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Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Philadelphia's Hunter Park neighborhood is considered a food desert. The Food Trust's community orchard, garden and farmer's market give local families a way to access fresh fruits and vegetables. To raise awareness, Food Trust workers handed out fliers and put up banners directing residents to the market. They also put on a fall festival, which featured a series of walking tours of the gardening facilities, which are located within a neighborhood park. Volunteers distributed coupons to attendees, allowing them to purchase fruits and vegetables grown onsite. Additionally, the Food Trust provided tour participants with garden kits and encouraged them to join the volunteer-led community garden. Since the publicity efforts, project organizers report a boost in garden membership.
Winnemucca, NV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: A large community garden in one of Winnemucca's parks had fallen into disrepair. But organizers with Age- and Dementia-Friendly Winnemucca saw the space's potential and set out to revitalize the community space. Organizers wanted to make the garden accessible, allowing people with mobility issues to garden while seated, or simply observe others while they work. To achieve this, they installed hip-height raised garden beds onsite. Additionally, they laid down pavers to create smooth surface suitable for people using wheelchairs and walkers. New benches completed the transformation, giving visitors a comfortable space to rest. To ensure the garden remains well cared for, the age-friendly initiative also purchased a weedwhacker for the site, along with a drip irrigation system. Organizers say the project's success inspired local leaders to consider other ways to improve the park.
St. George, AK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: To help increase food security and overall livability in St. George, the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association renovated its greenhouse. In additional to providing a place to grow produce, the greenhouse doubles as a community gathering space.
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Richmond, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: To make waiting for the bus more comfortable and accessible for residents of the Northside neighborhood, Storefront for Community Design installed six benches. The organization partnered with Northside Strong, a coalition of community groups and local nonprofits, as well as environmental group Groundwork RVA. To determine the best locations for the benches, Northside Strong conducted a study and held public engagement sessions, which more than 200 residents attended. Project organizers then hosted multigenerational events where residents designed, painted and installed the benches. They offered stipends to 44 low-income community members for their time, labor and expertise throughout the project. Organizers with Storefront for Community Design say the community-wide collaboration shows the necessity of providing amenities, such as benches, for Richmond residents.
Richmond, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: HomeFit Modifications
Description: This project will provide information to housing developers, enabling them to incorporate accessibility features in new homes. The universal design elements will help older adults and people with disabilities age in place.
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