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Jesus Word Center (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
North Lawndale, whose population is 70 African American and 50 aged over 55 years, is one of 22 Chicago community areas with neither a grocery store nor supermarket. To combat food insecurity there, Jesus Word Center converted a vacant lot into a community garden. Project organizers purchased gardening tools, compost and vegetable seeds for local volunteers, most of whom are older adults. The improvements allowed gardeners to grow vegetables, fruit and herbs and the Jesus Word Center planned health and wellness workshops onsite. In the future, organizers hope to introduce a farmers market in the area as well, with the goal of improving health outcomes in the majority-Black community.
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Sheridan, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Heritage Towers set out to give older adults a place to grow fresh food and spend time outside, addressing the lack of accessible spaces for residents with limited income and mobility. The team built raised beds, added sturdy outdoor seating and organized planting events that helped tenants grow vegetables, herbs and flowers. The harvest supported shared meals that brought people together and encouraged more time on the patio. Tenants said the garden reminded them of growing food when they were younger, and many began volunteering to start seeds for next year. The project prompted more outdoor activity, strengthened social ties and laid the groundwork for a lasting source of fresh produce and connection for residents.
South Coffeyville, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: This project will create a community vegetable garden to grow Cherokee heirloom plants. The garden will feature raised beds and seating to accommodate older residents.
Rolette County, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Project organizers planted fruit trees and native plants, enhancing a new garden on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa powwow grounds. The community gardening space featured turtle-shaped pots, which hold flowers and plants -- such as sweet grass and silver sage -- needed for traditional medicines. The Committee hopes fruit from the trees will feed community members and visitors to the annual Powwow celebration. Additionally, the popularity of the turtle-themed planters inspired a fundraising idea. Powwow organizers plan to create similar planters to sell in the future, with proceeds going toward running the Powwow.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Access to high-speed internet
Description: To bridge the digital divide for those living nearby, the North Lawndale Employment Network installed a Wi-Fi tower on the roof of its new building. Providing free internet is an important step toward increased livability in North Lawndale -- the neighborhood ranks among the bottom three in Chicago for broadband access. In addition, 45 percent of households live below the federal poverty limit and many lack internet access at home. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NLEN had to transition many of its services to an online format. NLEN has since been selected as a participant in the Chicago Connected initiative, which connects local public school students with internet access and digital education. To bolster its efforts, the organization hired a digital literacy specialist and hopes to operate a lending library with laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots in the future.
Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance repair and services
Description: Many older adults living in their own homes faced safety hazards that increased fall risk and made daily routines harder to manage, with limited options for affordable repairs. Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago addressed this need through its Second Saturdays initiative, completing targeted home safety and accessibility improvements that helped residents move more confidently through their homes. Skilled volunteers carried out hands-on repairs while spending time with homeowners, pairing practical fixes with human connection. One resident said the work was an answer to their prayers and eased worries about falling or being forced to move. The changes reduced everyday safety concerns and supported older adults who wanted to remain where they live while demonstrating a repeatable model for addressing small but critical home safety needs over time.
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