Awesome Foundation - Projects

Ottawa – Trans Health Clinic Client Celebration

2024-06-30T00:00:00Z

June’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Ava Anderson and Holly Brown for a client celebration for Centretown Community Health Centre’s [Trans Health Clinic] (https://www.centretownchc.org/trans-health). “We would like to have a celebration,” explains Ava, “to foster connections between our clients, uplift and celebrate the trans community of Ottawa, and provide services that may otherwise be unavailable.” “Ultimately,” she continues, “we want to bridge the gaps. We want to help connect gender diverse people in our catchment and foster friendships and community. We want to affirm our clients’ identities in an environment that is safe, affirming, and welcoming. We want them to know that they are valued, appreciated, and have resources out there available to them.” The award will support including local businesses – such as a stylist to provide gender-affirming haircuts to clients, or a makeup artist to share gender-affirming tips. “Our clients,” explains Ava, “are gender diverse individuals from Ottawa and the surrounding regions, 17 and up, who are seeking support on their gender journey. This could look like seeking referrals for hormone replacement therapy, referrals for various surgeries, counselling, and group support. We currently have a client base of over 350.” Ava is a fourth year Bachelor of Social Work student at Carleton university completing a practicum at the Centretown Community Health Centre, and Holly is Team Lead of the Centre’s Trans Health Program.

Disability – Penny Forward

2024-06-30T00:00:00Z

a. According to the CDC, there are over seven million blind and visually impaired people in the United States who study, work and support families while experiencing a 70 percent unemployment rate. One of the most important remedies for this alarming situation is basic financial literacy and planning, yet we face exclusion from the most fundamental financial literacy programs due to inaccessible web sites, materials and/or lack of knowledge about the financial reality of blind people in the financial education field. Penny Forward is a nonprofit organization, founded and led by blind people. Together, we empower each other to navigate the complex landscape of personal finance through education, mentoring, and mutual support. We offer a range of learning opportunities including accessible, self-paced online financial education courses, weekly and monthly personal finance workshops, and personalized financial counseling by blind accredited financial counselors. Our regular blog and podcast introduce blind people who are making a difference in the world and provide timely, critical information to blind people everywhere. Our app reduces the friction even more enabling blind people to access critical information no matter where they are. We are demonstrating that we, as blind people, can take charge of our financial lives and together, we can move the blind community from being recipients of services to being contributors to our society by enabling economic mobility, and assisting people to focus on long-term growth instead of short-term survival. Every individual we mentor contributes to positive, collective, community change. Each day we move closer to erasing the long-standing unemployment rate and financial marginalization among blind people forever. **What our grantee is saying:** "It’s been so wonderful to see first-hand the impact we’ve been able to make on the financial confidence of the people we’ve served so far. As a young and growing organization, we know there is so much more we must do, though. This funding from the Awesome Foundation will amplify our impact making it possible to change even more lives. Thank you, Awesome Foundation, for this generous gift."

New York City, NY – Awán Na?

2024-06-30T00:00:00Z

Awán Na? is a children's book that was created to introduce children or beginning readers to the Algonkian Y dialect and the idea of animacy and how it relates to Northeastern Woodland Indigenous Cultures. _It was against the law for indigenous peoples to speak their native tongues during the colonization of America. As a result, many indigenous languages in the USA have become nearly extinct. Awán Na? will be instrumental in helping to revitalize the Y dialect of the Algonkian language. This book speaks to the younger generation of learners that has proven to be adept at learning new language rules unconsciously, through passive exposure._ _Indigenous peoples in my community often say that it is important for our peoples to learn our native tongues so that when we pray to Creator and speak to our ancestors we will be understood. In addition, I say that our language is the vessel that has carried our culture, traditions, heritage and history from the beginning of time to today. Learning our language will ground our people, rooting them in their historical relevance. Awán Na? is a means by which a very small but crucial portion of our language, the vessel of our cultural identity, will be carried._ Sadanyah Flowing Water is a member of the Montauk Tribe of Indians Council of Elders, serves as the Wolf Clan Mother for Sunksqá Wamôsut, and is the language keeper for her nation. She received a Master of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Hofstra University in Hempstead NY. This grant will help fund the first physical print run of Awán Na?, as well as toward building a web page that readers can subscribe to help them pronounce the words in Awán Na?

Liverpool – Summer of Fun

2024-06-30T00:00:00Z

Deaf Active deliver a range of projects for Deaf and hearing people of all ages. With the cost-of-living crisis, it has been said by families that they are unable to have a summer holiday this year and many will struggle to afford day trips. The aim of this project is to provide children and young people in the area with a variety of fun and exciting activities that they would other wise not be able to experience. Deaf Active have already applied for funding for a two-night residential at the end of August for 40 young people and we have applied for funding for a family day trip to Alton Towers allowing 70 people from the local community to attend for free during August.Deaf Active are based in a fantastic community centre, The Joseph Lappin Centre, Old Swan where we have access to outdoor space and a Multi Usage Games Area. The children have taken over planning the summer and have decided that we are going to spend our days outdoors embracing the (hopefully) sun. They have gone wild with plans for water parties, UV parties and are now hoping to add fun filled foam parties to the mix. We have sourced a foam machine for £529.99 and believe it is a game changer for our events. The funding from yourselves would be spent on purchasing this and making our events even more AMAZING! We have party equipment that we have built up over the years including UV lights, Slip ‘n’ Slide, a Bouncy Castle, speakers and a huge inflatable unicorn sprinkler. A foam machine would be a fantastic addition to our equipment. As mentioned, we provide activities for a mixture of Deaf and hearing children and young people. Many of which struggle with socialising due to language barriers, confidence and isolation. Having these events will provide a fun and engaging environment where these barriers can be overcome. Improving mental and physical wellbeing for the children and young people. Purchasing the foam canon will allow us to host foam parties, water parties and much more.

Toronto – Sensory Room for Special Education Students

2024-06-30T00:00:00Z

Students with special needs, particularly those with sensory processing issues, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and anxiety disorders, often face challenges in traditional classroom settings. These challenges can result in heightened anxiety, meltdowns, and difficulty concentrating. A sensory and calming room can offer a safe, controlled space for these students to decompress and manage their sensory needs through sensory integration equipment like weighted blankets, swings, and tactile bins, along with calming tools such as soft lighting, noise-canceling headphones, and aromatherapy diffusers. Our school will establish a sensory and calming room within our special education program; the room will provide a therapeutic environment designed to help students with sensory processing disorders and other special needs to self-regulate and thereby improving their ability to participate in educational activities. This initiative fosters inclusivity, promotes mental health, and sets a precedent for other schools, contributing to a more supportive and progressive city.

Newmarket – Strong, Smart, and Bold Summer Camp

2024-06-26T00:00:00Z

Our summer day camp provides girls ages 6-13 opportunities to get active, learn new skills, and make memories that last a lifetime, by providing outdoor and physical activities, arts and crafts, mindfulness training, and more. The summer camp was developed; to actively strive to enhance confidence/self-esteem, while giving campers skills to reach their full potential. Girls have a chance to participate in fun, safe, and supervised activities, that they may not have had the opportunity to experience. The girls go hiking, swimming, horseback riding, wall and tree-top climbing, to sporting events, AGO, ROM, and Ontario Science Centre. The camp operates from July 8-August 16, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am-3:30 pm at Popular Bank Public School (Newmarket) and Devlins Drive Public School (Aurora). Camp Themes Week 1 Lights, Camera… ACTION! A cinema theme week. Think, Disney Day, Superhero Day, Talent Shows and more. Week 2 Girls Inc. Spirit Week. Show your spirit. From Wacky Wednesday to Throwback Thursday, get into the spirit and have fun. Week 3 STRONG, SMART, BOLD, S.T.E.M. Calling all inspiring scientists and engineers… Join us for fun as we build, construct, create, fizz, and explode various S.T.E.M projects. Week 4 Barbie World. Like Barbie says…YOU CAN BE ANYTHING! Explore the many careers of Barbie and even embrace your “weird” with a “Weird Barbie Wednesday” theme. Week 5 Make a Splash. Water balloon fights, Slip ‘N’ Slides and Water Slides. Let’s make a splash and memories. Week 6 Camp Olympia. Teamwork, empowerment, movement, and fun. Includes a Campers vs. Staff Dodgeball Game… that’s like a 70 vs. 7… GAME ON. Leadership in Training Camp L.I.T. Camp offers teens (ages 14-18) opportunities to build leadership skills and confidence in a safe, inclusive, and pro-girl environment. Build relationships & connect with like-minded peers while having fun. Gain high school volunteer hours & experience as a camp counsellor. Each session is two weeks long.

Rhode Island – CLUB:CLUB

2024-06-26T00:00:00Z

34 years ago, in July of 1990, legendary DJ Frankie Bones planted the seeds of new acronym that would come to define the Rave scene: PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect). Today in Providence, a project called CLUB:CLUB is keeping it going. CLUB:CLUB offers access to professional DJ and music production equipment at accessible and sliding-scale rates. They offer a mix of drop-in hours and structured classes, in addition to hosting events that bring students to stage for the first time. Their classes are safe, welcoming, and supportive; novices are welcome. Awesome Foundation Rhode Island loves how process is part of CLUB:CLUB's product; we believe their work increases local appreciation for electronic music, and, for the many communities who make it. This funding will go towards a general pool from which CLUB:CLUB will purchase equipment; much of their current gear is on loan.

Georgetown, MA – Cubscouts Georgetown Pack 50 Trailer Repair

2024-06-26T00:00:00Z

An early January snow storm brought heavy snow to Georgetown, as it turns out one of our only large snows. To our dismay this storm also caused a large pine tree to fall on top of our enclosed scout trailer that was parked on the Erie 4 Fire Hall property. The frame of the trailer is bent, making it un-towable at the moment. The cab was crushed in on one side and punctured in four places from the limbs of the tree so it is no longer weather tight and has been filling with water. We are uncertain how much the repairs will cost the pack but we are going to need some help. This trailer provides the Pack with the ability to transport food, gear and other supplies to events and camp outs. We would like to fix the trailer and make it road worthy and water tight once again.

Georgetown, MA – Georgetown Softball Field Project

2024-06-26T00:00:00Z

The softball field at The Penn Brook School is in need of repairs. Planning has begun to add clay and field conditioner (Turface) to help drainage issues, re-grade the field to level, replace home plate, and reset the existing base foundations.

Glasgow – Community Amateur Pantomime

2024-06-26T00:00:00Z

My husband and I have been writing, producing and directing community pantomimes for the last 5 years with a The Antonine Theatre Group charity in Bishopbriggs. Our pantomimes received excellent recognition from the community, councellors and even the Scottish Government as we provided the only fully inclusive theatrical experience in Scotland. I am a special needs teacher and use my knowledge of autism and other special needs to facilitate the best experience for all children and adults through signing, visuals, social stories, early visits and more. We have since moved on from the Bishopbriggs charity and live in Knightswood in Glasgow. We are desperate to start our own pantomime company focused on autism friendly performances, that is affordable to all. We believe that everyone should be able to experience live entertainment. We would love to have a community pantomime for the residents of Knightswood and nearby to attend. Knightswood, Garscadden, Drumchapel and Yoker are all within my area and are areas of high deprivation. An affordable community pantomime in their own area would be greatly welcomed by the residents.

Gloucester, MA – The Codfish Mural

2024-06-25T00:00:00Z

Gloucester's Awesome Heritage mural series gets even more awesome with its fifth installment: The Codfish Mural. This isn't your average fish! The cod, a symbol of Gloucester's long and storied fishing tradition, takes its rightful place on a prominent wall in the Fort neighborhood, the very center of the city's commercial fishing industry. This mural is a powerful tribute to the deep connection between Gloucester and the mighty cod. Josh Falk will be the artist. Huge thank you to Christine Ciaremetaro and family for making the wall available to us!!

Chicago, IL – Disability Dance & Ensemble Thinking Workshop

2024-06-25T00:00:00Z

Over the last year, we have been adapting “scores,” or prompts, for improvisation developed in Ensemble Thinking to disability dance settings. Ensemble Thinking (ET) is a practice of shaping group improvisation initiated by Dr. Nina Martin and other dancers in the 1990s. This project is not only about bringing Ensemble Thinking into disability dance communities. Working with disabled dancers, we hope to create a set of tools to transform improvisational dance settings, making them fundamentally inclusive of more bodyminds. Ensemble Thinking is used to develop performances, but it can also facilitate “group attunement” in a variety of non-dance settings, and with non-professional dancers. We hope that, in addition to experiencing the magic of improvising dance together, participants will be able to take these skills forward into all collaborative settings. We would like to host a three-hour workshop for disabled dancers in Chicago to improvise dance together using new methods of improvisation we are developing. This workshop would allow us to further our development of improvisation and facilitation techniques by working with an expanded group of dancers, and would also build community among disabled dancers in Chicago. We are applying to your fund to help us make this workshop accessible to a cross-impairment group of dancers, including those who dance in wheelchairs, as well as people who are blind, Deaf, autistic, and chronically ill. We, the organizers of this event, are also a part of this community. In this workshop, we will explore a new score with a group of dancers encountering Ensemble Thinking for the first time. In this community laboratory, we understand bodily difference as a generative creative resource and we practice learning from each other.

Washington, DC – Cultivate DC Youth Changemakers

2024-06-24T00:00:00Z

We want to cultivate more DC youth changemakers! We aim to do this through an intensive social justice leadership bootcamp and youth led community project. The Awesome Foundation grant would cover $100 stipends for 7 youth and $300 to support a community project they dream up. Young people have been at the heart of social justice movements throughout history. We know their leadership is more important than ever as we face the interconnected issues of poverty, violence, and inequality. It is time we invest in cultivating their leadership in movement leadership! The program will include these aspects: Intensive advocacy and community organizing training Opportunities to learn from local activists Analysis of community strengths and needs Reflection on identity and liberation Pathways and connections to creating change Budget of $300 for the youth to develop and carry out a community project.

Gloucester, MA – Fishermen's Ballads & Songs of the Sea at 150!

2024-06-20T00:00:00Z

In July 1874 the Procter Bros. of Gloucester published 'Fishermen's Ballads and Songs of the Sea', a collection of 120 pieces by many authors, both women and men, a few known widely, many known only locally or not at all, and some anonymous or pseudonymous. It's a literary, musical and folkloric time capsule, and 2024 is its 150th anniversary. This project honors the anniversary by opening that time capsule and making it live in the present with a talk/performance to be shared in as many ways as possible. In a very real way it keeps the spirit of Gloucester's 400+ alive this year and beyond. I'm forever inspired by this quote from Irish poet Brendan Kenneally: "All songs are living ghosts and long for a living voice." With this project I am fulfilling the longing of the ghosts of these songs/poems, the vast majority of which have gone unspoken and unsung, even unseen, for decades. There is no music for any of them, so I have composed music for 24 pieces and will do so for more. Any piece could be sung, but to my eye some read better as poems to be recited, which I will include. I've been doing research on the pieces, but there is much more to be done. The book contains no intro, index, bibliography, or notes, so I have created an author index and am working on a categories index and a digital table of contents. In my 5 images, in addition to the book's title page and preface, I've also shared the author index, along with a page of one song and an article showing its historical importance. Given there are 120 pieces, it's a selective process. The Preface states, "Very many of the ballads are original, having been written expressly for us by the fishermen." I'm identifying as many of those as I can, and will include some in the program. I've had two outings with the project already, at the NE Folk Festival and Windhover, with three more coming up at the CT Sea Music Festival, the SFL, and the Jonathan Bayliss Society, and another likely at CAM in September.

Kingston – CMWH Presents: Kingstons HERstory

2024-06-20T00:00:00Z

We are thrilled to share our exciting project with you Canadian Museum of Women's History Presents: Kingston's HERstory. This “free to the public” event will be held in Kingston, Ontario on October 5th, 2024, kicking off Canada's annual Women's History Month.

Yerevan – Inclusive Rubik's Cube Competition

2024-06-20T00:00:00Z

Welcome to the world of Rubik's Cube! Our Emili Aregak support center for children with disabilities in Gyumri, in collaboration with Mayis Jraghatspanyan, a representative of WCA Armenia, will organize and host Armenia's first inclusive, accessible Rubik's cube tournament, during which participants from all over Armenia will be able to: - Solve Rubik's cubes and other different types of puzzles - Get to know and make connections with people who share the same hobby - Join a large community of cubers (Rubik's cube players) - Record official results in the WCA international ranking We will organize the championship at the spacious and accessible Emili Aregak Center on July 20. Why exactly, July 20? That's the birthday of Hungarian professor Erno Rubik, creator of Rubik's Cube, and it is celebrated as "Rubik's Day" in the cuber community.

Rotterdam – Pillow fight

2024-06-19T00:00:00Z

I would like to organise a friendly neighbourhood pillow fight with handmade pillows that can be taken home afterwards. Planned on a sunny day at Serum park, with some refreshing drinks and snacks afterwards to rekindle after the fight ;)

Austin, TX – Shea Butter Babies:Celebrating Queer Black Artists

2024-06-18T00:00:00Z

Shea Butter Babies was founded with the purpose of elevating and highlighting Black burlesque and performance artists, and to create spaces that showcase the rich tapestry of Black creativity. Amid an economic equity crisis, we are committed to supporting artists of color with fair pay and providing an unrestricted platform to amplify their artistry. A $1000 grant from the Austin Awesome Foundation will helpfund a special Pride/Juneteenth event spotlighting Black Queer performers, and ensure these artists are compensated fairly.

Oahu, HI – Teaching kids and adults to Rollerskate!

2024-06-18T00:00:00Z

We are dedicated to growing the already awesome skate community on Oahu and neighbor islands. There had been a skate rink on Oahu since Queen Liliuokalani's time. So many people we've interacted with skates as kids 20/30 years ago and want to get back into it and get their families into it. It holds such nostalgia and happiness and good feelings for them. We live to help beginners and people returning to skating after meant years to feel safe and confident and have fun on their skates.

Poughkeepsie, NY – Beyond the curves

2024-06-17T00:00:00Z

The project is intended as a women celebration and a moment to remind that we should not consider what we have as granted, Women before us fought to achieve equality and we should always cherish and defend those rights. For this reason, Beyond the Curves is a celebration of courageous, outrageous, and trailblazing women. Gallery 40 is hosting a month-long show featuring nationally curated visual art and an evening of live dramatic performance pieces. Beyond the Curves celebrates women's fortitude, persistence, and strength in the face of adversity. It is about women who have been set aside by the patriarchy or men in their lives, women ahead of their time, women who worked without the proper recognition, women who have been judged or misunderstood, women whose voices may yet be unacknowledged. We think that in these times, more than ever, women are losing rights that we have been fighting for and acquired in the past. We want this project to showcase the woman's strength and remind us about the values of our rights. As part of the group exhibition, Gallery 40 will feature Lisa Winika's Misunderstood Women Project which seeks to cast light on some unexplored ideas about women that deeply influence the foundational thought process and emotional undercurrent of society. We are in the process to contact the Art Effect and see if they are interested to include some of their students artworks. As a centerpiece of the exhibition, there will be a live performance of intimate monologues and short scenes that illustrate the authentic and unfiltered stories of such women. The scripts are mainly from college students in our area and span across multiple ethnicities, social status and time. The performance pieces, directed by Deborah Coconis and Chris Burney, will be performed by local actors from our diverse communities. The Opening Reception will be on Saturday, July 6, 2024 5-7 pm with the live performance scheduled for Thursday July 25, 7pm

Pittsburgh, PA – Scent with Love and Open Streets

2024-06-17T00:00:00Z

Scent with Love exists to spread surprise joy through flowers. Using excess and/or post-event floral centerpieces, Scent with Love volunteers extend the life of these joyous materials by delivering them to regional nonprofits, service-based organizations and other communities that may be overlooked or marginalized. We will spread cheer at Open Streets by distributing bouquets and hosting a bouquet bar. Open Streets empowers individuals to get outside and takeover the streets. Scent with Love also empowers individuals to think outside the box of how materials can be used. The project directly benefits citizens in the Pittsburgh region by making a personal connection through the gift of flowers. Though we may be strangers, we are connected by recognizing our inherent humanity, dignity and need for respect. This type of treatment should not be reserved to our close friends and family, but rather extended to all of our neighbors, especially those that may feel overlooked. We hope that by showing kindness, we inspire others to pay it forward. Scent with Love is directly handing an expression of joy to folks who need it.

Cass Clay – Ribbon Skirt Workshop

2024-06-15T00:00:00Z

The goal of this awesome project is to encourage Native girls and women to be more aware of and connected to their traditional culture. During this awesome event, there will be two main thrusts: the teaching of women's ceremonies, and a hands-on Ribbon Skirt making activity. Until shockingly recently, Native culture was suppressed and in many cases even illegal on Turtle Island (North America). Our Indigenous people are recovering this culture, with its spirituality tied to its many traditions and rituals. Native people are proudly recapturing these traditions by retelling and living into them in daily and periodic routines. JT Shining Onesided is a respected Ojibwe leader who curates many of these traditions. We will bring her to the event to share teachings about Native ways and ceremonies. Among these traditions, she will lead us in a Moon Ceremony. The Moon Ceremony honors the phases of grandmother moon, Nookomis, and involves cleansing and smudging related to a woman's moon time. She will also share about the Berry Picking Ceremony, a tradition used with the coming of age into womanhood. In addition to the teachings, an Ojibwe Ribbon Skirt making workshop will be held, where women will be able to make their own Ribbon Skirt. This clothing is a sacred garment that ties a woman to the land, her Creator, her identity, and her place in Indigenous society as a woman. It is a symbol of resilience and perseverance, reflecting the survival and adaptation that Native people have endured and brought forward during a long season of colonization. The colors have specific spiritual significance, and reflect the identity of the woman wearing the skirt. During the event, the day will be steeped in smudging, singing, and prayer to Creator as a whole gathered group, with smaller group breakout sessions for Ribbon Skirt making and receiving teachings. A meal of traditional Native foods will be provided. We anticipate hosting up to twenty women during the day.

St. Paul, MN – Broken Robots “Double Dutch”

2024-06-13T00:00:00Z

We are pleased to announce our June 2024 AwesomeStPaul grantee “BrokenRobots Double Dutch, an ongoing project to get kids off their screens and encourage them to go outdoors and enjoy life! We chose Double Dutch because it is bringing joy to hundreds of St. Paul kids and adults this summer. In the words of Broken Robots Double Dutch founder Mercedes Yarbrough, "We are in a spiritual warfare with the evolution of technology which is effecting humanity at an alarming rate. Our brains are the most powerful thing in our bodies and we are using our minds less by being dependent on technology. As a result we are seeing a generation of weak minded individuals which is causing a rise in anxiety, depression, mental illness, etc. our youth are not using their imagination are spending hours staring at a screen instead out enjoying life. I’m on a mission to inspire this generation to be a broken robot! Someone that is a disruptor using their mind, being themselves, and not being controlled like a robot! The project will be sports theme based to get our youth active and engaged in activities such as double dutch to get them using their minds. Double dutch was a popular summer activity in the black community that young girls played all day outside! You have to use your mind to know when to jump in the ropes and jump. The project will have sport stations that educate with instructors and a competition to make it fun and memorable. The goal of this project is to get our youth active but also inspire them to be a broken robot!

Geelong – Beyond Boxing : Emotional Regulation For Teens

2024-06-12T00:00:00Z

Beyond Boxing is a unique program designed specifically for teenagers, aimed at reigniting their passion and fostering connections within their community. Created by a former 2-time world champion kickboxer and a dedicated former classroom teacher turned advocate for emotional and social regulation support interventions, Beyond Boxing offers a comprehensive approach to empower teens. Through engaging in-person sessions, Beyond Boxing provides a variety of skill-building activities tailored to meet the needs of teenagers. These activities are strategically crafted to help participants rediscover their sense of self, boost their confidence, and strengthen their connections with their peers. Our program will connect teens with relatable, local, community-focused leaders who are also small business owners in the area. Steve and Lena operate their business in North Geelong, and own their home in Corio. This connection will create a sense of belonging and care among the participants, knowing that these leaders live and work in Geelong and are invested in the best interests of teens. Boxing sessions will provide a safe outlet for the release of stored energy and emotions in the body. The visible impact of this cathartic release will include improved relaxation, self-assuredness, and openness to connecting with others. Our program goes beyond traditional boxing techniques; it emphasises social and emotional regulation support, helping teens develop essential life skills that extend far beyond the ring. By participating in Beyond Boxing, teenagers gain the tools and confidence they need to navigate challenges, present themselves confidently, and thrive in both their academic and social lives. When teens discover inspiration, their potential for growth becomes boundless.

Orlando, FL – Artistic Street Piano Pop-Up

2024-06-11T00:00:00Z

Create an interactive and artistic experience in public spaces by placing beautifully decorated street pianos in unexpected locations throughout a city or town. The purpose is to bring music, art, and surprise to people's daily lives. It encourages spontaneous creativity and connection within the community. Surprise Element: People stumbling upon these beautifully decorated pianos in unexpected places will experience a delightful surprise. Artistic Expression: Local artists' contributions and the visual appeal of the pianos will evoke awe and admiration. Music and Connection: The joy of spontaneous music and

Ipswich, MA – Feeding Kids Summer 2024

2024-06-11T00:00:00Z

We want to feed children for free this summer! Recently the USDA has communicated to school food service operations that they are allowed to serve free meals during the summer as a grab and go service in communities that are considered rural. Ipswich meets this criteria! The Triton Food Service Department (of Triton Regional School District) plans to set up free meal service for all children in Ipswich. We will be setting up at the Ipswich Utilities Department, where families can come and get a free breakfast and free lunch every day. On Fridays, we can give out 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches for the weekend. We also may be setting up in a second location, pending approval. This awesome project fights food insecurity and allows for children to eat healthy meals all summer long. We plan to advertise and market the program to reach as many families in and surrounding Ipswich.

Ipswich, MA – Quilts, Quilts, Quilts

2024-06-11T00:00:00Z

A dozen local "senior" women gather twice a month at the Ipswich Council on Aging to make quilts for various charities. We have given to the Kaplan House, Towers of Gifts for Infants in Need, the Linus Project, Ipswich Caring....

Cleveland, OH – [CodeHers CLE]

2024-06-10T00:00:00Z

Women make up 50.5% of the United States’ population, yet, according to the American Association for University Women, they occupy only 28% of jobs in the US technology industry. This gender gap starts young, as a study from Microsoft explained that although many girls originally become interested in STEM around age 11, the initial spark usually extinguishes by the time they reach 15, largely because of a lack of female role models in the field. Early access to computer science education delivered in all-girls spaces can change this dynamic. Unfortunately, few programs reach girls at this crucial stage and most fail to provide an environment that gives girls the confidence to pursue computer science. Indeed, Cleveland State University’s CSforCLE initiative reported that only one-third of schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District offer any computer science classes at all, and initiatives focused on girls are even fewer and farther between. It is clear that the lack of accessible and welcoming technology education for Cleveland-area middle school girls is an issue that must be addressed. My initiative, [CodeHers CLE], aims to do just that by building a community of girls and women interested in computer science. Through running workshops teaching the Python and HTML programming languages to Cleveland-area middle school girls, we have expanded access to collaborative, inclusive, and supportive computer science education for local girls. We have partnered with Breakthrough Charter Schools and the Cuyahoga County Public Library system to offer events at a variety of locations, reaching a total of 52 girls. At our events, girls learn foundational programming skills, build their own websites, work with female high school volunteers, and hear from female guest speakers. By bringing together students who share the experience of being women in STEM, we build strong communities of code(h)ers and encourage a passion for computer science in the Cleveland community.

Cleveland, OH – Natural Clay Plaster Workshops

2024-06-10T00:00:00Z

A lot of homes need to be repaired in Cleveland. This can be costly often leaving home owners no other option than to use cheaper building products. Cheaper building products are often very toxic, have poor quality, and are carbon intense. Clay plaster is a great alternative to harmful conventional wall finishes. The materials used to create clay plaster—clay, sand, straw—are abundant within our region, inexpensive, and absolutely non toxic. Often you can source the clay in your own yard! Through free workshops, I will teach folks how to source, create, and apply clay plasters in their homes. We will work in buildings in need of repair throughout Cuyahoga County—educating the community and repairing homes at the same time.

Cleveland, OH – Superhero Project Touring Exhibit

2024-06-10T00:00:00Z

The Superhero Project (SHP) utilizes art as a tool for healing and empowers youth impacted by serious illnesses, disabilities, community trauma, and complex mental health or medical needs. Our work is guided by their four core values - imagination, inclusion, representation, and joy - and families share how participation increases self-confidence and fosters resilience in kids, among other positive impacts for individuals and the community. Our joyful and meaningful touring exhibit of Power Posters, displayed in nearly two dozen venues so far, features superheroes created by BIPOC youth and designed by a global group of artists. It challenges stereotypes and changes perceptions of medically-marginalized kids and teens. In the exhibit’s framing essay, artist Amanda D. King explains how the collection brings representational justice to the community by visually transforming youth of color with illnesses and disabilities into the superheroes they are inside, elevating them from one of society’s most marginalized groups to celebrated protectors of the universe. Creative workshops and interactive elements extend the experience, allowing visitors to consider how they want to improve the world and to conceptualize their own superheroes. Teacher Carrie Polenske (Pine Intermediate School), who has hosted The Superhero Project for three years, writes, “The best part of our experience is when students create their very own superhero alter ego posters, accompanying written descriptions, and adventure stories. Every child comes to realize that we ALL have the power to make the world a better place!” Carrie also states that in her 26 years of teaching, she has never seen such a powerful social emotional learning experience that empowers students, creates feelings of connection with disabled youth, inspires them to celebrate their own inner strengths, and helps them gain a deeper appreciation for art.

Rockport, MA – Audio and Video equipment

2024-06-10T00:00:00Z

Our hall is used by our membership for monthly meetings, fundraising and community events. The hall is available to rent for private celebrations and meetings. We have a large hall with the capacity to accommodate 113 people, as well as a fully-equipped kitchen and ample parking. We are in the middle of a major capital project with the goal of re-siding the building. All available funds are being earmarked for this project. We have no A/V equipment currently. With the new A/V system presenters will have the ability to use multiple formats with a quality system. Renters, during a celebration of life will be able to connect their own phone or laptop to show pictures of their family members. We will be able to add background music during our Christmas fair or any of our fundraising meals with the hope of making it a more enjoyable experience for all. This system was recommended to us by an audio design expert from BestBuy and it will cover all of our audio and video needs.

Westminster, MD – Dental care for financially underserved

2024-06-10T00:00:00Z

Kids World of Smiles is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dental office that strives to provide a stable dental home to provide regular dental care to children and now adults in the community who otherwise would not have access to consistent quality care. We strive to help individuals obtain good dental health which leads to good physical health. Children who are suffering with rampant dental decay miss school, have poor nutrition and frequent urgent care or hospital visits. Our goal is to treat decay early before it leads to tooth loss, infection and illness. However, many services are not covered or have to wait for insurance time lines risking tooth loss and infection as parents can not pay for services not covered by Medicaid. Kids.We dont charge families any out-of-pocket fees and accept what their Medicaid insurance pays. The challenge for our office is that due to Medicaid fee schedules being at least 50% lower than private insurance fees we struggle to pay our expenses and bills including office supplies, staff, rent etc.. and can not afford to offer any other free dental services to patients in need of treatment beyond the Medicaid reimbursement schedule. Many local health care providers have dropped the Medicaid insurance program and families have less options in finding dental care. Grants , especially from Awesomefoundation, would go far in allowing us to provide dental care to our patients as well as keeping our office open.

Newburgh, NY – Wildhood Free Play Club

2024-06-09T00:00:00Z

Wildhood is dedicated to revolutionizing how children engage with the outdoors and their community through safe, stimulating environments for unstructured play. Our inaugural initiative, the Wildhood Play Club, aims to provide children with the opportunity to explore and connect with nature while fostering their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. The Play Club will operate monthly in Newburgh, NY, a community rich in cultural diversity but facing significant socio-economic challenges. By utilizing local parks and green spaces, we will create a safe, inclusive environment where children can engage in unstructured play. Our activities are designed to be child-led, allowing participants to use their imagination and creativity freely while developing important life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and resilience. How Play Club Works: The Wildhood Play Club is a free, monthly event that invites children aged 5-12 to participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Each session lasts for approximately three hours and includes a mix of guided and free play elements. Our staff and volunteers set up different play stations that might include: Nature Exploration Zones: Areas where children can interact with natural elements like rocks, plants, and water, fostering a connection with the environment. Creative Arts Corners: Spaces equipped with natural materials for arts and crafts, encouraging creativity and artistic expression. Physical Activity Stations: Simple equipment like balls, ropes, and hoops to promote physical exercise and teamwork through games and challenges. Quiet Zones: Designated areas for reading, storytelling, or quiet reflection, allowing children to relax and unwind. Our trained facilitators provide supervision and ensure safety while encouraging children to take the lead in their play activities. We emphasize respect for nature and each other, teaching children about environmental stewardship through hands-on activities and g

Santa Cruz, CA – Photography Workshops for Farmworker Youth

2024-06-09T00:00:00Z

In July, I aim to organize three separate photography workshops for youth residing in the farmworker camps of San Andreas, Buena Vista, and Jardines del Valle in Santa Cruz County. Having grown up in one of these camps myself, I know firsthand how crucial extracurriculars are, especially during the summer when life in these rural areas can feel particularly isolating for kids. The primary objective is to empower youth to capture the essence of their own homes through photography. Students will learn basic photography skills such as understanding composition, lighting, focus, and exposure, but the focus will be on encouraging them to find special parts of their community that they want to capture and convey to others. The photographs taken during these workshops will be eligible for inclusion into an exhibition scheduled for December 14th, 2024 at the Watsonville Public Library. This exhibition serves as an avenue for farmworker communities to reflect on our personal histories.

Adelaide – Play Every Day - A Performing Arts community

2024-06-07T00:00:00Z

My awesome project is inclusive drama classes in the regional town of Meadows in South Australia for kids ages 4 - 17. What started out as something that I just thought would be fun has become so much more important than that. Our project offers a safe haven for neurodiverse and LGBTQIA+ youth, fostering acceptance and creativity through drama classes, prioritizing life skills like confidence, public speaking, and empathy, creating an inclusive community where every child can thrive. The kids who attend our classes have found a community, they have found like minded people and are encouraged to be their true selves. The result is seeing young people shine. I have had the absolute pleasure of watching kids with severe social anxiety make friends and perform in front of 200 people. The year culminates in a performance for parents and friends, showcasing their growth. These kids love this project and it is such a delight for their friends and family to watch their kids be absolute superstars on stage. “This has honestly been the absolute best social inclusion support that Tyler has ever used and I'm sure other parents would totally agree. Thank you so much for providing this space!” - Jody Winton “Elli is neurodiverse and has found this group to be far more beneficial to her personality type as opposed to the multiple community sports she has tried. She did take an initial risk when joining Play Every Day, but has since made solid friendships with fellow members and looks forward to attending each Week.” - Bruce "These classes have been important for my child because it has helped him find a group of like minded people where he feels safe and confident.My son has been able to develop his emotional intelligence and his confidence in speaking up to his peers and to adults in his life. He is excited to attend every week and I have seen a significant improvement in his self image and his awareness and understanding of differences in others". - Courtney

Adelaide – Meraki music workshops for all

2024-06-07T00:00:00Z

Scientific research over the last decades has confirmed that music-making is fundamental to the cognitive, mental, emotional, physical and social health of individuals and communities. Music is known to increase the ‘happy’ hormones; to slow down the process of ageing; help people feel connected to each other and to a wider community; enhance a positive sense of well-being; engender a sense of self-worth and security; enhance a positive state of mind; exercise manual skills; develop vocal and expressive skills; reinforce cultural identity; promote diversity’, etc. We plan to hold weekly 90-minute music-making sessions for community members. We will study new song lyrics, learn to sing songs, learn associated dances, accompany singing with percussion and drumming, accompany singing with instrument playing and enjoy socialising time with refreshments at the end Meraki's repertoire will include Greek songs (byzantine, dimotika, nisiotika, smyrneika, rebetika, laika, entekhna); multicultural music (African, Spanish, Hindu, etc.); western classical (Mozart, etc.); and western popular (blues, jazz, pop, etc.) Our sessions will be held at Holdfast Bay Community Centre (with the funding covering hire for the rest of the year).

Newcastle – The ReNewy Living Podcast

2024-06-05T00:00:00Z

The ReNewy Living Podcast is an eco living show, based in the Newcastle region of NSW. Each epsiode features conversations with locals who share their strengths for living sustainably. We take a ""start where we live"", ""reduce and reuse"" approach in every story. Join me in this first series, as we delve into our community's diverse social and environmental practices. Let's feel empowered to deepen our understanding of sustainability and make a positive impact on both people and planet. Each podcast episode aims to be a 30 -40 minute edited chat. The ReNewy Living Podcast is for local, community minded people who are passionate about creating change in sustainability. Podcast guests will always have a connection to the Greater Newcastle Region, with a focus on broad topics such as Environmental Tips, Solutions & Practices, Community Initiatives & Engagement, Climate Change and Local Impact, Indigenous Perspectives and the opportunity for Community Challenges. Guests for the first series include organisations such as Upcycle Newcastle, The Groundswell Collective (Tiny Forests), The Share Shop, a backyard veggie grower, Honeybee House Skin Co and Slow Skin Co.

Ann Arbor, MI – Family Fun Day

2024-06-05T00:00:00Z

Citizens for Prison Reform (CPR) is holding its first ever Family Fun Day Picnic at the Howell Nature Center in August. We have dreamed of creating a fun, relaxing event and we are finally making it happen! Our organization supports and assists families who have incarcerated loved ones in Michigan. In general, our events are focused on legislative advocacy, storytelling to bring awareness, and rallying for change in Lansing. It is hard, emotional and taxing work. We have created this Family Fun Day to simply bring families and children together who have someone incarcerated, to celebrate their strength and resiliency through such difficult times. This will be a space where families can get to know each other better, share interests and enjoy healing in nature as they enjoy music, food and entertainment. CPR is partnering with a few organizations such as Miss Mitten (Victoria Decker), the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) at U of M to assist with a collaborative art project that will be displayed for awareness. A juggler who has been involved in Shakespeare Behind Bars will provide entertainment and we hope to add further activities prior to the August 17th event. We would like to provide the children with back to school supplies and some special giveaways for families, along with T-shirts from Citizens for Prison Reform. CPR is thrilled to bring families together who share common experiences to bond, heal and grow together on their challenging journey. Our goal is to make this an annual event that grows each year, reaching more families and children to provide them hope and support.

Sydney – KinHub

2024-06-05T00:00:00Z

KinHub provides meetup opportunities for children, families and young people facing barriers to attending mainstream school ("school can't"). Our trauma informed approach addresses obstacles to participation and provides opportunities to connect. Our inclusive/accessible weekly meet ups enable marginalised young people (many of whom are neurodivergent) the chance to connect and collaborate fostering personal growth, learning and improved wellbeing. Participants come together to explore areas of interest to them, guided by dedicated Mentors. Our offerings will evolve based on participants' passions and learning styles with the aim of reducing social exclusion and building connected communities. Our goals are twofold: 1. Address obstacles to participation and social exclusion by building connected communities amongst the vulnerable population of children who don't/can't attend mainstream education. 2. Provide programs to support the health and wellbeing of young people (and their families) who don't/can't attend mainstream education. KinHub's impact can be measured by the following outcomes: Community engagement: Building a vibrant community through physical and virtual spaces, where young people connect with mentors for fun, collaborative, interest based learning experiences. Social Impact: Increasing social cohesion and breaking down barriers to social isolation for young people outside of the school system. Health and wellbeing: Our lively, trauma-informed space and caring mentors offer a safe haven for emotional expression supporting personal growth and self-esteem. Innovation and creativity: The very nature of our low-demand, flexible format encourages creativity, experimentation, and the exploration of new ideas. Inclusion & belonging: Inclusion and belonging are at the heart of everything we do. We create safe, welcoming spaces where young people’s thoughts and opinions are deeply valued and respected and where everyone can be themselves. KinHub makes Sydney more #awesome by transforming the lives of young people facing barriers to mainstream education. It brings families together, fosters connections and helps alleviate loneliness. The sense of belonging created by KinHub fosters improved mental health and young people by this marginalised group.

San Francisco, CA – The Little Letterpress Museum

2024-06-04T00:00:00Z

I would like to build a miniature museum using 3d printing and woodworking to display vintage letterpress machines and their inner workings. I will bring the mini museum to events around California and have interactive demos of letterpress machines.

Grande Belo Horizonte – Oficina Afeto verde - Quintal Escola

2024-06-04T00:00:00Z

A Oficina Afeto verde - Quintal Escola, trata-se da realização de uma oficina com dois duração de dois meses, para até 20 pessoas, onde os participantes aprenderão uma atividade produtiva de qualidade (artesanato com palha de bananeira), integrada com meio ambiente e a partir do que tem no próprio quintal. Participarão ainda em rodas de conversa para promoção da autoestima onde terão orientação jurídica e psicológica. Temos como público alvo mães solo, comunidade LGBT, e autodeclarados pretos ou pardos. A visão do Quintal Escola é promover a inserção produtiva e fortalecer a resiliência das comunidades mais vulneráveis, por meio da Educação Tecnológica (saber-fazer) e Consciência Ambiental. Como usarei o dinheiro: Oficina Afeto verde ⅓ do valor serão usados para adquirir ferramentas para trabalhar a palha da bananeira, material de limpeza e auxílio transporte e lanche (participantes). ⅓ para pagar o artesão/oficineiro (2 meses de aula) ⅓ para 2 encontros de orientação jurídica, 2 encontros de orientação psicológica com profissional parceiro (roda de conversa em grupo). Um pouco sobre mim: Sou Daniele, mineira, idealista. Como profissional de Design, sou movida pela inovação e pela busca de soluções criativas para os desafios hoje. Com uma abordagem sistêmica, busco compreender o impacto da bio economia na sociedade e na cultura. E refletir como podemos transformar juntos os desafios em oportunidades para uma cultura mais inovadora e sustentável economicamente. Meu compromisso é contribuir para a construção de um futuro mais justo e responsável, através do meu trabalho como design Qual é a cidade e bairro ou regional onde o projeto acontece? (Se essa pergunta não fizer sentido para o projeto, escreva "irrelevante") Cidade Betim, bairro Ingá (sede do Quintal Escola), regional Norte. Quanto você precisa para o projeto? (o máximo é R$ 3 mil. Projetos que precisem de menos tem mais chance de serem aprovados)) R$ 3 mil.

New York City, NY – Juneteenth Celebration at Historic Richmond Town

2024-05-31T00:00:00Z

Black history and storytelling come together at Historic Richmond Town’s 2024 Juneteenth Celebration on **Sunday, June 16, 2024**. The event will feature a reenactment of the reading of General Orders No. 3 in Galveston, Texas on June 19th, 1865; the event that inspired the celebrations of emancipation that are now part of the fabric of a national holiday and commemorations. The reenactment will be performed by the Staten Island **Juneteenth Freedom Players**, a community group of actors, dancers, and creators who have toured the production across the borough since 2021. Additional interpretive dance and biographical performances throughout the day capture the jubilation of emancipation of enslaved people, and the story of Jim Crow, segregation and Civil Rights. Thanks to funding from Awesome NYC, this year's Juneteenth Celebration promises to be especially memorable, particularly in light of significant budget cuts to the NYC cultural sector that have deeply affected the organization. The funding provided by Awesome NYC helps to remunerate the many actors, dancers, choreographers, and technical staff who make this incredible celebration possible. * Tickets are $15 and are now available [on their website](https://www.historicrichmondtown.org/events/juneteenth-celebration) * Historic Richmond Town is also open for general admission Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-4pm, and offers FREE admission every Thursday 2-4pm * General admission includes access to Open Village and the Historical Museum. * Learn more and browse the full calendar of events [here](https://www.historicrichmondtown.org/events)

San Antonio, TX – Chips and Walk - Empowering Women Through Golf

2024-05-31T00:00:00Z

Chips and Walk harnessed the power of golf to create a vibrant community of empowered women in San Antonio, Texas. Our mission is to break down barriers and provide a welcoming space for women of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels to connect, challenge themselves, and experience the transformative benefits of golf. At the core of what we do is a deep commitment to promoting physical and mental well-being. Through social golf events, we encourage women to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new challenges, network, connect, and cultivate a lifelong love for getting on the green. One of our primary goals are to foster belonging and camaraderie among our members. Women feel intimidated or and often hesitant to venture into golf, so we created a safe and inclusive environment where women can learn, practice, and play together, free from judgment or intimidation. Our beginner-friendly events provide a gentle entry point for those new to golf, offering support, loaner equipment, and a safe community of like-minded individuals. We also offer friendly competitions to give women the confidence they need to participate in work, charity, and social golf tournaments. Chips and Walk recognizes the profound mental and emotional benefits of golf. Golf demands focus, patience, and resilience – qualities that translate seamlessly into other areas of life. Moreover, social golf extends beyond the golf course. We provide other ways for women to connect and communicate outside our events. We started one year ago (March 2023) with 3 golfers and have now grown to over 300 women golfers desiring to try something new, venture outdoors, and challenge themselves through golf. With your support, we can continue to break down barriers, inspire personal growth, and create a lasting legacy of empowered women who embrace the challenges and joys of golf. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected, and healthier community in San Antonio, TX (and beyond) – one swing at a time.

Disability – Nkhotakota Disability Inclusion Festival

2024-05-31T00:00:00Z

The Nkhotakota Disability Inclusion Festival is a project in the Nkhotakota District of Malawi that aims to celebrate the talents and achievements of children and adults with disabilities, promote understanding, and foster an inclusive community spirit. The project will organize engaging events to bring together individuals with disabilities, their families, and the broader community to showcase talents, raise awareness, and encourage positive interactions. The project goals include providing a platform for children with disabilities to showcase their talents, raising awareness about their potential and capabilities, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion, and encouraging positive interactions between individuals with and without disabilities. The project activities involve talent identification and audition processes, event planning and logistics, talent workshops and rehearsals, community outreach and promotion, organizing festival events that showcase talents, and recognizing and celebrating participants' achievements. **What our grantee is saying:** “Receiving Support from Awesome Foundation for the Nkhotakota Disability Inclusion Festival is a game changer. Our project is all about promoting inclusion, breaking down barriers and celebrating diversity in our community. With Awesome Foundation`s support, we can take our efforts to the next level, binging even more opportunities for disabled individuals to shine and educating our community on the importance of valuing people of all disabilities.”

Ottawa – Use Improv to Disrupt!

2024-05-31T00:00:00Z

May’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Hingman Leung, Adrienne Row - Smith, and Velvet Wells to support a series of experimental workshops exploring the use of improvisational theatre techniques to respond to racism. “No matter how much training I take on anti-racism,” explains Hingman, “I always freeze up when someone says something to me that feels like a racial microaggression. After asking many friends for advice, I realized that this is a problem that a lot of people face! We know that we should say something – but how?” “In comes improv! Applied improvisation is globally recognized,” says Hingman, “and used in corporations and therapeutic settings as an excellent way to gain communication skills in a supportive and positive environment. It helps people learn how to respond in the moment, even if not feeling quick-witted.” “Our ‘Use Improv to Disrupt’ project,” she continues, “will be a series of workshops and resources that provide a new way for people who face microaggressions on a regular basis to practice responding through fun exercises and scenarios. We want to say ‘yes and’ to ourselves by disrupting difficult moments!” Hingman, Adrienne, and Velvet plan to offer two versions of the workshop – one for Indigenous Peoples, Black Peoples, and Peoples of Colour (IBPOC) members, and another including their allies. In the longer term, they hope to expand the series to include other forms of oppression. To learn more, follow [@thegrove613] (https://www.instagram.com/thegrove613) on Instagram. Hingman is a storyteller working in diversity and inclusion, Adrienne is a photographer and videographer, and Velvet is a theatre artist and facilitator. Hingman and Adrienne are also co-owners of [The Grove Studio] (https://www.instagram.com/thegrove613), a creative space in Hintonburg.

Toronto – Art On Barton

2024-05-31T00:00:00Z

A group of muralists will transform the interior (and possibly exterior) of a small, recently vacated house on Barton St in Toronto that's awaiting demolition and redevelopment. Each room will become an immersive mural installation created by a different artist or team of artists. The artists will spend June and July painting, and in August they will open up the house for the public to enjoy! The developers love the idea and it has strong support from the nearby community, with the Awesome Foundation supporting the costs of materials. There is a core group of five artists/planners who are organizing the project: Stephanie Avery, Jieun Kim, Jenneen Beattie, Tara Dorey, and Andre Kan. With their network of muralists, they'll fill the house with amazing art from some of the city's most established muralists as well as creating opportunities for emerging muralists to add to their portfolios (a challenge when working with such a large-scale medium). Follow along: @artonbarton Featured on:

Gloucester, MA – Eco Arts Programming

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

This summer Backyard Growers are launching “Backyard Growcery” in Gloucester. Every Wednesday, beginning June 19th, from 2:30-6:30pm, local artisans and farmers will sell their food + wares at Burnham’s Field. In addition to traditional market vendors, we would like to offer “Backyard Growcery Eco Art Programming”: 8 weeks of placemaking that connects our market vendors, our farmers, and our Gloucester community together. Over the course of our 16 week “Growcery” season at Burnham’s Field, we will design and facilitate arts centered programming that culminates in a community-created public art installation built from bio materials. This programming will be designed + led by Gloucester artist, Maia Mattson. Maia Mattson is a multi-disciplinary artist who focuses on the use of botanical material in her practice. Mattson will offer 8 weeks of eco arts programming exploring bio-materials made from local waste. Mattson will be partnering with Backyard Growcery vendors and local Cape Ann businesses, collecting their organic by-products and waste to use in a variety of all ages, art activations at Burnham’s Field. For example, we plan to partner with our local pasta shop, Pastaio- using the shop's organic waste to make paper and paper mache lanterns. We will also use the decaying flowers from our local farms to create colors for natural dyes. From a place of curiosity and play, participants will experiment with these materials asking: what can we make from this? How could we use this? From these essential questions, come exciting opportunities to practice methods of nature-based art making while learning about our local ecology, food systems, and waste streams.

Gloucester, MA – Private Schooner Sail for LGBTQ+ Youth and Friends

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

The Cape Ann Pride Coalition has an offer from Gloucester's Schooner Adventure to host a private, safe-space sail for LGBTQ+ youth from around Cape Ann, ages 13-18, with adult chaperones and Adventure crew. LGBTQ+ youth are under increasing attack nationwide, and also being used as pawns in political debates they're not even able to vote in. They need supportive, safe, fun spaces, of their own--and this opportunity seems perfectly suited to combine Cape Ann's unique sailing culture and history and our great sense of community and valuing all young people. The cost for the private sale, which will take place in late June, sometime during Fiesta Weekend, is $2500-$3000, and up to 45-50 spaces could be made available to teens and their friends. With a $1000 grant from Awesome Gloucester (and, we hope a matching one from Awesome Rockport), we're confident we could raise the remaining amount and give these youth an experience they''ll never forget..

Gloucester, MA – Boxing for Parkinson's

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

Boxing for Parkinson's is a boxing program developed specifically for participants who struggle with their Parkinson's. It's a fun program that helps build and improve balance, strength, and a sense of community and support through a combination of boxing and strength training.

Newmarket – HUUG (Help Us Understand Grief) Camp

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

Our project focuses on the delivery of our HUUG (Help Us Understand Grief) summer camp offered through Hope House Community Hospice. Our HUUG camp offers specialized support to children, ages 7 to 12, primarily in Newmarket/Aurora, who have lost a loved one or have a loved one battling a terminal illness. Our camp provides an opportunity for children to interact in a positive environment and participate in activities designed to support their grief journeys. In Hope House’s HUUG summer camp, children have the opportunity to learn about, express, and understand their current grief. They learn a variety of skills that will help them with remembering a loved one or adapting to a change in a relationship because of a recent loss. The main benefits of the grief camp include learning coping skills that help children to understand and express their emotions, and building connections with others so participants are able to seek support when needed, while feeling that they are not alone in their experiences. HUUG Camp also includes fun traditional camp activities such as art workshops, music, games and baking, along with a number of field trips to offsite locations, such as Legoland Discovery Centre, Tree Top Trekking and Museum visits. The difference from traditional camps is that our HUUG camp also helps children to work through their emotions and share them with peers who also lost, or are in the process of losing, a parent, sibling or loved one. HUUG Summer Camp is offered at no cost to participants. For many Newmarket residents Hope House provides access, close to home, to specialized and unique hospice programs and supports, such as our HUUG summer camp. You can see how your funding will help support some of our community’s most vulnerable children and we want to thank you for that.

Rhode Island – HOMESPUN: BLACK SPINNERS IN RI

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

Awesome Foundation Rhode Island is supporting Tracy Jonsson-Laboy's upcoming fall project in which a a group of high school-aged youth will learn how wool cloth is made, and the history of husbandry, spinning, and crafts within the American BIPOC community. Tracy is giving the students opportunities to try shearing a sheep, to wash, spin and weave wool, and to learn how to knit. The students will be from the Providence Met school, and the project is a continuation of Tracy's mission create community around—and foster appreciation for—the historical and artistic BIPOC and Black Spinners in RI. Funds will assist with Tracy's own time as a working artist, materials for the program, and honorariums for guest practitioners.

Fleurieu – Seaford Secondary College Japan Odyssey

2024-05-30T00:00:00Z

This year we will be taking 15 Seaford Secondary College students to Japan! The cohort consists of 4 male students and 11 female students. We have a diverse range of year levels attending from years 9-12. We also have one indigenous female student attending along with one male guardianship student. Many of these students haven’t ventured out of the Fleurieu let alone travelled overseas. Students will get the opportunity to live with an authentic Japanese family for 13 days whilst attending school daily at Morioka Chou High School which is our sister school. They will be fortunate enough to have a few days in Kyoto, Tokyo and they will also be spending a day in Disneyland. This experience provides such a unique cultural experience for our students, as they learn the Japanese way of life, immersing themselves into their culture. Morioka Chuo High School is our sister school over in Japan. Each year approx. 40 students stay within the Fleurieu area with home stay families. Home stay families take our international guests as well as our teachers into our local area, promoting our tourism industry within the Fleurieu Peninsula. Each year we ensure they visit Victor Harbor, undertake strawberry picking at Mount Compass, attend the Willunga Markets to purchase and sample local products such as the local jams and also visiting the local eateries and cafes, promoting our tourism industry to our international friends. On the weekends the school takes the international teachers to our local wine region, this is always a hit for our guests, and they often purchase our local wines and enjoy the days meeting and greeting locals within our community. Families take the students to the souvenir shops to purchase KI products and also invite them to purchase Indigenous souvenirs to take home a keepsake of our Indigenous culture. As a school we take the students on various excursions including the wildlife experience at Urimbirra, Victor Harbor and also Port Noarlunga Aquatics.