Pittsburgh, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities

Description: As Lawrenceville rapidly changed, the stories of older residents who built the neighborhood risked being lost. The project honored six women with a mural on a prominent facade and hosted a block party to unveil it. Volunteers collected 29 oral histories and published a zine celebrating nominees, creating intergenerational connections. "This event... was the celebration of her life that she would have wanted," said one daughter about the tribute giving her closure after losing her mother. The effort preserved community history and renewed engagement in age-friendly programs.

Philadelphia, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities

Description: For decades, the Vine Street Expressway has split Chinatown, forcing older adults to cross seven lanes of traffic to reach groceries and services. To ensure their voices shaped plans for a proposed highway cap, PCDC hosted five bilingual engagement events for older adults at food distribution sites and the 10th Street Plaza. The effort produced 760 survey responses, including 235 from those age 50-plus, highlighting priorities like safety and cultural inclusion. As one staff member said after helping a hesitant resident complete a survey, "Her voice does matter... her opinion is very much valued." The feedback will guide design for a cap that reconnects the neighborhood and creates accessible public space.

Springfield, TN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities

Description: Rural residents, including older adults, faced barriers to library access and social engagement, leaving many isolated. To address this, the district launched the "Reading Across Robertson" Book Bus, retrofitted with shelves, seating and Wi-Fi, and stocked with books for all ages. Since its launch, the bus has hosted 16 programs, welcomed 2,000 visitors and given away hundreds of books. Older adults now enjoy story times and technology help, while volunteers foster intergenerational connections. One volunteer said, "Seeing the kids' eyes light up when they find a book they love-it's priceless."