For true democracy to work, citizens must come together to develop creative, local solutions to problems in their communities. Pando Projects is a nonprofit that offers a digital platform to make this local activism as easy and effective as possible.
We support emerging leaders who have creative ideas for strengthening their communities. We help them carry out grassroots projects by providing project mentorship and an online workspace with the tools they need to execute their vision.
Our goal is to help thousands of Americans bring their ideas to fruition through projects that help create a better world. We are starting with 15 pilot projects that will create change within New York City. You can browse the pilot projects on this site. These projects will be carried out from February-May 2011.
Pando Projects
Groups
Delivering free household items to victims of domestic violence
New YorkNYdomestic violence, women's rightsSee moreMy name is Jermel Royal. I received my MSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work and my Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College. Victims of domestic violence often want to leave their abusive relationships, but are unable to do so because they don't have the money to buy new furniture or household items. I am starting "A Gift of Love" to provide 12 adult victims of domestic violence with free recycled furniture, appliances and other household goods. I will also refer them for career and educational counseling. I hope that these gifts will encourage them to leave their unhealthy relationships and start new lives.
Art classes for young patients at NY Presbyterian Hospital
New YorkNYarts, children, hospitalsSee moreMy name is Sean Alday; I’m a writer living in Brooklyn. Diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 15, I sometimes found myself in the hospital with no idea of how I got there. Artists of All Stripes will be teaching an art class for children at New York-Presbyterian Hospital to help them express their themselves and make their hospital experience easier.
Fun reading program for kids in West Harlem
New YorkNYchildren, youth, educationSee moreMy name is Ashley Williams and I'm a junior at Columbia University. I participated in a competitive reading incentive program, Battle of the Books, as a child. I've started the program at a West Harlem elementary school to promote 4th and 5th graders' excitement about reading.
Empowering young leaders to advocate social justice.
New YorkNYchildren, youth, education, history, social justiceSee moreMy name is Sherill-Marie Henriquez and I am a sophomore at Columbia University. I started Bounce School to empower urban youth and encourage them to question issues in their community, because growing up, I felt that the young people in my neighborhood were not motivated to question or get involved in community issues.
Building Community through Growing Food in Queens
AstoriaNYenvironment, health, community garden, Queens, food access, food security, food justiceSee moreMy name is Stephanos Koullias and I'm a 31 year old environmental activist with a focus on food. I'm starting a project to increase participation in the Two Coves Community Garden in Queens. We will create a physical and organizational structure to allow returning and seasoned gardeners to partner with novice and casual gardeners with an interest in growing food, sharing the harvest, and reaping the benefits of a healthy community.
using dance and choreography to build confidence in schoolchildren
New YorkNYArts & YouthSee moreMy name is Jodi Tatum and I studied Philosophy at Fordham University. I plan on using choreography to help children express what makes them unique and show them that they don't have to be the next celebrity in order to be valuable and successful. They can become their own role models.
Art classes for kids
NewarkNJarts, kids, mentors, craftsSee moreMy name is Hannah Brandt, and I’m an artist. Express Yourself will give young children an opportunity to express themselves through art. From group projects and murals to individual artistic exploration, students will learn that there is no right or wrong way to create art. The project will emphasize the importance of self-expression, community building and acceptance.
Helping foster children aging out of foster care have a brighter future
New YorkNYEducation, Children, Foster CareSee moreMy name is Geneva Smith and I am a former foster child. After I was legally adopted I began thinking about the kids who never found a permanent home. I then found out that when a foster child turns 18, the foster care system kicks them out giving them little or no assistance with their new life. That's why I want to create, Fostering Greatness, a program that will help the foster youth of New York City aging out of Foster Care feel more prepared, excited, and hopeful for their new adult lives.
Mentoring at-risk teenagers
New YorkNYyouth, mentorship, at-risk teenagersSee moreMy name is Shawn and I'm an educator, writer, and actor. I live in the Rochdale Village housing cooperative which has over 30,000 residents and many at-risk teenagers. I am starting a mentorship program to help the young men find a positive, supportive community.
Classes to teach kids how to grow their own fresh produce
New YorkNYenvironment, community garden, health, South Bronx, kidsSee moreMy name is Ying Guo, a 24-year-old Community Healthcorps (Americorps) member. Many children growing up in South Bronx don't understand where their food comes from and have never tasted fresh fruits and vegetables. Growing Gardens Growing Kids classes will help them plant and grow their own fresh produce, start a community garden, and learn about nutrition and healthy eating.
Connecting LGBT youth with role models
New YorkNYLGBT, teenagers, mentorshipSee moreWith the recent saddening reality that has come to light regarding the bullying, discrimination, and the fact that LGBTQ youth believe that turning to suicide is the answer. Guiding Proud hopes to help these youth handle life as they face adversity. Guiding Proud will be taking 5 to 7 youth out on the town for activities around the city and connect these youth with LGBTQ adults who have faced these same adversities and have overcome them and became strong, self-confident adults.
we train young adults as computer programmers and connect them with tech bootstrappers.
New YorkNYunemployment, entrepreneurship, techSee morehack/change trains low-income youth + young adults in computer programming and connects them with bootstrapping entrepreneurs in effort to create and sustain a cycle of tech entrepreneurship for underrepresented populations.
Our inaugural series begins at the end of this month and will train students to be proficient in Ruby on Rails as well at HTML/CSS.
Storytelling to help teenagers find pride in who they are and where they come from
New YorkNYteenagers, writing, education, youthSee moreMy name is Tanea Lunsford and I am a sophomore at Columbia University studying Anthropology and Human Rights. I am starting a series of writing workshops for high school students who have an interest in sharing their experiences and initiating change within their communities. The writing class is a 9-week program designed for high school students who come from neighborhoods that are under-resourced, struggling, or disadvantaged.
Empowering Black Women to take care of their physical, mental & spiritual health holistically
BrooklynNYwomen's health, preventative care, African American issuesSee moreMy name is Jazzmine Clarke-Glover, and I decided to start the Icare-4-ME Network to empower Black Women to make themselves their #1 priority. Through this support system, which will educate, empower and connect these women to resources, I hope to show them how important they are, even if they do not know it yet.
Helping immigrant children experience & understand American culture
New YorkNYimmigration, children, culture, arts, community, education, connectSee moreHaving grown up with the divergent cultures of Taiwan and the United States, I understand the benefits of being able to find convergence as an individual by embracing different values Unfortunately, lack of resources denies the children in NYC's Chinatown from having the same opportunity. Through our project, Open Sight, we will expose the children at PS2 in Chinatown to the varied customs and traditions found throughout the world so that they can grow as individuals. Open Sight will feature hour-long workshops with the children every Friday to showcase international cultures through food, music, and the arts.