2019-2020 VEF Grant Recipients

Project Director: James Choi, Instructor, School of Cinematic Arts, College of Computing and Digital Media

Target Audience for this Project: National or Global Community

Aspects of DePaul’s Mission that are integral to the Project: Community Service

VEF Grant Funding: $ 3,000

Abstract:
Just as the Vincentian question “What must be done?” calls us to take action in service of others for the collective good, Brazilian artist, Denise Milan, has been using her art to impact the underserved communities in Brazil, particularly the city of Héliopolis, one of the largest favelas in the Americas. Through this connection to art and nature, Denise has been able to inspire children of Héliopolis to dream big and open their imaginations to carry them into a brighter future.

Project Director: Jaclyn Jensen, Associate Professor, Management & Entrepreneurship, Driehaus College of Business Grace Lemmon, Associate Professor, Management & Entrepreneurship, Driehaus College of Business Goran Kuljanin, Assistant Professor, Psychology, College of Science and Health

Target Audience for this Project: Chicago or Regional Community

Aspects of DePaul’s Mission that are integral to the Project: Diversity and Inclusion

VEF Grant Funding: $ 6,375

Abstract:
The stigma of weight in the US marginalizes people on the basis of their physical size, and our research suggests that nearly 75% of overweight workers have experienced some form of mistreatment, bullying, or harassment at work because of their physical size. We want to share our expertise and research with organizations by developing an e-learning course for HR professionals that will focus on raising awareness around the issue of weight-based bullying and expanding inclusion at the workplace.

Project Director: Jessica King, Instructor, Screenwriting, College of Computing and Digital Media

Target Audience for this Project: Regional and National Community

Aspects of DePaul’s Mission that are integral to the Project: Diversity and Inclusion, Social Justice

VEF Grant Funding: $ 5,000

Abstract:
Gag Rules is a series of four dance films that explore what happens when women are silenced. Each film features a solo performance by a different woman in a unique location as a way to examine the myriad impacts of silencing on white, of color, older, and queer women. Gag Rules aims to continue the important, ongoing, and respectful discussion of how gender impacts women’s opportunities to speak and be heard, as well as how we can lift one another up to amplify one another’s voices.