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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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See More Projects Like This One
Bronx, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Morris Community Garden had suffered years of neglect, and the abandoned site was overrun with rats. To breathe new live into the space, BronxWorks restored the garden, located near a senior center and three schools. They renamed the space Bean Morris Garden to memorialize a young man from the neighborhood. To welcome people of all ages and abilities, the nonprofit added accessible seating to the space, along with raised garden beds. Since the renovation, residents of all ages have volunteered to tend to the plots. Organizers say the amenity offers an important outdoor gathering space for the community.
Pittsburgh, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Grounded Strategies transformed a vacant lot in Pittsburgh's Central Hill District into a community garden. The organization relied on what is calls its ReClaim Ambassador model, which connects experts with vulnerable communities to repurpose vacant land and revitalize neighborhoods. To create the Peace, Love and Friendship Garden, the ambassador for this project worked with corporate donors, volunteers and nonprofit partners. Meant to offset the closure of a local grocery store, the garden features 72 raised beds where residents can grow vegetables. Grounded Strategies is now working with partner organization Grow Pittsburgh to create programming for the space.
Seaford, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Residents lacked a shared space to grow food and connect socially, and older adults faced barriers to gardening. The project added large beds for families, a wraparound bench for gathering and braille signage to make the garden accessible. Volunteers hosted monthly classes and provided shared tools, while soaker hoses ensured easier watering for older gardeners. These changes created a welcoming space where neighbors meet and older adults garden comfortably. A blind child exploring the Veterans Garden with braille signs showed how the project fosters inclusion and intergenerational connection.
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: This project will provide free home modifications to improve safety and accessibility for low-income older adults. Carpenters will complete repairs like grab bar installations, hand rail repairs, and smoke alarm replacements.
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