Digital Safari Institute for Innovation in Education - Concord, CA
(an innovation
initiative - current)
For over ten years, the Digital Safari Academy - a multimedia career academy at
Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, CA -
has been developing and refining innovative project-based learning strategies
including the GreenBizz Project, a highly successful multi-discipline
project-based learning program that integrates entrepreneurship with economics,
english and multimedia curricula. The GreenBizz Project culminates with the
annual Digital Safari Innovation Fair - an exciting "tech expo" and business
plan competition for student-run companies. The Digital Safari Institute
was formed to provide a vehicle for taking the Academy's Innovation Project
Model to other schools and to provide a platform for developing and testing
effective project-based learning strategies.
Digital Safari Innovation Fair: www.InnovationFair.org
Digital Safari
Academy's Career Explorations Program - Concord, CA
(an innovation
initiative - current)
Praxis has been an active partner with the DSA for over a decade. Our
pioneering work at the Academy has transformed how core subjects are taught at
the Academy. As a result of our achievements at the Academy, DSA was selected in
2009 as one of two academies in the nation to participate in a pilot project
sponsored by a national educational research organization (MDRC) to develop and
test models for increasing student exposure to careers and career paths through
specialized in-class career work-shops and enhanced interactions with businesses
and employers via job shadows and internships. Our efforts, challenges and
solutions are being used to guide the roll-out of this program across the
nation. We’re pleased to say that DSA's 2010 internship program was very
successful - twenty-five students were placed with 11 host organizations including the
Willows Theatre Company, the Ambrose Teen Center in Bay Point, and the Central
Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority. Projects ranged from designing brochures and
posters to creating web graphics and producing educational videos.
Career Explorations Program: www.DigitalSafari.org/careers
Friends of Project Insight - San Francisco, CA
(a fiscally sponsored project - current)
Project Insight is the San Francisco's
Rec. and Park Department's home for all adaptive recreation programs and
activities. For over 30 years, Project Insight has provided a wide range of
adaptive recreation programs for people who are deaf and hard of hearing, blind
and visually impaired, and people who have other disabilities. Praxis is the
fiscal sponsor for Friends of Project Insight, a non-profit support group made
up of members of the deaf community, their families, friends and supporters of
Project Insight's programs.
Project Insight
Ambassadors for Africa - Novato, CA
(an organizational development client - current)
Ambassadors for Africa is dedicated to healing Africa one family at a time.
Our current project is to create sustainable funding for in hospital treatment
for impoverished Ugandan children suffering from malaria. Uganda, a small
country with children comprising 50 per cent of the population, has the highest
incidence of malaria in Africa. Malaria is the single most important cause of
disease and death among children with about 100,000 under five dying annually
from malaria and it's complications. That's one child every 30 seconds. With
treatment, comes hope for the future and increased stability for families. Praxis is providing organizational and
technical support and served as AFA's fiscal sponsor in 2011.
www.AmbassadorsforAfrica.org
Sustainable Contra Costa - Contra Costa County
(an organizational development client - current)
Sustainable Contra Costa is a non-profit organization working to create more
sustainable communities in Contra Costa County. SCOCO community activists are
part of a growing coalition of individuals, families, businesses and
organizations who are committed to making personal changes toward more
sustainable living and working while also addressing broader issues and
practices that affect our communities. Praxis is providing organizational and
technical support and served as its fiscal sponsor in 2011. SCOCO is now an
independent 501(c)(3) organization.
www.SustainableContraCosta.org
Families ACT! - Santa Barbara, CA
(an organizational development client - current)
Families ACT! is dedicated to
addressing the many challenges faced by individuals and families struggling with the impacts of co-occurring disorders of mental illness and drug dependency.
In addition, Families ACT! actively educates the public about issues surrounding
the treatment of people suffering from dual diagnosis. Praxis assisted Families ACT!
in securing over $30,000 in seed funding to convene a countywide task force of stakeholders including civic leaders and family members to document the state of need in the county, develop strategies for improving community services, and outline a plan for a new residential treatment facility. Praxis continues to provide organizational and technical support.
www.FamiliesACT.org
ContraCostaGreen.com
(an innovation initiative - current)
ContraCostaGreen.com is an on-line directory of environmental resources and
organizations in the greater Contra Costa area. In 2010, ContraCostaGreen.com
became the on-line resource library for Sustainable Contra Costa.
www.ContraCostaGreen.com
Diablo Video Arts - Contra Costa County
(an innovation initiative - 1994-2001)
Diablo Video Arts was founded in the early 90s by Mark Westwind as Contra Costa County's association of independent videographers. DVA served as a forum for avid videographers to share ideas, learn new skills and collaborate on projects. DVA was also dedicated to community service - DVA members regularly volunteered to produce videos and public service announcements for local community groups and non-profits. Members also produced a regular television program called "On Stage Tonight" featuring performances from local live music events.