Elkton, MD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Older adults and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Elkton face food insecurity and chronic health issues tied to poor nutrition. Bayside responded with "Growing Lunch," turning its greenhouse and kitchen into a garden-to-table program. Participants grew and harvested produce for daily meals, learned cooking skills and used new kitchen equipment to build independence. A refillable water station encouraged healthier habits. The project improved access to fresh food and created vocational training, laying the foundation for long-term health and employment opportunities.

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

Elkton, MD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Public space improvements to support recovery after extreme weather events

Description: Bayside worked to protect older adults and adults with disabilities who faced serious risks during storms and outages, and who often lacked an emergency plan or access to a safe place to shelter. The project installed a generator to keep the Day Program building operational as an emergency shelter. It also offered CPR, First Aid and preparedness classes that improved understanding of disaster risks for participants and caregivers. Post-project surveys showed major gains in awareness and confidence, and training with first responders strengthened readiness across households. The generator and ongoing classes now provide a stable foundation for long-term resilience for those most vulnerable during severe weather.

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