This marks the seventh year that the LDAMF has awarded grants in support of innovative, creative initiatives in the three areas of its mission: Effective Teen Relationships & Violence Prevention, the Arts, and Community Service. These grant recipients carry Lauren’s spirit and memory into their important work.
A total of 15 project proposals were funded this year. They are:
- Deborah Marion of Golden Tones Chorus: “Collaborative Intergenerational Music-Making.” High school students and retirees will build a bridge across generations as they rehearse and perform loved songs together.
- Joe Oneschuck of Wayland High School Band and Jazz: “A Masterclass of Music and Spirit.” Professional trumpeter Ashley Hall will visit WHS to perform and to work with students on their craft and also to discuss risk taking and vulnerability in the life of an artist.
- Rachel Carrol of Wayland High School: “Lauren Dunne Astley Anniversary Project.” Planning for and bringing to light a meaningful remembrance on the tenth anniversary of Lauren’s death (spring 2021).
- Charlotte Salitsky, for TEDxYouth@Wayland. The student-led TEDxYouth@Wayland event on May 17, 2020 will bring powerful young voices to the stage and will include speakers whose topics aim to deepen empathy, build understanding, and empower young people to act.
- Luisa Barros of Atlant Music: “Unity Peace Festival.” The goal of this annual afternoon celebration of music, arts, and community is “to bring the community together to celebrate our neighborhoods, spread a message of peace, and help young people and families connect with organizations and programs that provide services to youth.” The Unity Peace Festival will take place on June 13, 2020 in Dorchester.
- Aidan O’Hara of Wayland High School Theater Ensemble: “WHS Theater Arts Lobby Display/Gallery.” This semi-permanent display of framed photographs will celebrate the rich history of theater and the performing arts at Wayland High School.
- Eve Budnick of Opera del West: “A Night of Divas and Doggies.” This performance of two one-act comedic operas at The Center for Arts in Natick on March 22, 2020 will have something for everyone — humor, pathos, and excellent music in an intimate local venue (and a chance for young professionals to gain experience
- Yamini Ranjan: “Women of Wayland – The Podcast.” An exciting, creative initiative that aims “to connect and inspire women in our community by telling remarkable stories of women around us.” This will be the second season of the Women of Wayland podcast.
- Rafaela Carlisle-Swedberg of the Brookline Police Department. Support to allow officer Carlisle-Swedberg to attend The National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence for training in recognizing, identifying, and effectively intervening in cases of domestic violence and teen-dating violence.
- Nancy Schacter of Jewish Family and Children’s Service. “TeenSafe” is a leadership development program that trains teens to recognize the signs of domestic and dating
