Muskogee, OK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Cracked, overgrown sidewalks in one Muskogee neighborhood forced residents with mobility challenges into the street, turning routine trips into safety risks and limiting independence for older adults. Sheena's Helping Hands organized community walk audits to document hazards along local walking routes, with older adult volunteers, residents and business owners helping capture on-the-ground conditions. The findings highlighted broken pavement, blocked paths and unsafe crossings that made wheelchair and cane use difficult. One participant recalled how a wheelchair user had to push herself to the store using her foot and repeatedly enter traffic because sidewalks were impassable, adding, "We feared for her safety." The audit results were shared with city leaders and public works staff, providing concrete evidence to support complaints and future repairs and strengthening local advocacy for safer pedestrian access.

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

New York, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Along a major Open Street in Queens, older adults rely on the corridor for daily walks yet report confusion and safety concerns tied to inconsistent signs, fast bikes and uneven pavement. Selfhelp Community Services organized five walk audits with older adult volunteers from nearby co-ops, documenting issues such as limited seating, neglected plantings and blocks needing street and sidewalk repair. A long-time resident who was previously hit by a car joined all five walks, excited to make a difference in the community. Findings were delivered to transportation officials and elected leaders as redesign and budgeting decisions advance.

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

Cairo, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: In rural southern Illinois, older adults faced unsafe walking conditions with missing sidewalks and overgrown paths, forcing them into streets to reach parks and stores. CHESI organized walk audits across three towns, engaging 37 residents, including many age 50-plus, to review 100 blocks and document hazards. Participants met with local leaders to push for improvements and raised awareness of pedestrian safety. The effort sparked advocacy campaigns and scheduled meetings with mayors. This laid the groundwork for safer sidewalks and crosswalks and inspired future livable community projects.

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