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New Castle County, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, staff at the Latin American Community Center knew they needed to begin outreach efforts to ensure that New Castle's Latino communities received information about staying safe. Most of our community are essential workers, so it has affected us greatly, said Alicia Dominguez, community engagement coordinator for the ConneXiones initiative. We have clients who are positive in COVID and aren't able to work, The Center conducted a community assessment and developed an action plan. They then held pop-up testing sites and vaccination events, which reached many residents. In addition, LACC supported programs to connect residents to food assistance and rent or mortgage relief.

Pocatello, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: Many low-income Pocatello residents have limited access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Growling Garden, a community-based organization that addresses food insecurity, worked to address this by providing families with raised garden box kits. Each family received a three-tiered garden box, seed packets, compost and trowels to help them plant a backyard garden. The project helped economically strapped families extend their food budgets and gain access to healthy produce.

Heber Springs, AR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: This project will replace broken heating and air conditioning unit in a community dining room, creating a comfortable space for the patrons to enjoy a free meal.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Springfield, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: As part of wider corridor improvement efforts, the 1159 Southwest Community Development Corporation activated three vacant lots, transforming them into a public gathering space dubbed Grand Harmony. Volunteers installed porch swings, picnic tables, benches and a new grill at the site. They also added LED lighting and a storage shed. Project organizers say Grand Harmony's success has opened doors for other revitalization efforts. In December 2020, a local foundation provided 1159 South Community Development Corporation with funding to activate a nearby vacant lot into an inspiration garden.

Washington, DC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Capturing data and feedback from residents

Description: The 1882 Foundation hoped to strengthen community identity and increase civic engagement in DC's Chinatown, particularly among older adults. The Foundation designed a digital map featuring stories about places with historical and cultural significance to the neighborhood's longtime community members, including past and present residents and leaders. The Foundation distributed storytelling kits, which included tools to help participants tell their stories by writing and recording audio. Project organizers provided storytellers with bilingual instructions in English and Mandarin. To promote the initiative, the Foundation held a Mid-Autumn Festival event at the Wah Luck House, an affordable housing complex. Organizers say the digital platform will help inform urban planning policies by ensuring community priorities are included in redevelopment proposals for Chinatown.

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