These 3 projects to make Dayton better just won funding

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

A dozen projects entered the ring; three rose to the top.

Audience members at Thursday night’s UpDayton Summit picked three winners after listening to pitches. 

Each project selected at the 10th annual event will receive $3,000 in seed money and a year of support from UpDayton staff, leaders and volunteers.

UpDayton’s mission is to spur economic growth in the Dayton region by attracting and retaining young creative talent.

The 10th annual year for the Summit, the event has been a catalyst for monumental projects, including Dayton Inspires, Longest Table Dayton and the mural pedestrian bridge that connects the Oregon District and South Park neighborhoods.

>> Check out this year’s official UpDayton Summit X teams and projects 

Here are the winners: 

JES MCMILLAN 

The Wall of Perseverance.

The opioid epidemic has left a gaping wound across our community. Thousands of us have lost loved ones to the grip of addiction. The Wall of Perseverance project invites everyone impacted by this crisis to come together to construct a memorial wall and to place upon it mosaic tiles in honor of each of our loved ones. By uniting around this symbol of both loss and determination, maybe, together, we can begin to heal.

>> Why this woman wants part of East Dayton branded to reflect one of its biggest strengths

AMAHA SELLASSIE & TIFFANY L. BROWN 

West Dayton Strong STEAM Lab

West Dayton Strong is an initiative working to support youth in DeSoto Bass whose exposure to trauma while living in an area with low opportunity hinders their ability for educational success. The STEAM Lab will use hands-on learning opportunities to spark young people’s interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, agriculture and math. Volunteers will work with the West Dayton Strong team to design the lab, connect with youth in a fun learning environment, and help build a sense of community.

>>Who is Amaha Sellassie

JONATHAN PLATT 

Story Chain

Reading aloud to children builds their vocabularies, increases their chances of academic success later in life, and strengthens their relationships with their caretakers. But for many incarcerated parents, providing these benefits to their kids isn’t an option. Story Chain wants to fix that. With the help of libraries, community centers, and volunteers, Story Chain will provide parents in detention facilities with children’s books to read aloud, coaches to help them rehearse and record, and mp3 players to send home.

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