Making Awesome Happen, $1,000 At A Time 
How do we ensure Newmarket continues to be the best place to live and work in Canada? It starts with Awesome ideas. Enter the Awesome Foundation Newmarket, a group that provides monthly hassle-free micro grants to help bring those ideas to life.
Rather than a charity, the Awesome Foundation is like a giving circle. Ten trustees give $100 of their own money each month to help an individual or group implement a great idea that helps people locally. At the Awesome Foundation Newmarket, we focus on ideas that benefit youth in Newmarket.
We accept idea submissions from people of any age and with a variety of ideas. No idea is too small, and those that promote fun are as important as those with more serious focus. APPLY NOW
See our Latest Awesome Foundation Newmarket Grant Recipients!
It’s summer camp season! Our latest grant recipient—Girls Inc. York Region—helps girls get the most out of their camp experiences. Created with the same goals as its regular programs, Girls Inc. camp strives to enhance confidence and self-esteem while giving campers the skills and tools they need to reach their full potential. Did we mention it's also a blast?! Campers get to enjoy plenty of activities like arts and crafts, nature-based programs and day trips to outings like the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Ontario Science Centre.
Seen here: Awesome Trustee Jackie Playter, with Jessica Gomez of Girls Inc. and Trustees Diane Farmer and Juliane Goyette.
Congratulations to the Peace Club—our 100th Awesome grant recipient!
Recently launched at Dr. J.M. Denison Secondary School, the club was created to engage and support students, says Positive Pathways Coach, Rita Goverde. “[My] position was created to support students who have become disengaged with their school experience—academically, but more importantly, socially and emotionally as well,” she says, adding the pandemic has magnified many issues for youth. Intentional practices such as daily mindfulness are being introduced for both students and staff, and Peace Club will play a role in this through positive and supportive messaging. “We also wish to grow the Peace Club to encompass supporting our local community with food insecurity,” says Rita. “Our amazing hospitality class is willing to cook for a local school that provides daily meals to students in need. We are hoping the Peace Club will grow in performing acts of kindness and addressing social injustices because we know that in order to heal our own hearts, we must do for others.”
Pictured here: Awesome Trustees Wasim Jarrah, Juliane Goyette and Jackie Playter with Rita Goverde and Trustees Diane Farmer, Darryl Gray and Chris Emanuel.
Congratulations to Youth Assisting Youth—one of our latest grant recipients! Youth Assisting Youth (YAY) pairs volunteer young adult mentors aged 16-29 with at-risk and newcomer youth aged 6-15. The microgrant awarded by the Awesome Foundation Newmarket will enable our team at Youth Assisting Youth to elevate our peer mentoring outreach efforts in the Newmarket area, says Andrew Hunter, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator. “Youth Assisting Youth's no-cost mentorship opportunities are transformative experiences for at-risk kids and their families. As well, volunteer mentors learn leadership skills, collect community service hours, work alongside experienced social workers and, ultimately, support young people reach their full potential!”
Pictured here: Andrew Hunter (middle) with Awesomes trustees Diane Farmer and Chris Emanuel
