live entertainment. Events will be free, with programming including live music, poetry readings, and theatre sessions. Percy Station will also include a bike pumping station, with tools and bike parking spots on the back side of the structure.” Through the City of Ottawa’s Streetside Spots Program, Percy Station has approval to transform an area of street parking from April 1 to October 1. You can follow progress and learn about planned events through Facebook. Jackpine Labs is an assemblage of architects, illustrators, builders, artists, musicians, curators, designers, thinkers, philosophers, and friends associated with Ottawa creative agency Jackpine. Atelier Ruderal is a local architectural initiative creating new forms of urban experiences, designing better cities, and tackling urban problems.

Asheville, NC (Inactive) – Welcome Home Project

2016-03-11T00:00:00Z

Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina's Welcome Home Project uses support from community volunteers to provide necessary household items for newly housed clients as they transition from homelessness into housing. Most people moving from homelessness into housing have nothing more than toiletries and clothing upon move-in. With the support of the Welcome Home Project, clients receive essential household items such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies, dishes, cookware, utensils, shower curtains, beds, and bedding making their empty apartments inviting homes.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Ubuntu Performance Camp 2K16

2016-03-11T00:00:00Z

Ubuntu Performance Camp is an idea that was sparked from working with teens who are in shelters, foster homes, group homes and generally homeless. We teach them poetry and leadership skills every Tuesday and Thursday at 4-5 pm at the Achieving Independence Center in Philadelphia, PA. Ubuntu Performance Camp is geared towards the teens who excel in performance art. It is an attempt to prepare and teach them the necessary skills they may need to enter art and liberal colleges as dancers, actors and poets. The camp will be taught by established poets, dancers and actors in Philadelphia and across America. It will run for two weeks before the summer sets in. At the end of the summer, the poets will have composed an anthology of their writing from their poetry workshops. The actors and dancers will have a showcase that will be available to the public. Together they will all create and star in their own show about their struggles and aspirations. All proceedings will go towards a small scholarship fund for the best dedicated student among all the teens. We are trying to inspire the seemingly forgotten homeless youth that they can express themselves and dream beyond their circumstances and that with hard work comes great results. It's to give them a strong foundation that will propel them towards a brighter future. The name "Ubuntu" is a South African term loosely translated means compassion towards humanity or "I am who I am because of who we are" We are working in partnership with the Philly Youth Poetry Movement.

San Jose, CA – Spring Festival at O'Donnell Garden Park

2016-03-09T00:00:00Z

In the South University Neighborhood of San Jose we have a small park that serves the residents of our community. But some people were saying that the park wasn't safe to bring their kids to play. Since most of our neighborhood is apartments, having a safe place to play at the park is very important. We have been holding some annual events to try to bring people back to the park. We have had Earth Day festivals for two years and this year moved into to March so we are calling it Spring Festival. It has been a great event, but we need help to make it a good event for teenagers and young adults to think it is an awesome place to hang out with the neighbors and be connected as a community. Our Spring Festival will be on Saturday, March 19th 11 am- 1 pm. We need help to make it better by having live music, food, a video game truck and prizes that will attract people to come and have a great time together.

Port Washington, NY (Inactive) – Our stories connect us as one

2016-03-07T00:00:00Z

I am a cartoonist, writer and costume player based in NYC (Harlem). The rise in bigoted rhetoric in recent months has led to an alarming rise in hate/bias attacks against many who are perceived as the ultimate outsiders. I am a turbaned and bearded American (follower of the Sikh faith) and have been targeted all my life but more intensely since tragedy of 9/11. Through a cartoon illustration I created four years ago of a turbaned and bearded Captain America for the NYC Comic Con which led to a photographer asking me to dress as one my life has never been the same. I have been traveling the US pushing peopled perceptions on what it means to be American dressed as Captain America. http://sikhtoons.com/captain-america-in-new-york-city.html I am planning to do mass print of newspapers sized single page prints with a illustration of turbaned/bearded Captain America ready to defend American values and the back page with my life story through multiple cartoon panels. I plan to distribute these for free in NYC while dressed as Captain America early in 2016. My message is simple. Don;t judge anyone based on their looks. Ask about peoples' life stories and then you will know we have a lot more in common than our eyes lead us to believe. This project is to counter the growing intolerance in America and a reminder this nation is great because of its incredible diversity.

Liverpool – Periwinkle by Vaughan Zappa

2016-03-07T00:00:00Z

About a year ago my mother was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, although it was uncommon for someone of her age. She is fine now and has had an operation to remove the cancer from the oesophagus. I have noticed there has been very little acknowledgement for this particular type of cancer and a boost of awareness would really help the suffers and hopefully encourage potential suffers to go get themselves checked. My mum got herself checked and was able to get treatment in early stages but not everyone is so lucky. I intend to raise awareness with a line of t shirts which will take a more high end and high fashion approach to charity supportive clothing. The problem with charity t shirts is nobody wants to wear them. They are usual branded with a cancer ribbon and are made of cheap quality fruit of the loom t shirts and cost about 5-20 pounds . By taking a more high end approach I think i would be able to make a desirable item that will hopefully change peoples attitudes towards buying charity clothing and raise money for a good and very dear cause at the same time. I have enlisted the help of 20 students in my year as well as the schools Vice Principal. I pitched the idea of running a project to raise awareness of oesophageal cancer. We are a diverse bunch with film makers, animators, games designers and graphic designers. We aim to launch our campaign on 31st March and the money would prove incredibly useful. We would like to sell wrist bands and t-shirts that the team has designed as well as launch the more high end t-shirts to make the project sustainable in the long term.

Port Washington, NY (Inactive) – Long Island Girl Talk

2016-03-07T00:00:00Z

Long Island Girl Talk (LIGT) builds self-esteem, leadership, independence, and career skills in adolescent girls ages 12-18 in the Freeport, Hempstead, Roosevelt, and Uniondale Long Island School Districts by training them to create their own media. Participants learn how to research, write, film, edit, cast, direct and star in their own public access television show on the Cablevision and Verizon networks about issues relevant to women and girls in their communities. By learning to create their own broadcast material, the girls embrace a strategy for independence which allows them to promote positive representations of themselves in the media. In addition, they explore careers in the media field and learn technical skills nontraditional for women.

Tilburg (Inactive) – Laat me je Tilburg zien

2016-03-07T00:00:00Z

Soms worden dingen zoveel mooier als je er met frisse ogen naar kijkt. Sinds begin december 2015 hebben circa 900 vluchtelingen (tijdelijk) opvang gevonden in twee nieuwe asielzoekerscentra in Tilburg. Hier zullen zij de komende jaren wachten op een status, een permanente opvang of terugkeer naar het land van herkomst. In de tussentijd ontstaan er veel initiatieven om deze mensen te bij het integreren in de samenleving. Maar er blijft ook onbegrip bestaan, aangesterkt door verhalen uit de media en door geluiden van protest. We zijn wantrouwig tegenover ‘de ander’ omdat we niet weten wat diegene drijft. De kloof tussen ‘ons’ en ‘de ander’ lijkt ondichtbaar. Maar moeten we wel denken in oppositionele termen? Er is namelijk iets dat ons verbindt: Tilburg. We zijn allemaal hier. Laat me je Tilburg zien heeft als inzet om nieuwe perspectieven op Tilburg te delen in een groeiende (online) fotocollectie. Deze collectie wordt gevormd door foto’s die gemaakt zijn door nieuwe Tilburgers in AZC’s. Om dit te bereiken worden (minimaal) 400 wegwerpcamera’s verspreid in de opvangcentra. Bewoners worden hierin gevraagd om hun perspectief op de stad te laten zien. Hoe zie jij Tilburg? Wat valt je op aan deze stad? Wat vind je bijzonder of verrassend? Mensen moet je nooit onderschatten. Belangrijk aan dit project is dat we het vluchtelingengesprek niet aanpakken door over deze mensen te gaan praten, of om vanuit ons eigen perspectief deze mensen in beeld te brengen. We gaan de mensen zelf aan het woord laten. Dat kunnen ze namelijk beter dan wij. De foto’s worden verzameld op een website www.laatmejetilburgzien.nl, waar ook een kort statement van iedere inzender aan het beeld wordt gekoppeld. Naast de website wordt een selectie van de inzendingen gebruikt als basis voor een reizende tentoonstelling, een samenwerkingsverband tussen de Bibliotheek Midden-Brabant en Stichting Nieuwkomers en Vluchtelingenwerk. Andere mogelijke samenwerkingspartners zijn Quiet 500 en Gemeente Tilburg.

Port Washington, NY (Inactive) – literary awesomeness

2016-03-07T00:00:00Z

hi my name is Taylor Sinett I am a 16 year old sophomore at Schreiber and I am a children's book author and illustrator. My second book just came out called Jack on a Plaque. Jack on a Plaque is the story of a young yak named Jack, who learns to overcome the limitations of his physical disability with a positive attitude. During athletic competitions at school, Jack’s small hoof always slows him down and prevents him from winning. But Jack remains determined, and even though he is never able to be the fastest or the strongest, he is consistently the hardest working. He earns the Leader of the Yak Pack title for his perseverance. I am setting up a day of literary awesomeness at Manorhaven School where I will be reading Jack on a Plaque to the entire kindergarten group approximately 87 students. Both Bonnie Cohen the principal and my own teacher Mrs Meltzer are excited to have me. I am asking for the Awesome committee to donate $1,000 to purchase 100 books, one for each student (the remainder books will be donated to the library as well as some other classes.) I will be able to read this inspiring story to the kids, hopefully motivate them about writing and art as well as show them what is possible. I will also personally sign each and every book to encourage them to follow their dreams like I am. I hope the awesome foundation will allow me do more awesome, please check out my website to learn more about me at taylorsinett.com thank you Taylor Sinett

Port Washington, NY (Inactive) – Project LETS, Inc.

2016-03-07T00:00:00Z

Project LETS, Inc. is a non-profit supporting students/young adults with mental illness through mental health education, reform, advocacy, and suicide prevention. We believe in individual relationships, and that everybody has a right to access help + treatment. We provide real information, by individuals living with mental illness, and aim to close the gap between impersonal, clinical symptoms and lived experience. There is an enormous gap in the system, with less than 1 in 3 adults in the US accessing help. Outside the US, this gap approaches over 90%. We are embarking on a dual-mission of humanizing mental illness + democratizing medical knowledge. Most importantly, we work to show that people living with mental illness live successful, incredible, meaningful lives. This is the foundation for our free Peer Counseling program, who engage in critical functions like: linking people to help, following their treatment, + engaging in strength-based recovery work if treatment isn't an option. We fight for curricular improvement in schools and policy reform relating to training, self-harm + medical leaves (etc.). We proposed a bill to NY State Congress mandating 2+ hours of suicide prevention training for educators of 7th-12th grade students. This training gives staff skills to address mental health issues properly. We are currently working with NY Committee of Mental Health to develop a statewide Peer Support program. At the heart of LETS, we are invested in creating a world in which young adults with mental illness are accounted for, supported, and treated. We envision a different kind of health system, with comprehensive care for all people — focusing on a wellness-based recovery, not an illness-based one. Not only do we want these individuals to function, but flourish. Being immersed in our community has taken struggling, disempowered individuals, and turned them into leaders, who confidently share their voice and story - making true change and impact.

Ann Arbor, MI – Foster care survival packages

2016-03-06T00:00:00Z

In this project, my group and I are donating to a foster care center and giving them survival packages. Survival Packages are like goody bags that include clothes, bracelets, lip balm, fun lip gloss, trendy t-shirts, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, duffle or 31 bags, deodorant, earbuds, and maybe even some more stuff. We feel that they need survival packets because everyone has tough time and they are going through a really tough time in their life transitioning to a family. We think that on there journey that they could use something to have always knowing that someone is there for them. We are also thinking about doing some activities all together on certain days with them if the organization will allow it. We are coming up with really nice things to put in the packages as well.

Sarnia (Inactive) – Year of Local Podcast

2016-03-04T00:00:00Z

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – #RIseUp - Sexual Assault Survivor Rights Act

2016-03-03T00:00:00Z

This Tuesday, the US Senate introduced Rise's bill - a Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act that protects the civil rights of 25 million survivors across the nation. America leads the world in protecting citizens' rights to liberty and equality, yet our country currently lacks baseline procedures for rape survivors depriving millions of Americans basic liberties. Americans urgently need a comprehensive rights that standardizes the best practices drawing on innovation we've seen implemented across the country. The Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act draws from legal rights that already exist in patchwork form in different states across the county. It requires steps to ensure that people who have been sexually assaulted have access to a trained sexual assault counselor and comprehensive information about victims’ legal options. For individuals who submit to a rape kit, the bill would give them the right to know the location of the evidence, whether the kit has been tested, and the test results. The bill guarantees these rights whether or not the person reports the crime to law enforcement or agrees to press charges. It also creates a task force to examine how well the changes are implemented, to include representatives from diverse communities and advocacy backgrounds. Learn more about our us, check out this short article here: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/feb/23/sexual-assault-survivors-rape-kits-us-senate-bill-white-house?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

San Francisco, CA – NOTAFLOF Collective

2016-03-02T00:00:00Z

We are a collective of queer and trans* hair stylists, bodyworkers, artists, activists and community members renting a storefront space on San Pablo Avenue in North Oakland in order to provide by donation services to the queer, trans*, QTPOC and allied community of the East Bay. We're called NOTAFLOF, no one turned away for lack of funds, because removing barriers to accessibility and offering affordable services and community events are the most important aspects of our mission. Our co-founders, Dara and Liam, began offering Pay-What-You-Can haircuts and bodywork to the queer and trans* community of the East Bay five months ago. The overwhelming interest and desire for these types of services quickly became apparent, and coincided with finding a suitable space to offer them in North Oakland. Within a week of fundraising and organizing, the group ballooned into a well-defined, diverse community with a clear vision of becoming a sober, queer, child and family-oriented space offering haircuts, healing services, peer counseling, groups, events, workshops, meeting space, a zine library, art and music shows, community meals, gardening, book and clothing swaps, childcare, skill shares and more. Our aim is to provide an alternative to mainstream spaces, where trans and gender non-conforming people have often experienced tremendous hardship related to access and even trauma, by offering a safe space for self-definition. By highlighting the gap between the experiences of trans* people when compared to the rest of the population in terms of their access to stable housing, employment and health care, we hope to educate people who might not otherwise be aware of the needs of trans people in our society. We see hair services as a political intersection of race, class and gender identity. Our work aims to offset the very real and current economic struggles of marginalized communities, to allow for greater autonomy of self expression, well-being and economic freedom. This grant would be used to offset the costs of rent and the overhead of running the space as well as contributing toward paying folks who work in the space a living wage. Since all of the collective's income is sliding scale/NOTAFLOF we want to guarantee that those who provide these much-needed services are compensated for their time as no one who works with us is in the economic position to do this work on a solely volunteer basis.

Alaska (Inactive) – Haines Harvest

2016-03-01T00:00:00Z

Project Haines Harvest is our farm's attempt to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown produce for the communities of Haines and Klukwan. Four Winds Farm is currently the only operating vegetable farm selling fresh produce to the general public in the area. In the past three years we have observed rapidly growing interest in fresh produce and healthy eating in our community. We currently grow 40 different fruit and vegetable crops using organic methods. Four Winds Farm is registered with the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program and the Women Infants and Children Nutritional Programs in Alaska. Strong local participation in these programs in 2015 led to a surge in demand for our produce at the weekly Haines Farmers Market, outstripping our supply. The farm has sufficient garden space to grow considerably more produce in 2016 but currently lacks cold storage. Without proper cold storage most crops must be harvested the morning of the market to ensure quality. This project will build cold storage on the farm, effectively lengthening the harvest period preceding the market. With the ability to store crops for a longer harvest period (2-3 days) we will eliminate the bottleneck and be able to effectively harvest larger amounts for the market. Without cold storage we can't expand our harvest. The cold storage will be an insulated room of 6' by 8' built onto the north side of the farm's existing produce processing building. The thermal mass of the existing building will block heat gain from the sun. Cooling will be provided by a CoolBot refrigeration system. CoolBots were invented by a farmer as an alternative to conventional walk-in coolerfor small-scale applications. They can be built for less than the cost of purchasing a walk-in cooler and use less energy. The CoolBot consists of a readily available window air conditioner coupled with a custom controller enabling a small room to achieve refrigerator temperatures, 35-40 degrees F.

Atlanta, GA – "Flying Change" Equine Therapy for Youth

2016-03-01T00:00:00Z

Flying Change Equine Therapy is an Atlanta-based program that partners rescued and retired horses in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for youth healing from emotional and behavioral challenges like depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders and trauma from childhood abuse or domestic violence. Our purpose is to help vulnerable youth build confidence, self esteem, develop relationship-building skills, learn how to communicate effectively, experience teamwork/cooperation, gain leadership skills, and develop empathy and respect for themselves and others. Our organization has seen as many as 50 clients and their families a week and has offered hope and healing to everyone who arrives on our doorstep. We have never turned away a client we believed we could help because they could not afford our services.

Paris (Inactive) – KickArt

2016-03-01T00:00:00Z

KickArt est une caravane réaménagée en vitrine d’art nomade qui a vocation à provoquer la rencontre entre des publics “éloignés” et l’art contemporain. C’est un outil de diffusion original permettant d’appréhender la mise en scène de l’art différemment au sein d’une châsse expérimentale. Elle peut se déplacer partout hors des circuits habituels d'exposition: dans l’espace public, dans des écoles, des centres sociaux, des hôpitaux... pour aller à la rencontre de tous les publics et valoriser le travail de jeunes artistes. A cette médiation matérielle s’ajoute celle de l’artiste et de l’équipe mobilisée afin de provoquer la rencontre. KickArt is a trailer that has been remodeled into an art galery to encourage people who have little access to culture to discover contemporary art. It is an original dissemination tool that allows to stage art in a different way. The trailer car travel everywhere, and especially outside of traditional exhibition settings : public spaces, schools, community centers, hospitals… in order to meet all types of audiences and to highligt the work of young artists. The artists and the team also organize workshop to deepen the relationship between the audience and the artworks.

Washington, DC – District Displaced

2016-02-29T00:00:00Z

Founded in November 2014, District Displaced is a photography outreach project that reveals there is more to being homeless than simply not having a home. Through ongoing outreach work, District Displaced focuses on providing resources to individuals dealing with homelessness in Washington, D.C. The outreach goal is to make sure that each engaged individual has the opportunity to receive resources that will tangibly benefit them. District Displaced offers a unique opportunity to individuals currently dealing with homelessness to document and share their experiences through film photography by becoming project contributors. District Displaced contributors use film photography to provide unique perspectives on living without a home. With each roll of film contributors have the opportunity to review each photo after they are developed, and title the photographs that they want to share online and in exhibitions. Despite the obvious hardships relating to homelessness, each photograph offers a first hand account of life on the streets of Washington, D.C. and fosters a sense of resilience and ingenuity. By collaborating with those dealing with homelessness in DC a new voice is assumed by each contributor to self-advocate through art.

Moscow (Inactive) – ВЕЩЕВОРОТ

2016-02-28T00:00:00Z

Вещеворот - это социальный проект, в рамках которого мы устанавливаем в г.Челябинск контейнеры для сбора ненужной одежды от населения, сортируем её, хорошую отдаем на благотворительность, плохую отправляем в переработку. Таким образом сокращая объем текстиля на свалке примерно на 5т в месяц и обеспечивая элементарной одеждой более 200 человек в месяц. Кроме того, проект предусматривает вовлечение граждан в добровольческую деятельность.

Moscow (Inactive) – Ярмарка Подарков ручной работы

2016-02-28T00:00:00Z

Наш проект – это ярмарки товаров ручной работы в подмосковном городе Серпухов. За 2015 год своими силами организовали 6 ярмарок разного масштаба – все с бесплатным участием для мастеров. Мы выбрали несколько торговых центров в городе, договорились о бесплатной аренде места проведения ярмарок, бартерной рекламе в местных СМИ. Своими силами подготавливаем афиши и флаеры. Цели проекта: - проведение ярмарок на бесплатной основе для участников; - развитие ярмарочных традиций; - повышение интереса к ручному труду. Наши ярмарки – это не просто продажа handmade-товаров, а своего рода небольшие арт-фестивали. Почему небольшие? Участие принимает около 40 мастеров и местные художники. Посещаемость ярмарок – до 700 гостей. Одна из главных задач – увеличение масштаба мероприятий, ведь это интересно многим и очень востребовано и у мастеров, и у посетителей. Мы хотим, чтобы такие ярмарки стали семейной традицией для жителей нашего региона. Подробнее о нашей деятельности можно прочитать здесь: http://kultprosvetmag.ru/afisha/1853/ http://oka-info.ru/news/article/24892/ http://smitanka.ru/text/ray_dlya_shopogolikov_reporta.. http://oka-info.ru/news/article/24801/ http://www.glazey.info/components/news/view/Novogodni..

Moscow (Inactive) – Фестиваль молодых экскурсоводов

2016-02-28T00:00:00Z

В апреле 2015 года в Самаре прошёл фестиваль молодых экскурсоводов, где учащиеся старших классов и студенты бесплатно проводили экскурсии для гостей и жителей города. Молодых людей в течение 3 месяцев готовили профессиональные экскурсоводы и руководители турфирм. За это время были подготовлены разнообразные экскурсии: - "Невидимый город" (тактильно-ароматная экскурсия для слепых); - "Крылья Победы" (история Самары в годы ВОВ); - "Самара купеческая" (интерактивная экскурсия с песнями, играми, угощениями); - Экскурсия для детей с особыми потребностями" (иппотерапия, прогулка по парку) и многие другие. Всего было показано 8 экскурсий. Жители и гости города с большим удовольствием посетили их все. Некоторые из слушателей захотели стать экскурсоводами и принять участие в следующем фестивале. В 2016 году также планируется проведение фестиваля молодых экскурсоводов. Тема фестиваля "Быль и небыль о Самаре". В следующем году планируется расширить формат и темы экскурсий. Например: - экскурсия по граффити Самары; - экскурсия для любителей английского; - фотоэкскурсия; - экскурсия-квэст и др. Подобная идея получила своё развитие в Минске, где за 5 лет фестиваль экскурсоводов вырос до 120 экскурсий в день.

Yerevan – «Սասնա ծռեր» կոմիքս

2016-02-27T00:00:00Z

Ձեզ ենք ներկայացնում նախագիծ,որը ստեղծվել է երկու տնտեսագետ ուսանողների կողմից:Նախագծի ստեղծման առավելությունը կայանում է նրանում,որ քննարկման արդյունքում ներառվել են մի շարք հարցեր և խնդիրներ:ԵՎ մենք փորձել ենք առավելագույնս լուծումներ տալ մեզ հուզող հարցերին:Ձեզ ենք ներկայացնում մեր լուծման տարբերակը՝  Որպես տնտեսագետներ առաջին հերթին նախագիծը հետապնդում է շահույթ.  Փորձել ենք ժողովրդականը ներկայացնել արվեստի տեսքով  Համադրել ենք ավանդականը Հայաստանում նորամուծություն հանդիսացող կոմիքսների հետ միասին  Նախագիծը թույլ կտա փոքր և միջին տարիքի անձանց կտրվել համակարգչային խաղերից և ինտերնետային հերոսներից՝հնարավորություն ընձեռելով ոգեշնչվել ոչ թե Marvel-ի հերոսներից այլ մեր Սասունցի Դավթի և այլոց քաջագործություններից  Կրթել փոքր և միջին սերնդին,ձևավորելով նրանց մեջ ազգային ոգի,ազգասիրություն,սեր դեպի արվեստը և գրականությունը  Փորձում ենք գրականությունը ներկայացնել ուրույն,քանի որ համարում ենք, որ ժամանակակից երիտասարդությունը մեղմ ասաց չի սիրում կարդալ,նախապատվությունը տալով ժամանակն անցկացնել ուղեղը բթացնող համակարգչային խաղերով. Ին՞չ է իրենից ներկայացնում նախագիծը. Դա մի խումբ երիտասարդների մտքի ստեղծագործելու ու տաղանդի համադրումն է մեկ ընդհանուր գաղափարի շուրջ:Գաղափարը՝ ներկայացնել <<Սասնա Ծռեր>> կամ <<Սասունցի Դավիթ>> դյութազնավեպը կոմիքսների տեսքով:Կոմիքսներ տեսքով՝քանի որ վերը նշված տարբերակները իրականանալի են կոմիքսներով ներկայացնելու դեպքում: Այս նախագիծը հաջողություն ունենալու դեպքում մեր ստեղծագործական խումբը ունի հեռանկարային ծրագիր և այս նախագծի հաջողման դեպքում մենք կշարունակենք ներկայացնել մեր ժողովրդական հերոսներին: Մենք հստակ գիտակցում ենք որն է մեր սպառման շուկան(Հայաստանում և արտերկրում) և վերահսկում ենք մեր ռիսկերը: Նշենք նաև որ կոմիքսները լինելու են մեր սերնդի համար հասանելի հայերենով,նաև անգլերեն և ռուսերեն տարբերակներով:

Minas Gerais (Inactive) – Tá Pronto!

2016-02-26T00:00:00Z

A Tá Pronto! é um Market Place de comida caseira. Somos um negócio social que busca criar situações de comércio justo (fair trade), aumentando a renda de cozinheiros que produzem em casa ou em pequenas cozinhas, trazendo à mesa das pessoas produtos de qualidade, não industrializados e a preços justos. Através da plataforma, cozinheiros podem se cadastrar e vender seus produtos com ajuda da nossa equipe. A Tá Pronto! atua, de forma secundária, na profissionalização dos seus cozinheiros, apoio no atendimento às demandas da vigilância sanitária e na realização das entregas destes produtos através de sua plataforma. Queremos facilitar o acesso dos cozinheiros a novos mercados e a serviços muitas vezes indisponíveis a pequenos vendedores, como pagamento digital e entregas em casa. Nossas entrevistas com cozinheiros que vendem de casa mostraram que eles compartilham uma dor: a quase totalidade vende apenas no boca a boca, para amigos e parentes, enquanto buscam nas redes sociais uma forma de aumentar o alcance de seus produtos, muitas vezes sem sucesso. De forma secundária, também apontaram para fragilidade dos serviços que ofertam, não conseguindo realizar entregas (ou tendo que realizá-las por conta própria), sem acesso a pagamento digital seguro (o que deixa algumas encomendas "encalhadas", já que o comprador nunca as busca) e sem capacidade de se planejar financeiramente pela falta de know how em business. Desta forma, nossas principais atividades são de Inbound Marketing, em uma atuação similar a iFoods e outros aplicativos similares, buscando aumentar as vendas dos nossos parceiros, enquanto buscamos terceirizar uma gama de serviços como entrega (feito por uma terceirizada, shippify, sem custos ao negócio e integrada na plataforma), pagamento digital e repasse direto aos cozinheiros e suporte em business feito através do nosso blog como estratégia de marketing de conteúdo. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taprontocomidacaseira/?fref=ts

Newcastle – Fluro Friday- OneWave Newcastle

2016-02-26T00:00:00Z

OneWave lets people know they are not alone and encourages them to get in the ocean, surf it out and talk about it. It doesn't matter whether you're riding a wave for the first time or the hundredth time…you never forget the feeling of being on a wave, letting everything go and enjoying the moment. OneWave is all it takes... To free the funk. To give you hope. OneWave holds weekly Fluro Friday sunrise sessions up and down the coast to raise awareness for mental health. Newcastle has recently got on board and it's loca lchapter has been growing since late October 2015. We have weekly events where we dress up in the brightest outfits possible and surf/swim/do yoga. Fluro makes people smile and it gets people asking important questions, which are normally avoided about mental health. Everyone is welcome and it is a free event. Fluro Fridays have been started by everyday people in the community, and we all take on board the responsibility of runnig the session and turning up to be there to support one another. We would LOVE to see the stigma reduced in our local community, and are working hard to create a community where people feel safe, valued and appreciated. A community where the tpoic of mental health is at the fore front and not the elephant in the room. A community which is here to support each other in the best way we know how- saltwater therapy!

Miami, FL – Kids' P.E. Club - Saturdays

2016-02-25T00:00:00Z

We are a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization Our mission is to promote proper nutritional habits and exercise to children by disguising educational and physical activities in a carnival environment. Objectives: To promote physical activity in a fun and safe environment To educate parents on proper exercise and nutrition for their children To promote lifelong activity and a healthy approach to preventing childhood obesity The majority of our participants come from low-income, single-parent homes where the parent is looking for work or working odd jobs to support the family. Participants from these environments typically are not involved in extracurricular activities because of limited finances. Carnival Full of Fitness® believes the Kids’ P.E. Club will not only be a safe haven for children, but will also be an opportunity for residents who are looking for a way to make a difference in the community. Carnival Full of Fitness® prides itself on its ability to think outside of the competitive playing field. We understand that most of the children we serve do not necessarily have the speed, strength, and agility to participate in traditional sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. The premise of our club is to encourage children to turn off their video games, computers, and smartphones and go outside to engage in “good, old-fashioned fun.” The club’s variety of games and activities contributes to positive development by infusing social skills, self-esteem, and cognitive skills. The session cycle will be 6 consecutive Saturdays, and the sessions will last approximately 4 hours. Given this, we are extending an invitation for local businesses to be donors and regular contributors to our project. The funds raised will be used to help register up to 40 deserving participants and employ residents of the Miami Gardens community. These funds will be used as a springboard, and we expect the program to be able to support itself after we gain exposure.

Orlando, FL – Playground City

2016-02-25T00:00:00Z

Did you know we learn a lot when we play? Play is natural, play is educational, play is fun! We all learn in different ways and to keep up in today’s rapidly-changing and connected world, we believe play will help us adapt. One way to do this is to connect students’ passions with real-world experience in order to foster exploration of interests inside and outside of the classroom. We are launching a summer of learning that will utilize existing educational programing across our community partnerships and create linkages that encourage and challenge young people to step outside their comfort zone and explore new activities. So many great learning assets exist in our community such as the Orlando Science Center, Melrose Center at the OCLS Downtown Library, and the maker-studio Factur where you can learn how to sew, stargazing, how to 3D print, woodworking, and flight simulation. An awesome grant will directly finance the kick-off event to promote our summer program to community education stakeholders by demonstrating these ideas of playground learning. On March 23, we will gather 30 education stakeholders and embark on a journey to move through our city, learning how to fly a drone. The event begins at the Melrose Center, where we get hands-on experience flying mini drones. We will then board the Lymmo downtown and arrive at the classroom in Lynx Central station where we will participate in a lecture on the legality of flying drones from an attorney who practices drone law. Next we will SunRail to Mad Cow Theatre to engage in performance activities to investigate the moral and ethical implications of drones in our society today. Finally we will Juice bicycle to the Dr Phillips Center where we will fly full-size drones with assistance of professional pilots and capture high definition video/photo footage to be used in future summer of learning activities. We have a strategic plan and support letters available if Awesome Foundation would like to review them.

Stockholm (Inactive) – Folkparken – the people’s park!

2016-02-24T00:00:00Z

To buy or rent land in Stockholm is very expensive, which makes Stockholm quite inaccessible for groups without strong financial resources. At the same time there’s one type of land that’s valuable and heavily subsidized for those who have a car - parking lots. For just 15kr/hr you can put something as big and expensive as a car in central parts of the city. Cheap rent for something that doesn’t add much to making the city an awesome place. Is that such good idea? Now what if you could transform these parking bays into something amazing, something awesome? Instead of cars we will park trailers on bays, trailers that will have a whole heap of different things on them for people to enjoy. Imagine parks, planter boxes, jacuzzis, outdoor cinemas, you name it. The inspiration will flourish and transform a Stockholm street for an entire week!

Newmarket – Lego Club

2016-02-23T00:00:00Z

Being a teacher and working in the town I love and also a resident in? I have the opportunity to work with many people in the community. Until being exposed to my small school with a big heart I had a new outlook on my job and purpose. Being in a school where there are higher needs in social and emotional and providing a safe environment is extreme,y important. Unfortunately being a school with under 100 students it is hard to create extra curricular programs. Students have approached my in starting more activities at school and hands on learning such as Lego. Being able to incorporate the tools within the classroom it could also provide an opportunity many of the students would not have outside of he school.

London, ON (Inactive) – EVAC Soundproofing

2016-02-23T00:00:00Z

For the past 7 years EVAC has been a hub for art, music, creative ideas, and community support in Old East Village. This past fall we made a move from 757 Dundas to 755 Dundas; a space 4 times the size of our previous home where we will be able to provide more programming, more art, bigger shows, and further develop our dynamic relationship with the East Village Community. Throughout the years we have been home to many artists and activists, and in this new space we hope to expand that family. While at 757 we were able to run as a community, bringing together what we had in order to create what we wanted. Now that we are changing location, we are also going to change our designation, and turn into a Not-for-profit. This status and this larger space we can provide a venue for local musicians to develop their sound and be heard above ground in London, ON; emerging artists will have room to work on their craft and walls to display their work; we will be able to provide seminars and classes in addition to the Anarchist Free School who provides weekly discussions at EVAC; we will further develop our community support initiatives like Safe Space, a drop-in centre for women on Monday and Tuesday’s, or the community meals provided for by Food Not Bombs. We have a lot of fundraising to do in order to get EVAC in a position to be the best possible venue for creativity and community to flourish in the OEV.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Sidewalk Kintsukuroi at MASS MoCA

2016-02-23T00:00:00Z

My awesome project is a new artwork bringing some loving attention to cracks, margins, connections, and repairs! "Sidewalk Kintsukuroi" expands on the traditional Japanese art of Kintsukuroi (meaning “to repair with gold;” traditionally performed on ceramics) taking it, literally, out into the streets. At the heart of the idea of such “golden repair” is that something is made more beautiful for having been broken - a deeply poetic take on healing and celebrating the beauty in our flaws. My aim is to create something beautiful that connects with the nature of change in the natural and human-structured world, and also resonates with personal repair we all undertake on ourselves from time to time. My first site-specific installation of Sidewalk Kintsukuroi will be created at MASS MoCA this spring as part of a new exhibition entitled "The Space Between" (See the exhibition page for more details: http://www.massmoca.org/event_details.php?id=1051) I'll be "repairing" the cracks in the outdoor museum courtyard with various resins and gold pigments for the exhibition opening April 16, 2016.

Boulder, CO (Inactive) – New Vista Music Studio

2016-02-23T00:00:00Z

The project will consist of teachers and students at New Vista high School on Baseline Rd. in Boulder, working together, to convert the current music room into an audio engineering and recording studio. The New Vista Music Studio. We would like to expand the current music course offerings at the school, which focus mostly on performance. The newly added engineering studio would incorporate both audio sciences and technical aspects of music production for those students that perform as well as for those students that are motivated by music but not performers. The newly constructed New Vista Music Studio will not only be used for audio recording but will be used as a media production inter-space, to correlate with the expanding video production studio at the school. The New Vista Music Studio will be a fully functioning audio engineering studio on par with college level productions. The projected course offerings will be pre-college preparation right into one college level course. The New Vista Music Studio will prepare students for college level Audio Engineering programs. Eventually, the studio could be presented to the community as a student volunteered production company, or on a paid per project basis for school fundraising.

Amsterdam (Inactive) – Flashy Fish

2016-02-21T00:00:00Z