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Milwaukee Turners (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Community Health and Economic Empowerment
└ Addressing community health
└ Addressing community health
Organizers with Milwaukee Turners hoped to break down barriers between different neighborhoods, all while eduating residents about healthy eating. The nonprofit worked with local community organizations to host walking tours through the Riverwest-Harambee, Metcalfe Park and Walker's Point/South Side neighborhoods. Recognizing that Milwaukee remains segregated, organizers intentionally chose participating neighborhoods from across the city to showcase the community's diversity. People who lived or worked in each neighborhood led the tours, where they shared personal stories and area history. In turn, walk participants asked questions and discussed their own lived experiences. Each walk culminated in a cooking demonstration. Many parts of Milwaukee are food deserts, so featured recipes incorporated healthy, affordable ingredients that residents can easily obtain in their neighborhoods. In the future, Milwaukee Turners hopes to host more walks in additional areas of Milwaukee.
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Flemington, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: The Harvest Family Success Center aimed to help older residents to improve and maintain their health through a better diet. As part of their efforts, the nonprofit established its Cooks Books program. Organizers set up a free, weekly outdoor produce market. Older adults in the community also received weekly wellness phone calls, which served as check-ins to assess their mental state and financial health. In addition, the Center created a library of health and wellness books. Since the initiative launched local businesses and community groups have stepped in to provide additional resources, including access to a dietician. In addition, project organizers report that during the COVID-19 pandemic the market and wellness check-ins helped older adults in the community avoid social isolation.
Monticello, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Food insecurity and limited access to affordable, healthy meals left many residents, especially older adults, without resources to learn cost-saving cooking skills. The library addressed this by purchasing a mobile kitchen cart equipped for demonstrations and hands-on classes. Programs ranged from story times for children to adult sessions on preserving food, cooking on a budget and using local produce. The cart sparked community interest, drawing new participants and partnerships with farms and advocates. Attendees praised the classes, and the library plans to expand offerings, including appliance-focused workshops and summer literacy programs tied to cooking.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Honokaa, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Food insecurity surged in rural Honokaa during the pandemic, leaving many older adults isolated and struggling to afford groceries. The project repaired the temple's kitchen roof, upgraded electrical circuits and added a three-door refrigerator, enabling safe storage and preparation of more than 25,000 meals annually. These improvements strengthened a program now serving over 500 weekly meals and grocery bags and paved the way for intergenerational cooking classes that teach economical meal planning. The upgrades also position the temple as a backup emergency shelter during disasters.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Milwaukee, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: Milwaukee faced limited housing options, with most land zoned for single-family homes, restricting affordability and accessibility for older adults. Through the Growing MKE initiative, the city expanded outreach to engage residents in shaping zoning updates. The project held pop-ups at local centers for older adults, libraries and community events, plus public meetings and surveys. It reached over 1,000 people, including hundreds age 50-plus. Feedback highlighted strong support for housing diversity, accessory dwelling units and walkable neighborhoods. This engagement built understanding of housing needs and laid the foundation for zoning changes that will enable more affordable, accessible homes for residents.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Milwaukee, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Residents will conduct 4-6 transit-oriented walk audits in three neighborhoods with congregate housing for older adults. Activities include the audit, bus training, civic engagement coaching, and follow-up.
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