Action of Love

Awaketrain is a program of International Humanities Center, a nonprofit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code.

OUR MISSION: Awaketrain is an education-based organization dedicated to documenting and sharing stories that encourage and empower people to make positive socio-environmental change. To do this, AwakeTRAIN travels making educational films about inspirational projects and shares them both via the internet and through interactions within the communities that we visit.

Ultimately, the goal with aWAKEtrain will be to get a diesel bus converted to run on vegetable oil and designed to be living quarters. We travel to predetermined places where people or organizations are undertaking inspiring projects, whether sustainable farming, bioremediation, guerrilla art projects, urban gardens, mining resistance, etc.

While at these places, we spend anywhere between a day and a few months doing work trade or volunteering in order to help them accomplish some of their goals. During the time we spend at each of these places we make a short film or two about what they're doing, focusing on specific aspects of their projects as well as the general concepts of their work. Our films seek to honor the concrete actions that people are taking and the ripples that spread in the wake of these actions.

Once we complete work at one of these places, we finish editing our film(s) and share them via our website and in other communities that we visit. Along with our films, our website provides more specific information, resources, and links regarding the work being done by the communities we visit. For instance, if we make a film on composting toilets, our website will provide more detailed information on how to build them, technical specifications, where to get supplies, etc. We will also provide contact information for places we have visited, as well as opportunities for people to get involved in different projects.

As we travel, we act as a connection between communities, fostering awareness about the work being done around the country and encouraging dialogue about socio-environmental issues. We do this by creating forums in comfortable spaces, either next to our bus or in a community center. In this space we show our films, have lectures, guest speakers, play music, have performance arts, or just relaxed discussions. These sessions act both as educational forums and fundraising efforts.

Throughout time, just as the projects evolve, the people involved will change. There are a few core members who are continually on board, but the rest of the spaces rotate. Different people with different interests and expertise help determine what places we visit. AwakeTRAIN highly encourages anybody who wants to be involved, whether it's by providing knowledge, services, funding, music, or time.

Where are we currently?

As of now we are in the organizational phase of our development, creating AwakeTRAIN as a functioning organization, beginning with core legal and organizational aspects, initial fundraising, and building a community of support. Right now we are undertaking initial film projects as well. Awaketrain is based out of the San Juan Islands, Wa and the San Francisco Bay Area.