About Weave: The Social Fabric ProjectWeave supports those who have found a more connected way to live. Weave explores what it means to weave in our schools, our workplaces and every other part of life. Weave’s mission is to invite everyone to start living like a Weaver and shift our culture from one that values achievement and individual success to one that finds value in deep relationships and community success.We live in a world where technology can connect us to anyone in a blink of an eye and yet, we rarely look into each other’s eyes. We don’t take the time to really see, know or trust each other. And we do what humans do when we feel vulnerable and alone: we revert to tribe. It’s friend/enemy, us/them, build walls, hatred, erect barriers There is a better way to live. Thousands of people across the US are taking time to show up for others… all the way up. They are building connections in their communities and weaving a rich social fabric. Being part of just such a community was what lifted New York Times columnist and author David Brooks out of his isolation, inspiring him to found Weave: The Social Fabric Project at the Aspen Institute.WeaveWEV_cb57c54a-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea00The Weave TeamThe true faces of Weave are the Weavers. They are in every community, quietly creating connection, inspiring hope and leading with love. You can find their stories here. Our team supports Weavers and illuminates their way of life to inspire others to join them.Frances KraftCommunity ManagerAdilio AlfaroProgram CoordinatorHershawna FrisonProgram AssociateFrederick RileyExecutive DirectorDavid BrooksChairKrystle StarvisAssociate DirectorMichael SkolerCommunications DirectorMaria OahCommunity AssistantAspen InstituteWeave’s Home is the Aspen Institute ~ The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. Weave: The Social Fabric Project reports to the president of Aspen.Weave Funders & PartnersCulture change requires many to show courage and declare that there is a better way for us to live. Weave’s work is supported by individuals and organizations who believe that changing our culture of hyper-individualism is key to healing the disconnection, isolation and despair in American society and building social trust. Countless people and organizations already work locally to support neighbors who are struggling and to build healthy, connected and inclusive communities. All are partners in this work. Weave has received funding from the following people and organizations.Jacklyn G. Bezos Miguel A. BezosPenny CoulterJames G. CoulterThe Crown FamilyJessica M. FullertonJohn B. FullertonPete KadensPenner Family FoundationResnick Foundation David RubensteinGillian SteelRobert K. SteelAllstateDavid and Lucile Packard FoundationEinhorn CollaborativeFacebookM&T BankNextdoorWalton Family FoundationWalmart FoundationA more connected way to live_cb57c6d0-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea00To shift our culture from one that values achievement and individual success to one that finds value in deep relationships and community success_cb57c7f2-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea00CommunityRelationshipsSocial TrustAwardsRecognize those who build trust and connect us_cb57c978-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea001Community Weavers in BaltimoreSome people weave their communities together. They are the ones we all trust, the people we count on to get things done and to see the best in everyone. We call them Weavers and here’s our chance to recognize and celebrate the Weavers in Baltimore. 2021 awardees:Aida Medinaof Highlandtown leads Gallery Church Baltimore, where she uses her bilingual skills to connect teen moms, newcomers and families in need to free childrens clothes, diapers and formulaAshley Espositoworks for the State of Maryland and co-founded the Village of Violetville, Inc. to connect people and meet neighborhood needs from vaccinations to school supplies to beautification projects and community activitiesAudrey Carterof the Oliver neighborhood started the Team-up to Clean-up Project and will use the funds to beautify the community, offer youth stipends, and start a farmers’ market to address the fresh food shortageDanielle Battleof Cherry Hill founded RICH-Restoring Inner City Hope and will use the award for youth enrichment classes such as woodworking, STEM, conflict resolution, anti-bullying through improvisational comedy, mentoring and photographyDuane “Shorty” Davisworks throughout Baltimore on his project Good in the Hood, BBQ’ing to bring people together at family-friendly events so they can connect, share food and ideasElijah Milesworks with Tendea Family in McElderry Park and is starting the year-round Tendea’s Servant Leaders Program for teens with a paid summer learning instituteGeraldine Taylorof the Panway neighborhood work through the Urban Oasis, a community-created organization, and will use the award to support start-up grassroots projects in minority communities.Arica Gonzalezof the Panway neighborhood work through the Urban Oasis, a community-created organization, and will use the award to support start-up grassroots projects in minority communities.Reverend Michele Wardleads an association of block captains in the Greenmount West neighborhood and is launching the Lights On Greenmount West campaign to allow 140 homeowners to get solar-powered outdoor lighting for their stoops and back alleys and inspire informal outdoor community gatheringNaimah Sharifworks in Belair-Edison and West Baltimore through her nonprofit NLife, which creates programs and events to connect people to each other, their neighborhoods and communal celebration to promote social and physical wellnessRocky Brownleads the Ellwood Park Project, which aims to attract more homeowners to the neighborhood, and will use the award to rehabilitate the park pavilion, resurface the playground and expand sports camps and youth programsCommunity Weavers in Baltimore Selection CommitteeWho chose them? We are grateful to the community folks who had the tough job of picking our awardees:Judeith Jamesof the Alternative Approaches to Mental Health Crisis CenterShantell L. Robertsof Touching Young Lives, Inc. Ako Changa Onyangoof AO Services, Inc.Krystle Starvisof the Aspen InstituteAntonio Taboraof the Latino Economic Development CenterHershawna Frisonof the Aspen InstituteBrian Geradoof Business Volunteers MarylandTanya R. Dorseyof M&T BankNneka Nnamdiof Fight Blight BaltimoreJim Petersonof M&T BankCrickett Wolosonof the Elbow FundPaul Taylorof the Mayor’s OfficeWhy an award? The most important people in our communities are those who build trust and connect us. They may be the parent next door, the super-friendly high schooler, the energetic retiree. They make us feel good about ourselves and each other. We created the Weaver Awards to recognize them. From 100 applications, a selection committee of locals chose the 10 finalists to receive $7,000 each to complete a project that connects us and makes us feel we belong here. Meet our Awardees!_cb57cb62-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea00ConnectionsEnable connections among those who care about building social trust and community_cb57cc7a-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea002Join the party ~ If you care about building social trust and community, we invite you to connect with others like you. The Weaver Awards are about more than grants. We host a national online weavers community and are starting a special group for Baltimore Weavers. You’ll be able to share your work and stories, get support, find resources and funding, learn skills, and meet partners to advance your weaving.Work & StoriesShare work and stories_cb57cd92-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea002.1Resources, Funding & SupportProvide support, find resources and funding_cb57ceaa-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea002.2SkillsEnable learning of skills_cb57cfb8-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea002.3PartnershipsFacilitate connection with partners_cb57d0d0-c57d-11ec-94b3-8eef2483ea002.42022-04-26https://weareweavers.org/about/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net