Awesome Foundation - Projects

LA South Bay, CA (Inactive) – Project Fuzzy Friends

2016-04-04T00:00:00Z

Simple. The mission is to give out as many fuzzy friends as we can, for free! Stuffed animals help kids tremendously and provide multiple benefits. Which is why our goal is to give out as many stuffed animals to those kids that need it most. I,e homeless shelters and hospitals. All right here in Los Angeles/South Bay. There are thousands of awesome causes and charities around the world. But our goal with Project Fuzzy Friends, is to create an easy, fun, and inexpensive way to help others, specifically kids. Research shows a stuffed animal is 1) a distraction from pain 2) provides feelings of safety and comfort, and 3) helps people control emotions. I heard about awesomefoundation a while ago, and this motivated me to get something going. I think this is a great way to help and give back. I would like to start the project by giving these stuffed animals away locally. (I just applied to the L.A chapter as well. But both LA and LA/South Bay are local to me.)

Sydney – The Super Pollinators - Aussie Native Bees

2016-04-04T00:00:00Z

There are more than 200 species of native bees in Sydney area, vital for pollination of crops and biodiversity function. I am an environmental educator offering incursions into primary schools to spread the buzz about Aussie Bees. In the 1.5 hour workshop, kids learn about the bee species that live in their area, each build a bee hotel for solitary native bee species (to take home), get to view a collection of preserved local insects (including bees) under a magnifying light and receive (where available) a free native plants to grow near their bee hotel. They will learn about the importance of pollination and the role of the introduced honeybee. I also discuss the threats to the honeybee worldwide which amplifies the need to better provide for our Aussie Native Bees. My delivery of the workshop is via an awesome presentation in which I have sourced the most mind blowing bee images that have kids captivated. As a former art director (magazines, tv adverstising) I make sure it rocks. The presentation also covers the different quirks of the native bees which combined is essential for maximum pollination success. The beauty of this workshop is that kids feel empowered - they are able to take their beautiful bee hotel home, sharing their new knowledge with family and friends - the result being that kids are educating the community and will make better environmental decisions as adults. The workshop also meets the NSW school curriculum outcomes - detailed in the flyer. I am launching Kids Connecting Nature this year commencing with the Super Pollinators workshop and aim to roll out other biodiversity workshops as I grow. My second workshop will be "A Hollow Is A Home' - teaching kids about the 303 hollow dependent species in Australia and having the children build nesting boxes for microbats. I have big plans for Kids Connecting Nature and I hope 'The Super Pollinators' is the beginning of an exciting (and greener) future.

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Vism

2016-04-04T00:00:00Z

VISM strives to foster a sustainable culture of service and social responsibility in university students by connecting them to skill-based volunteering opportunities with nonprofits. Students develop their professional skills and talents through real world application, while nonprofits gain access to high-achieving talent and increase their capacity for social impact. VISM creates a movement in which university students are able to take charge of their personal and professional growth while nonprofits thrive off the passion of skill-based student volunteers. VISM would be the first online platform leading the movement of skill-based volunteering for university students. How it works (basic): Nonprofits post skill-based projects, students apply to projects aligned with their values/skills they desire to develop/have. Both parties agree to work on the project together. More good done (more efficiently and effectively) in the world! VISM focuses on: 1. instilling a long-term commitment to service in university students 2. develop young professionals for future success 3. increasing the capacity and effectiveness of nonprofits so they can grow Student benefits: connect with nonprofits that share their values, develop self-efficacy and professional skills, take control of their learning Nonprofit benefits: save resources, discover new talent and build relationships with students/ universities, share their cause with masses We are currently a team of 6 university students. Vism has been invited twice to the Clinton Global Initiative University (2015,2016). Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, CGI U is an annual conference that brings together university student leaders together to make a social impact on their campuses, communities, and world. Student leaders are selected for their innovative Commitments to Action.

Paris (Inactive) – Festiwall- Festival d'art urbain au fil de l'eau

2016-04-04T00:00:00Z

Les 21 et 22 mai 2016, l’association De l’amour et des murs!, en partenariat avec la galerie d’art urbain The Wall et la mairie du 19ème arrondissement de Paris collaboreront autour du 1er festival d’art urbain parisien: le Festiwall. Les berges du Canal de l’Ourcq et du Canal Saint-Denis seront alors rythmées par les performances artistiques d’une vingtaine de street artistes (Stew, Jo di Bona, JBC, Iza Zaro, Beerens…). Le Festiwall a pour objectif de rassembler un public très large autour d’un art qui ne cesse de s’enrichir. Organiser ce festival dans le 19ème fait sens et encourage la reconquête de l’espace urbain dans un quartier populaire aujourd’hui en pleine mutation. La bourse de l’Awesome Foundation Paris contribuera à l’atelier créatif à destination des enfants organisé par le street artiste Toc Toc, ainsi qu’à la fresque participative à destination du public. On may 21-22, 2016, the organisation De l’amour et des murs!, in partnership with the gallery The Wall, and the 19th arrondissement of Paris, will set up the first Parisian street-art festival : Festiwall. The embankments of the Canal de l’Ourcq and the Canal Saint-Denis will host perfomances by 20 street-artists (Stew, Jo di Bona, JBC, Iza Zaro, Beerens…). The goal of Festiwall is to bring together a large audience around an art that is growing richer and deeper. Implementing the festival in the 19th arrondissement will contribute to the re-appropriation of the urban territory in a popular neighborhood that is undergoing profound mutations. The Awesome Foundation’s grant will contribute to creative workshops for children – organised by the street artist Toc Toc – and to the collaborative fesco.

Orlando, FL – La Isla de la Munecas

2016-04-04T00:00:00Z

Cultural Background The vision is to create an elaborate art piece based on Mexican folklore that is both haunting and beautiful. Isla de las Munecas, or the Island of the Dolls, is a tribute to the dead in Xochimilco, Mexico. The island belonged to a man named Julián Santana Barrera. Barrera was a loner, who was rarely seen in Xochimilco. According to the legend, Barrera discovered a little girl drowned in the canals under mysterious circumstances. He also found a doll floating nearby and, assuming it belonged to the deceased girl, hung it from a tree as a sign of respect. After this, he began to hear whispers, footsteps and anguished wails in the darkness even though his hut, hidden deep inside the woods of Xochimilco was miles away from civilization. Driven by fear, he spent the next fifty years hanging more and more dolls, some with missing body parts, all over the island in an attempt to appease what he believed to be the drowned girl’s spirit. After Barrera’s death in 2001, where his body was reportedly found in the exact spot he found the girl’s body 50 years before, the area became a popular tourist attraction where visitors hang more dolls. The locals describe it as 'charmed' - not haunted - even though travelers claim the dolls whisper to them. The proposal will transform the lobby of City Arts Factory during the Dias De Los Muertos & Monster Factory exhibit in October, into an interactive Isla de las Munecas. This would include a large tree with dolls and items hanging all over its limbs. Signage will convey the legend with instructions on how patrons can participate in the exhibit. A secondary piece, in the shape of tree stump, will hold paper and pens allowing patrons to leave the names on the tree as a way of honoring and remembering their own loved ones. By involving the patrons, the energy of the community will be focused on the positive of the legend and hopefully assist in a level of closure, celebration and respect for their loved ones.

Ann Arbor, MI – Ypsilanti Womens mural

2016-04-03T00:00:00Z

Our first mural in 2015 was focused on African American history of Ypsilanti. They created a bold bright mural on HP Jacobs a form slave who moved himself and family to Ypsilanti. Became a A minister taught himself to read and write opened up school African American children later became one of the founders of Jackson State University. The students would like their next mural to be on the historical Women of ypsilanti. They are working with local historian to study the history taking, taking field trips throughout the city and sketching out their ideas for the mural. They will have help from myself and a professional artist. The community of Ypsilanti came out and supported our unvieling in November. You can see our past work on YouTube.https://youtu.be/nAo0Bo-E4XU We need help to make this next mural become a reality. We hope you will consider us.

Portland, OR – The Portland 'Puggy' Bank

2016-04-03T00:00:00Z

An art sculpture designed by a local artist and placed in a spot downtown with high foot traffic to act as a piggy bank/ongoing public fundraiser for low to no income residents in the downtown area. I was thinking we could do a twist on the piggy bank and call it a 'puggy bank' cos ya know, keep portland weird, and have the artist design a really cute looking pug statue! There are many downtown non-profits that provide aid to Portland's homeless residents. Such as P:ear - helping homeless youth and Sisters of the Road - providing free an inexpensive meals. The money collected can go to supporting the 'ending homelessness efforts' that already exist or even go to funding a whole new effort to help provide safe shelter for our homeless and at risk friends!

Sarnia (Inactive) – Palette of Change

2016-04-01T00:00:00Z

My Grade 11-12 Design Class at S.C.I.T.S want to design a 6 foot mixed media paint palette to be hung on the wall of the school we end up in. With the changes that are looming in our community, my class wants to represent the positive forces of change that shape each and every one of us. We plan to have the palette constructed out of wood by a former S.C.I.T.S. Student because we want to honour the alumni in this piece. We plan on including elements from the past that represent our school that we love and that we will continue to love no matter what happens. It will serve as a reminder to all the students who view it that we are proud of our history and that our past makes our present truly beautiful.

Atlanta, GA (Inactive) – The Soul Kitchen

2016-04-01T00:00:00Z

Created by the Chief Change Maker of Black Celebrity Giving (BCG), Jasmine Crowe, in 2013. The idea for Sunday Soul was to provide men, women and children experiencing homelessness with a hot, home-cooked meal complete with amazing volunteers and classic old school music. Two years later, BCG introduced the Sunday Soul Pop-Up Restaurant to provide a 5-course meal, restaurant style for the homeless. The event was well received and went viral across the country attracting more than 1 million views.  Introducing The Soul Kitchen: The natural progression and long term goal for Jasmine has always been to open a soup kitchen with one goal, to simply serve better. Better food, a better atmosphere and a better experience. Beyond offering hot meals to those in need. The Soul Kitchen will provide tools to help those who are unemployed or underemployed to develop skills that move them toward economic self- sufficiency, while providing a critical service to men, women and children who face food insecurity everyday. The Soul Kitchen will reduce hunger and increase the availability of healthy local food by allowing farmers and organizations serving the hungry a place in which to process unsold, excess produce that would normally end up in the landfill or compost pile. By offering a training service apprenticeship partnered with: local chefs, bakers and hospitality service professionals, providing those seeking change with skills to obtain them. Upon graduating from the apprenticeship, Soul Kitchen staff will assist with resume building, interview skills and job search assistance. In addition to the apprentice program, the Soul Kitchen has a unique socioeconomic business model that will provide Atlanta residents with employment while filing a void.

Melbourne (Inactive) – The Wonder Woman Bootcamp

2016-03-31T00:00:00Z

The WWBC is a program aimed at self-empowering girls in Grades 5-8 to connect with their inner awesome. Run over 5 consecutive days in the school holidays, girls learn how to be their most awesome and gain tools for creating their own most awesome life. We love awesomeness! During the course girls learn actual, practical, take-home skills they can use to become more confident, increase their self-belief and connect with others. We use workshops, role plays, art sessions and psychophysical techniques to explore concepts such as communication, mindfulness, body image, optimism, emotional resilience and maintaining healthy connections. Two special features are the Physical and Personal Challenges. Day three involves a group trip out to the 1000 Steps track in the Dandenongs for a Physical Challenge in order to have girls connect with nature, their bodies, their minds and their peers. The Personal Challenge creates an ongoing aspect to the program, making the effects more meaningful and long-term. It involves girls creating their own personal challenge based on their inner spark or passion. To help them implement their challenge in the months following the bootcamp, each participant connects with one of the trained teen mentors that assist on the bootcamp. These mentors also provide support in girls keeping up their positive practice once the bootcamp is over to ensure that the skills learnt are actually used rather than just enjoyed during a fun 5-day holiday program.

San Antonio, TX – Street2Feet

2016-03-30T00:00:00Z

Street2 Feet is a 5k training program that promotes spiritual, mental and physical health among individuals experiencing homelessness. We believe through the joy of running we are able to build healthier communities and lifestyles regardless of income. We introduce walking and running as an accessible activity that builds healthy individuals, families and communities. We train 3 times per week throughout the year rain, shine, San Antonio hot summers and our "cold" winters. We have seen firsthand how one’s self esteem, confidence and perseverance improves when our participants increase their mileage, feel healthier overall- mind , body, spirit and accomplish their goals of completing a 5K Run by toeing the start line and crossing the finish line!

San Antonio, TX – Missed Opportunity Improv

2016-03-30T00:00:00Z

Missed Opportunity is a new local improv comedy troupe and collective that aims to bring more improv comedy shows and opportunities to people in San Antonio. Our project will begin in April 2016, and will provide weekly improv jams, monthly workshops, and bi-weekly improv comedy shows to the greater San Antonio community. The Playhouse San Antonio has offered us their space to conduct these educational programs and shows, and we are currently looking for funding sources to offset rental costs and promotional materials.

Washington, DC – Black Broadway on U: A Transmedia Project

2016-03-30T00:00:00Z

About the project: A multimedia (transmedia) activation, Black Broadway on U: Echoes of an Era, featuring a pop-up, live musical tribute with our Pearl Bailey re-enactor and her band as well as interactive, pop-up exhibit wall featuring historical content and vintage set design with memorabilia created by Nomad Yard Collectiv at the 2016 Funk Parade on Saturday, May 7th. This multimedia activation seeks to bridge DC's Black Broadway on U history with the physical and digital via mobile and/or tablet devices. The pop-up, interactive exhibit will be powered by augmented reality to give our event attendees, an enhanced view of the rich history and cultural legacy of Black Broadway on U, where digital information (content) and interactions are added to this real world environment. Users (event attendees) will unlock this augmented reality experience featuring exclusive Black Broadway on U content (videos, photos, music and data visualizations) by viewing physical triggers with a camera-enabled device, such as a smartphone or tablet via Aurasma app. The result -- a cost-effective, engaging multimedia activation that inspires curiosity and sparks interest amongst DC area youth and the community at large about the rich history and cultural heritage of DC's Black Broadway on U.

Raleigh, NC (Inactive) – Popup Bike Share

2016-03-30T00:00:00Z

The Popup Bike share Project is meant to bring attention to and build excitement around the newly passed Bike Share program that will be coming to Raleigh. We will be setting up a mock bike share station and adding Pink Awesome Bikes for anyone and everyone to take for a joy ride during First Friday on May 5th! The real Raleigh Bike Share Program will be hugely beneficial to our community. Research has provided data suggesting benefits across the board from improving community health through exercise, reducing our carbon footprint by exploring environmentally friendly modes of transportation, reduced traffic by encouraging bike commuting, and economic benefits as a tourism draw. We hope the Awesome Popup Bike Share will be a fun way to spread the word and encourage Bike Share advocacy and participation!

Awesome Without Borders (Inactive) – Parkwood Technology Centre

2016-03-29T00:00:00Z

The Parkwood Technology Centre (PTC) is an initiative in partnership with the South African education nonprofit Bottomup to create technology access and computer training in the community of Parkwood in Cape Town. We aim to renovate and expand an existing computer lab at Parkwood Primary School (PPS), upgrading technology and creating a space that will enhance student learning and provide computer access for the entire community. Parkwood was formerly designated as a “Coloureds Only” area under Apartheid, but 20 years later, the effects of systemic racism in Parkwood are still apparent. The community experiences 40% unemployment and high levels of gang violence and crime. Only 20% of residents have finished high school, and 30% do not complete primary school. Technology access is extremely limited for all in Parkwood, as there are no public computers within a 3km radius. In response to these issues, our nonprofit partner Bottomup runs a small computer lab at PPS for an award-winning computer-based extracurricular math program. Since their pilot in 2014, the percentage of Grade 3 learners passing the national exams doubled from 26% to 51%. However, the existing lab is undersized with unreliable technology, limiting Bottomup’s programs to half the school’s learners. In order to support Bottomup’s efforts, we are collaborating to design the new PTC to serve as a central learning hub for learners and for the community, providing convenient and affordable access to computers to combat high unemployment and dropout rates. We are working with local architects and engineers to double the size of the lab and upgrade its technology and facilities. The improved center will accommodate all learners in Bottomup’s impactful programs and will empower teachers with technology skills to improve the quality of education at PPS. The PTC will provide much-needed access to computers and training to enable success in the digital age.

Alaska (Inactive) – The Alaskan Invasive and Native Paper Project

2016-03-29T00:00:00Z

My plan is to teach people about invasive and wild Alaskan plants through papermaking. Collectively we will harvest, forage and process plant fibers and then make them into paper and natural dyes. We will construct the deckles with the aid of local volunteers and woodworkers. Deckles of varying sizes will be created to allow participants to explore various papermaking techniques and projects. Participants will engage in papermaking at all stages, ensuring familiarity with the entirety of the process, from plant to paper. This project serves several purposes. It allows a wide demographic of people to be introduced to Native Alaskan and invasive plants as well as the papermaking process. Papermaking is labor intensive activity which requires many hands. It is naturally a communal craft. I am able to share my knowledge of papermaking and fiber with my community while encouraging participants to engage in the natural world. This project will allow for networking and skill sharing among participants while providing a social connection to other members of the community. Personally, this project challenges me to become more familiar with invasive plants and to explore the characteristics and possibilities of plants that I am already familiar with. Not only is this a creative, collaborative project but it also an educational one that has the potential to involve many people. I enjoy facilitating collaborative art projects because I feel that the artmaking becomes a rich dialog among participants. I have headed several collaborative art project within the last year and consider it a crucial aspect of my artmaking process. I feel that craft is a process of sharing traditional skills and adding your own voice to them. I have felt very passionate about this project for several years, but finally feel I in a position to execute it with all of my energy. Thank you for considering my project and for your continued support of awesome projects throughout Alaska.

Stockholm (Inactive) – Another life

2016-03-29T00:00:00Z

Sweden is often considered to have one of the best music scenes in the world. Music and sound is more or less pumping through the swedes' blood – with more pop artists per capita than anywhere else. However, when it comes to our real surrounding in Stockholm – they are more or less dead. The trees don't sing, the streets won’t roar and buildings don't growl. How wonderful wouldn’t it be if these inanimate object would come to life? Another kind of life that can only be found by those who search for them? This month’s winner Robin Jonsson is a choreographer and sound artist that work with sound-transducers that lead sound through materials rather than air. The effect is that the sound can only be heard when putting ones ear onto the object. What might seem like a silent tree in the outskirts of Stockholm might actually play a full symphony within. You just have to search hard enough...

Jumbos (Inactive) – Freeville Community Garden

2016-03-29T00:00:00Z

We are breaking ground on a community garden in the heart of the Village of Freeville that will connect the elementary school, local food pantry, and a range of diverse residents by growing food together. Tucked into the bend of Fall Creek, this space was historically home to a truck farm and is currently a small playground with two baseball fields. There is still ample space for other activities here and a community garden will be a great fit. We are starting small - a 50'x50' fenced in garden with 10'x10' individual plots. There are a number of master gardeners in this small community, but many homes in the area do not have the sun-exposure for a kitchen garden or the money to invest in a necessary fence to keep out the deer and other critters who are also interested in sharing the bounty of the harvest. We have a unique opportunity to partner with both an elementary school that has a high percentage of children from low-income families as well as a food pantry that distributes groceries to those in need twice a month.

Philadelphia, PA – Recording Studio at The LINC High School

2016-03-28T00:00:00Z

I would like to build a recording studio at LINC High School in North Philadelphia. This is a project I have taken on after many requests from the students. I can give them art credit, bring in artists and engineering professionals from the community, a give the students a positive outlet, a reason to come to school, and a forum to collaborate with others.

Austin, TX – CaveCast: Stories from Austin High Schoolers

2016-03-28T00:00:00Z

Even before Serial, podcast listenership has been rising since 2013 with 1.6 billion subscriptions and 20 billion downloads. Students are interested in podcasts, and Austin Bat Cave is excited to help them explore this alternative form of writing to grow their digital literacy. Led by a freelance writer for Austin American-Statesman and frequent contributor to KUT, this workshop gives students the opportunity to learn how podcasts move from the conceptual stage to the recording studio. Students will listen to different podcast genres--mystery, comedy & humor, feminist, sci-fi, news, etc--and practice writing in each form. Austin Bat Cave will bring in radio wizards like Matt Laregy, the managing editor at KUT, who will guide our campers through the process of producing a radio show. This week-long summer camp is being offered free to local high school students with preference given to our partner programs at Title 1 schools. Over the course of the week, students will use professional recording equipment and editing software to produce professional-quality podcast episodes. Their work will be highlighted on the Austin Bat Cave website as well as included in our annual anthology of kid’s writing. Our classroom volunteers guide students and work one-on-one with them through the writing process. Students improve their composition skills, necessary to apply for jobs and achieve success in professional settings. In the short term, students gain knowledge of a given writing area or genre, produce work for an intended purpose or project, and complete an assignment or prompt. In the long term, students gain confidence, self-efficacy, and cumulative knowledge regarding how to express themselves through the written word.

Philadelphia, PA – Nutrition and Healthy Cooking classes

2016-03-28T00:00:00Z

I am the Founder of Garden of Health, Inc. Our mission is to help the community get healthy. We would like to be able to offer healthy cooking classes to low income individuals in our community. These classes would be offered free of charge. In each class students would learn basic cooking skills while learning a new healthy recipe. I am hoping to be able to offer these classes once a week focusing on a different fresh ingredient each week. We will also discuss the nutritional make up of the fresh item and how it can help with their health. Does it stabilize blood sugar, anti-inflamatory, etc? They will learn basic knife skills and other food prepping ideas to make it easier to cook meals instead of going for the already prepared box meals.

Seattle, WA – Paper Puppet Opera

2016-03-27T00:00:00Z

Paper Puppet Opera is a new way of experiencing opera and classical vocal music. The actors are puppets, all made of paper. This includes shadow puppets, moving paper dolls, large paper toy theaters, and whatever else we can dream up. We present a mixture of forgotten operas, sacred music, cantatas, choral pieces, art songs, and arias with live singers and instrumentalists. The instrumentation might often be rather strange, and sometimes completely electronic. Right now we have a trio that consists of keyboards/synthesizer, flute, and cello. We envision sacred music in a new way, focusing on the abstract and surreal aspects, and we create striking tableaux with moving characters for hilarious productions of old comic operas. We have our inaugural show booked for September 9 and 10, 2016 at Trinity Parish Hall in downtown Seattle. On that bill are two coffee cantatas, a French Baroque one by Bernier in addition to the well loved Bach piece. Both of these works will be enacted on top of a giant paper teacup. Our grand finale will be a shadow puppet version of a one act French comic opera by Gluck called The Isle of Merlin written in 1758. This piece includes several old French vaudeville tunes which have long since been forgotten, but I am researching them and finding them to be quite catchy and well worth hearing again. I am pretty certain that this Gluck piece has never been performed in Seattle before. In August of 2015 I embarked on a test run of this project with a shadow puppet production of Mozart's unfinished opera The Goose of Cairo as part of a larger opera cabaret show. The audience loved it and wanted to know when we would mount another shadow puppet opera as soon as the curtain went down. Much of the same cast has already signed up to perform in Paper Puppet Opera for our upcoming production. The entire Goose opera was captured on video and can be seen at the project website via the "past productions" link.

Yerevan – Ժայռամագլցման արահետ

2016-03-25T00:00:00Z

Տարին բոլոր, յուրաքանչյուր հնարավորության դեպքում գնում եմ ՀՀ սահմանամերձ գյուղերից Վայոց Ձոր մարզի Գոմք գյուղ վայելելու համայնքի էներգիան, ժողովրդավարության մասին կարդացածս տեսությունների իրականացումը տեղում տեսնելու և համայնքային բյուջեն գյուղի մեծ ու փոքրով ըստ տարվա առաջնահերթությունների բաշխելու գործընթացին «մասնակցելու» (գյուղի գրանցում չունեմ, պարզապես իրենք բավական թափանցիկ են): Գյուղ մտնելուց զգացվում է, թե շրջապատն ինչ մեծ ձգողականություն ունի՝ շունչդ կտրվում է բնության գեղեցկությունից, ուժից ու ազդեցությունից, երևի հենց սա է, որ մարդկանց մաքուր ու պարզ է պահել, չի պղտորել միտքն ու բանականությունը: Գյուղ հաճախակի են զբոսաշրջիկներ գալիս, բայց ենթակառուցվածքների շատ թույլ զարգացած լինելու պատճառով արագ պտտվում ու դուրս են գալիս, այնինչ, նրանց զբաղեցնելու հնարավորություններ լինելու դեպքում հնարավոր կլինի և զբոսաշրջային հոսք ապահովել, և զարգացնել գյուղացիների մոտ B&B հնարավորությունը: Գյուղի էկոզբոսաշրջային հնարավորությունները հասանելի դարձնելու համար նպատակ եմ դրել աջակցել տեղում տեղացիների կողմից բիզնեսի կազմակերպմանը ենթակառուցվածքներ ստեղծելու միջոցով, որն օգտագործելով տեղացիները կմատուցեն որոշակի ծառայություններ, իսկ ես մշտապես կաջակցեմ գյուղի հանրայնացմանն ու կօգնեմ, որ տեղացիները ի վիճակի լինեն օգտագործել ռեսուրսը: Ծրագրիս նպատակն է տեղի ժայռային համակարգը հարմարեցնել ժայռամագլցումների կազմակերպման համար: Դրա համար հարկավոր է մաքրել ժայռերը քարաքոսերից և այլ բույսերից, գնահատել ժայռերն ու ժայռամագլցման արահետները ըստ բարդությունների, ամրացնել ժայռերին կեռիկներն ըստ նախապես պլանավորած բարդությունների:

Amsterdam (Inactive) – Tree-WiFi

2016-03-24T00:00:00Z

I'm working on a project to let trees in the city measure pollution and reward people for keeping the air clean by giving free WiFi: Tree-WiFi! Each tree is outfitted with a sensor, cool lights that show the quality of the air, and when the air quality improves the tree gives the entire street Tree-WiFi. By showing pollution levels through the lungs of the city I want to raise local awareness for this issue. By giving people free WiFi and cool lights when the air quality improves I want to make taking the bike or public transport something that has a very clear advantage, and a street full of sparkling trees is really awesome, don't you think?

Newmarket – Project Autism - York Region - I Can

2016-03-24T00:00:00Z

The “I Can” Initiative is designed to increase social interaction, learning and development for autistic children and youth. The ‘I CAN’ program is designed to inspire creativity, curiosity and encourage hidden talents with a variety of fun, interactive classes. It is an opportunity for social interaction and fun in a completely accepting environment. It is about community working together and creating something new and exciting. Together we are creating a nurturing environment that our children can be a part of. There is no judgement and no expectations from them. They are free to be themselves and are accepted for who they are. We encourage them to explore, try new experiences and find the best version of themselves. Our programs are completely free. Everything we do is done through the generosity of volunteers. This way there are no barriers for anyone to participate. Our programs are geared towards those on the autism spectrum but are open to any special needs children regardless of diagnosis. Some I Can events we have done in the past are: Painting, Cookie Decorating, and Snowshoeing, The ones we are planning for the near future are: Woodworking, Horseback Riding, Kids Fitness, Scrapbooking and Cooking. We continue to plan more events each and every month. We would like to do some more active I Can programs including Rock Climbing, Floor Hockey and Curling.

Twin Cities, MN (Inactive) – Hot Tub Time Machine

2016-03-23T00:00:00Z

Last school year I challenged my Spec.Ed. students to help me come up with an idea for an accessible mini-golf course hole that would combine multiple sensory stimulation opportunities. We used a snow sculpture design I created for the U.S. National snow sculpting competition a few years ago with addition of animatronic legs, eyes, switch operated trunk blasts of water, sound fx, and bright pink faux fur. We received a grant for $5k from the Can Can Wonderland mini-golf course to build it. Half up front, and half upon completion. About halfway through the ordering of materials, the fire inspectors come through and relabeled the space we were going to building as a commercial use structure. The label change means that all of our materials are not required to be flame retardant and of a commercial spec. quality, which basically ate up our entire budget! I don't want to give up this project because my students are expecting to see/hear/and feel a pair of 16' animatronic Mastodons in a hot tub of tar!!! The Mini-Gold Course will be open to the public mid-April and is expected to see 100,000 Twin Cities patrons and out-of-towners a year. The course is located in the 400,000 Sq.Ft canning facility off Prior and University in Saint Paul. It is projected to be the Coney Island of the Twin Cities when it is done.

Tallahassee, FL (Inactive) – Building Communities that Conserve Wetlands

2016-03-23T00:00:00Z

For the past six years, Coastal Plains Institute has been working to repatriate a salamander species, the striped newt, which completely disappeared from the Apalachicola National Forest. Our research site lies just south of Tallahassee, and centers around a unique landscape feature called an ephemeral wetland. While we do offer field trips, not every student in Tallahassee can come out to our wetlands. Our Wetland Wagon program will bring our research and the wetlands into the classroom! Students will have the opportunity to interact with one of our ecologists as well as some of the unique amphibian species that depend on ephemeral wetlands, all within the framework of an educational standards-aligned lesson. The Wetland Wagon is a way to engage students in our conservation efforts and hopefully influence their attitudes towards the longleaf pine ecosystem, ephemeral wetlands, the suite of amphibians that breed in these wetlands, and the challenges faced by all three of these components.

New York City, NY – Amateur Science Meets Superconductor Research

2016-03-23T00:00:00Z

Superconductors are materials that allow for the continuous transmission of electric and magnetic fields without loss of energy. They have numerous applications to industry, transportation, power generation, and medicine. This Awesome Foundation grant has been awarded to continue research on superconductor production methods which will could allow for the production of irregularly shaped superconductors. These irregular shapes could be utilized in power transmission, magnetic levitation trains, medical devices, and in plasma reactors. But perhaps more importantly to us, we are funding the people behind the project and their desire to make scientific progress in the face of so many obstacles. In grant recipient Joseph Nardone's own words, "by supporting our project you will allow us to prove that amateur science and inventions can be supported with little funding. We currently live in an environment where many see academia as broken and requiring huge funding to make progress. By supporting smaller projects that are backed by passion AwesomeNYC can prove that amateur science can and will continue to march onward." We think that's pretty Awesome.

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 – 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 – 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.