Two of these ideas to change Dayton could win $1,500

Big changes are in store for UpDayton 2019

Many of UpDayton’s projects shook up things in Dayton, and now UpDayton is shaking up how its projects are selected.

The nonprofit organization, with goals that include attracting and retaining people under 40 in the Dayton area, has moved its annual project pitch event from the spring to the fall.

The 11th annual UpDayton Summit is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at The Brightside Music and Event Venue, 905 E. Third St. in downtown Dayton.

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Regular registration is $30 at https://updayton.org/summit-tickets and at the door.

NEW TIME OF YEAR

Lauren White, UpDayton's executive director since September of 2018, said the summit was moved from spring to fall to make time for the project incubator process that saw eight projects selected to present ideas, out of 19 applications.

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Leaders selected for the summit have been given assistance creating plans and crafting stories to maximize volunteers and other resources.

“We’ve been helping them through workshops,” White said.

FEWER WINNERS TO ALLOW FOR MORE CONCENTRATED HELP

Audience  members will vote to select two projects. Each winner will receive $1,500 in seed money and the support of UpDayton resources for one year.

Three winning projects had been selected in the past.

White told this news organization that the change was made to avoid stretching resources too thin.

“We just didn’t have the resources to give these people the level of service they deserve,” White said. “We could set them up for more success.”

NEW PROCESS FOR GETTING VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED 

Audience members will be able to indicate how they can help the project be successful through a new "crowdsourcing" process.

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Attendees will be able to check on pieces of papers where they can add value to particular projects. Someone from that project will contact them.

“Attending the summit is one of the most impactful ways for Daytonians to get involved in their city,” White said in a press release. “I am excited about the new program and crowdsourced connections process because these projects are committed to continuing regardless of winning and attendees will now have a clear understanding of how to get involved in each project.”

2019 UPDATE SUMMIT PROJECT IDEAS (Descriptions provided by UpDayton):

Femme Aid Collaborative | Ryann Mescher and  Zoe Waller

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Femme Aid Collaborative provides monthly menstrual hygiene products to those in need in our community. Period poverty isn’t just Femme Aid Collaborative’s problem to solve, it’s our communities. The Ambassador Program enables everyone to get involved in the mission to end period poverty in our community. Our goal is to recruit and train 10 Ambassadors to extend our reach and continue to remain 100% charitable.

Dayton Fibershed | Namita Patel 

Wear clothing ‘Grown + Made in Dayton’. Dayton Fibershed brings together farmers and artisans to make textiles and clothing using local fiber, local dyes, and local labor. This project expands Dayton’s fiber farming (flax, wool, alpaca etc) and natural dye sources (flowers, edible plants, foraged ‘weeds’). This project makes these materials available to local spinners, knitters, weavers and designers to create garments. This project will form a clothing design co-operative and build a fiber mill in Dayton.

Gem City SoberBar | Kristen Domke

Social and even business activities often revolve around alcohol. Gem City SoberBar is a welcoming and safe environment for those in recovery and an alternative option for the Dayton community to come together. Enjoy a series of pop-up sober bar events including mocktails and music with the long-term goal of a permanent location and a variety of programmed activities.

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The Climate Science Roadshow | Karen Jeffers-Tracy

The Climate Science Roadshow presenting hands-on, feet-on, participatory community events, where non-scientists, creative and kinesthetic learners gain a fuller understanding of the key concepts of climate science. With this knowledge they'll be able to identify and support positive solutions while playing a vital role in accomplishing what no other generation has.

Baldwin Café | Leroy Bean

Baldwin Cafe serves the community in a holistic way as a third space between work, school and home. The black-owned bookstore is a common meeting place with new and used books, African American literature, and a cafe with tea, vegan and vegetarian options.

Helping Young People Escape Drugs — H.y.p.e.d. | Logan Rowland

Hyped uses skateboarding as a community building and educational tool to foster dialogue about the problem of opioids in our communities. We teach young people to skate as a method of drug prevention and help existing skaters share their stories. We hope to connect young people across school districts in the Miami Valley with peers and mentors through after-school and weekend skate programs to build a healthier future for our youth.

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Participatory Defense | Amanda Davis and Carla Maragaño

Participatory Defense is a community organizing model for people facing charges, their families, and their communities to impact the outcome of cases and transform the landscape of power in the court system. Trained volunteers and facilitators give participants a deeper understanding of the justice process, what is expected from them at each stage, and assist them in preparing for meetings with their attorney, court dates, and other steps of the process.

GroupChatTV | Courtney Jarrett and Ishmael McKinney

A safe place to exchange perspectives and healthy dialogue around various social issues and dynamics is imperative to building strong communities. This online web show gives a voice to young people, breaks down the barriers that separate us and creates awareness of resources contributing to the betterment of society.

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