Brain Jam at Springville Road Regional Library Finalist for Awesome Foundation Grant

Yolanda Hardy, regional manager, Kelly Laney, center, with a fellow Awesome Foundation finalist

Brain Jam, a Springville Road Regional Branch Library program designed to stimulate the minds of senior citizens, was a finalist for a $1,000 grant in Birmingham.

Kelly Laney, adult services librarian at Springville Road Regional Library who came up with the idea for Brain Jam, was among five finalists selected by Awesome Foundation Birmingham. Laney and the other four finalists made five-minute pitches before the judges August 26 at Carrigan's Public House brewery downtown on Morris Avenue.

The winner selected by the Awesome Foundation judges was Perfect Punctuality, a program at Minor Community School in western Jefferson County that rewards students with perfect attendance at the K-8 school.

Besides Brain Jam and Perfect Punctuality, the other three finalists were Coosa Riverkeepers, Our Firm Foundation, a mentoring program at Inglenook K-8 School, and Project Open Mic, a violence prevention program.

Brain Jam began at Springville Road Library in March, and strives to provide mental stimulation that helps prevent aging adults from developing Alzheimer's disease. Brain Jam offers programs that keep senior adults actively engaged in exercise, teaches nutritional information on healthy eating, and social interaction.

During her presentation, Laney said studies have show that mental stimulation that exercises the mind can improve the quality of life and slow cognitive decline that often occurs as adults age.

Too see Brain Jam in action, come to Springville  Road Library this Friday, August 30, at 11:00 a.m.

The Birmingham Chapter of the Awesome Foundation provides 10 $1,000 grants a year to support projects that help make the Magic City more "awesome" in the categories of science, arts, education, civic engagement an entertainment.   You do not have to be a 501c3 nonprofit to qualify. The grants can go to groups, individuals, and small nonprofits.

The Awesome Foundation Birmingham hosts finalists its The Grand Idea presentations by finalists 10 time a year at Carrigan's Public House. A $1,000 winner is selected after each meeting.