On a summer night in New Orleans, amidst the magic of the Frenchmen Street Art Market, a textile artist & a jewelry maker - both Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (Lesotho & Sierra Leone) - spotted each other. Amongst the buzzing tourists & chaos, they locked eyes. COVID hit, Edward pivoted to making masks, & slid into Andi’s DMs. Most pickups were contactless… but not hers. From masked flirtations to hurricanes, career pivots, & cross-country moves, they’ve been each other’s favorite constant.

Every April, we return to New Orleans for Jazz Fest, where Edward has sold his textile art since 2019. Andi supports in the lead-up & grooves to live music. We savor fest food, explore new & familiar sounds, & revisit old haunts. It’s our artistic recharge in the vibrant city where we fell in love - connecting with favorite friends, laughing over video poker, & watching bayou sunsets. It's an AndWard, joy-filled tradition that brings us back to our roots & inspires where we're headed next.

We’d use $20,000 to build a new chapter on the West Coast, where creativity, community, and career growth align. After U.S. aid cuts ended her global health work, Andi is reinventing her path; Edward supports unhoused people in DC and can bring his skills west while growing his textile business. Together, we’d plant roots in a more inspiring environment - surrounded by art, water, and mountains - and leave DC’s stiff suits behind.