Evansville, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: HomeFit Modifications

Description: Missing handrails or grab bars made routine movement at home unsafe for many older adults and in some cases kept them from leaving their houses. Community One addressed this risk through its Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program by installing handrails and grab bars in local homes and purchasing materials for future projects. Volunteer-led installations focused on practical fixes at entryways, stairs and bathrooms. One resident said that without a handrail, leaving her home felt dangerous, but after installation she felt relief and could move safely. The work reduced fall risk, supported aging in place and built a trained volunteer base for ongoing support.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Evansville, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Broken sidewalks and missing curb cuts made everyday walking unsafe for older adults and people with disabilities in northern Jacobsville, limiting access to services and healthcare. Jacobsville Area Community Corporation led sidewalk audits across more than 70 blocks with the city engineer, documenting conditions and creating a system to rank safety concerns and estimate repair needs. A volunteer recalled seeing a wheelchair user forced to turn back at an intersection with no curb cut. By turning observations into documented data, the project gave the city a practical framework to prioritize repairs and plan long-term improvements that support safer walking and independence.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.