Patricia Gangwer, Richmond’s Little Free Libraries, Richmond, CA

by | Apr 6, 2017 | What Does $1000 Do?

The Pollination Project grant has helped our community come together around a social equity issue – which is access to literature, good books and information, and the promotion of literacy in the city. We love the fact that Richmond’s Little Free Libraries are like small oases that have sprung up in many locations in the “book desert” areas of the city.

Currently, there are no book stores in Richmond, CA, and library hours have been severely limited by budget cuts. We have created a community of readers of all ages, races, religions, genders and socioeconomic levels, who are dedicated to seeing Richmond’s Little Free Libraries succeed in providing everyone access to books. I, personally, have met many people who belong to organizations that are now working in partnership with our project. It is wonderful that we can now mutually support each other in our combined efforts to increase and develop a literate society.

I am telling all my friends and colleagues about the amazing Pollination Project and the wonderful work you are doing.The Richmond’s Little Free Library project is a source of joy (and sometimes a little heartache) for me and the volunteers who work with me. Thank you so much for helping us make it happen.

As a funding partner, you have provided guidance, inspiration and encouragement to those of us who took part in your many extra offerings such as webinars, salons and on-line communication. I am not on any social media, but I was still able to access so much information with your presence on Youtube, and through emails. I think the Pollination Project has spoiled me as you are so much more than just a “funding partner,” but a generous, caring and mindful resource for creating positive change in our world.

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In the heart of Nkwen Bamenda III Sub Division, Northwest region of Cameroon, the pilot project "Youth and Visual Arts Activism for Social Change" unfolded at Teken Quarter Youth Community Hall. This initiative, running from January to April 2023, targeted fifteen disadvantaged youths—including school dropouts, drug addicts, and other vulnerable groups. The project, supported by a seed grant, was launched by the Collective Arts Development Association (CADA), which provided six art facilitators. These experts delivered extensive training in various artistic skills, from sketching and drawing on canvas boards to graphic design and T-shirt printing.

Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of colors, composition, and proportions, along with practical applications in screen printing on diverse materials like jeans, nylon, and polyester. The primary goal of the project was to leverage art and social entrepreneurship as viable alternatives to drug use, abuse, crime, and poverty in the local community. Furthermore, the project included an outreach program involving sixth-grade pupils from the Government Primary School in Teken Quarter.

The success of this pilot paved the way for a flagship initiative titled "Empowering Marginalized Youths through Life Skill Education Art and Entrepreneurship Skill Development." This ongoing program offers six-month intensive training sessions to thirty disadvantaged youths, teaching them not only visual and graphic arts but also audio-visual skills and crafts essential for economic independence and social inclusion. Moreover, the program includes mental health education, counseling, rehabilitation strategies, and connects participants with mental health professionals as needed, continuing to transform lives thanks to the foundational support of The Pollination Project grant.

#art #socialchange #activism #youthempowerment #mentalhealtheducation #cameroon #heartivism #grants #thepollinationproject
WINNERS!!
Our grantees Manjushree Abhinav and Aanchal Raturi won the Swarnali Roy Vegan Advocacy Awards 2024 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 

Manjushree received a grant for her project "My planet and my plate", inspiring students to become climate activists themselves, to plant the seed of change into the hearts and minds of students, hoping that these seeds will sprout into far-reaching effects. 

Aanchal founded Project Re-Learn, conducting workshops in Uttaranchal colleges to sensitize future agriculturists about ethical practices. 

Join us in congratulating these two incredible heartivists! 🧡 

@hsi_india 
@hsiglobal 
@manjushreeabhinav 
@earthling_anna_raturi 

#animalrights #animalwelfare #vegan #plantbased #veganlifestyle #nocruelty #crueltyfree #heartivism #grants #animaladvocacy #india
🌟 Volunteer Week 🌟  Celebrating our family of Grant Advisors!

Today we celebrate our grant advisors dedicated to #animalprotection .

🔸 April King (Montenegro/United States) 
🔸 Elphas Ongongo (Kenya) 
🔸 Mohini Sharma (India) 
🔸 Evans Okumu (Kenya) 
🔸 Fernanda García Naranjo Ortega (Mexico)
🔸 Leandro Franz (Brazil) 
🔸 Jeremy Gregory (United States)
🔸 Kate Luke (Australia)
🔸 Andrew Alexander (United States) 

@granjitatyh 
@kotorkitties 
@littleoaksanctuary 

#volunteerweek 
#animalrights  #animalwelfare  #heartivism  #grants  #animaladvocacy #advisors