See More Projects Like This One

Phoenix, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: This project created waist-high, raised-bed planters for the Society of St. Vincent De Paul's urban farm. Designed to hold up in the Arizona sun and heat, the raised beds sit at the farm's entrance. Project organizers also planted shade trees and installed benches to better serve the garden's older adult volunteers and people with disabilities. A new chalk board also helps remind garden volunteers about progress on day-to-day tasks. Project organizers report that since the upgrades, many older volunteers have renewed interest in working in the garden.

Paducah, KY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Organizers with the Paducah McCracken County Senior Center wanted a community garden for low-income residents. The center addressed this need by building a garden with ADA-compliant pathways, ramps and garden beds. The new space provides older adults in the community with fresh produce, opportunities for socializing with friends and neighbors and non-strenuous physical activity.

Grand Rapids, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Long Michigan winters left older adults at Reflections Apartments isolated and unable to garden, a key source of connection and activity. Dwelling Place built an ADA-compliant greenhouse through five volunteer events, engaging many community members and local partners. The space extends the growing season and supports a seed-starting program led by residents. Older adults now plan to grow culturally relevant vegetables and share stories tied to gardening traditions, turning the greenhouse into a year-round hub for wellness and social connection.

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

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

San Francisco, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: Community Living Campaign launched a neighborhood pilot to tackle accessibility barriers that made walking difficult for older adults and people with disabilities. In several San Francisco neighborhoods, broken sidewalks and blocked curb ramps disrupted daily errands, while residents had few clear ways to report problems or track follow up. The project showed residents how to spot issues and report them through city service channels. Older adults joined short walks, meetings and trainings that explained ADA basics and encouraged people to document hazards on their own or with neighbors. Hundreds of residents took part, generating reports shared with city partners. Participants said the effort restored a sense of purpose and connection. One resident said that after retiring she had felt "no longer needed," but that the project energized her and showed her contributions mattered. City agencies have begun weaving the training into ongoing community programs.

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

San Francisco, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Digital navigation skills

Description: Many older adults in San Francisco struggled with technology-not because they lacked devices, but because they lacked help. To meet that need, SF Tech Council organized five multilingual "Tech Support Popups" that offered free one-on-one assistance in neighborhoods like Chinatown and the Tenderloin. Nearly 100 volunteers helped more than 200 residents update devices, remove viruses and sign up for affordable internet programs. The events built digital confidence and community connections, inspiring agencies to explore permanent tech help services. One Cantonese-speaking participant said she finally felt "heard" while learning to use her phone to stay in touch with her children.

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

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

mail icon

Don't see your community listed?

LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORK

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP California State Office

200 S. Los Robles Avenue
Suite 400
Pasadena, CA 91101
United States

Phone: 866-448-3615
Fax: 626-583-8500
Email: [email protected]