Portland, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills

Description: East Portland neighborhoods faced climate risks and social isolation, leaving older adults and people with disabilities vulnerable during emergencies. To build resilience, the coalition hosted 10 Live Well Cafe events where residents shared ideas on aging well, home safety and mutual aid. Discussions included multilingual sessions and practical tips like adding handrails or creating family compounds. The project strengthened social ties and raised awareness of emergency preparedness, sparking plans for Community Resilience Hubs and informing local strategies for more inclusive, connected neighborhoods.

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

Portland, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: An overgrown, sloped area once blocked access and limited community connection. Kindness Farm transformed it into a vibrant garden with medicinal and edible plants, a covered deck and an ADA-accessible ramp. More than 180 volunteers helped create the space and joined over 50 workshops on topics from regenerative gardening to construction skills. The new area now hosts educational programs, art and music gatherings, and will provide fresh produce for donation for decades. As one volunteer shared, "The new community gardening and gathering space has brought so many community members together already... and will continue to allow for more learning opportunities and accessibility."

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