I’m delighted to send this update for friends of Project Mosaic (www.projectmosaic.net) about some exciting developments.
WHO ARE WE?
We are grateful for the outpouring of support since Project Mosaic was launched in September 2008. Over 90 donors have contributed nearly £8k to this pro-tolerance, anti-hate educational charity. Thank you for helping to take Project Mosaic swiftly from an idea to a dynamic grassroots, global movement. Donors of Project Mosaic span racial, religious, ethnic and national spectrums. You are Christian, Jewish, Moslem, Hindu, Sikh, Bhuddist, agnostic and atheist. Donors tell us that Project Mosaic’s purpose – to use education to foster tolerance and to combat group hatred – addresses a key challenge in today’s increasingly globalised, interconnected world. Project Mosaic has three trustees in London and New York: Hester Abrams, Kat Callo and Antonia Fontana. We are fortunate to have as Advisers: Paul Eedle, Mona Eltahawy, Mary Ellen Gallagher, Surinder Hundal, Zerafina Idris and Hassan Serdoud. You can read their biographies at www.projectmosaic.net.
GIFT AID:
I’m pleased to advise that Project Mosaic is registered with HM Revenue and Customs and receives “Gift Aid” tax refunds from the UK government. This means Project Mosaic gets £0.28 from the government for every £1.00 donated by a UK tax payer – and this costs nothing extra for the donor.
YOUTUBE COMPETITION:
Project Mosaic is preparing to launch its YouTube Young Filmmaker Competition. Short-film entries will promote active citizenship and tolerance in a multiethnic, pluralistic society. Watch this space! If you know young people, film clubs or schools that want to take part, please contact us.
GLOBAL CITIZENS PROGRAMME:
Project Mosaic’s Global Citizens Programme is sending speakers into secondary schools (high schools) to share with teenagers personal experiences about diaspora identity and civic engagement, and useful tips about job hunting, career building and higher education. To find out more, please contact us.
LECTURE SERIES:
The Project Mosaic Lecture Series is coming! If you can help us to secure a free or cost-effective London venue for 100 people, please let us know.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
Project Mosaic is a registered charity (UK charity number 1127954) that works to change people’s thinking, one conversation at a time. We create and disseminate teaching tools to encourage 13-to-15-year-olds, as well as older and younger people, to combat group hatred and to improve civic society by embracing a pluralistic, multiethnic model of engaged citizenship. Project Mosaic was set up in memory of New York Firefighter Lieutenant David J Fontana, who was one of the 343 firefighters that died while helping to rescue some 28,000 people from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Dave was my cousin.
THE PROJECT MOSAIC TEAM:
We are thrilled and very grateful to have Amanda D’Aquila working at Project Mosaic in the UK and we thank Maureen Carlomagno for all her support and valuable volunteer work for us in the U.S. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us.
PROJECT MOSAIC IS GROWING UP:
Project Mosaic has grown quickly since its creation from donations by family members and friends. We are working to raise £100k to rent an office in London, recruit a paid administrator and build a team of volunteers. We just received our first grant, thanks to Amanda D’Aquila’s hard work -- £3,000 from the Westminster Small Grants community programme. We are busy applying for other grants from UK national and local government and from private trusts. If you know of any individual, company or other possible source of funding, please let us know.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Please help us make an impact by telling at least two people about Project Mosaic. If you know anyone that wants to volunteer, please ask them to contact us. You are helping to make a positive change!
DONATIONS:
We are grateful for every donation. Please donate online at www.projectmosaic.net. It’s quick and easy.
CONTACT US:
We want your input and suggestions. Please contact us sending an email from projectmosaic.net.
Thank you!
Kat Callo
Trustee, Project Mosaic