Goodwill Asks Public to Vote for its Youth Project in Grant Competition
March 22, 2012, News ArticleGoodwill of the Southern Alleghenies is asking the public to vote for its youth project, entitled New Cuts from Old Cloth, which has been named a grant award finalist by the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in the “MakeShop Maker Micro Grant Wearables Competition.” A public voting process will decide which seven nonprofit organizations will receive grants to carry‐out their proposed projects. Voting runs March 23–30 at www.makeshop.pghvoicesofyouth.org/view‐entries.
If Goodwill’s project is one of the winners ($2,000 Grant Finalists category), its Goodwill GoodGuides® Youth Mentoring Program’s mentees (disadvantaged youth ages 10–17) and their adult mentors will recycle donated, but not directly suitable for resale, clothes and materials by deconstructing them to design and create new wearable fashions. Mentees will learn basic principles of design and skills needed for the deconstruction and re creation process.
With the assistance and instruction of a qualified and experienced fabric artist/costume designer affiliated with the Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center in Cambria City, approximately 15 mentees, with GoodGuides staff and mentors, will participate in a meaningful, 10‐week recycling and reuse project.
“In addition to being an exciting vehicle for unleashing the youths’ creativity and teaching them technical skills, the project will enhance their self‐esteem, self‐confidence, and presentation and communication skills, especially through preparing for and participating in the Mini Maker Faire in September,” stated Phyllis J. Bandstra, Goodwill’s President & CEO.
The seven grant awardees will be selected solely by public voting, March 23–30, on the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s website where voters can review all entries. Grant awardees will be announced on April 2. They will then participate in public events that celebrate the work of the youth, including the Wearable Fashion Show during the Pittsburgh Mini‐Maker Faire on September 22. Through a significant online presence and public events, the museum will share the inventive work of each participating youth.
Goodwill is asking the public to cast its votes to ensure that the New Cuts from Old Cloth project will receive one of the mini grants. Voting takes place at www.makeshop.pghvoicesofyouth.org/view‐entries.
For more information on the project or questions on voting, please contact Ann Torledsky, Vice President of Workforce Development at (814) 536‐3536, ext. 230, (814) 533‐2493, ext. 286 or atorled@goodwilljohnstown.org.