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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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Elkton, MD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Older adults and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Elkton face food insecurity and chronic health issues tied to poor nutrition. Bayside responded with "Growing Lunch," turning its greenhouse and kitchen into a garden-to-table program. Participants grew and harvested produce for daily meals, learned cooking skills and used new kitchen equipment to build independence. A refillable water station encouraged healthier habits. The project improved access to fresh food and created vocational training, laying the foundation for long-term health and employment opportunities.
Munich, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: In rural Cavalier County, limited grocery hours and staffing threatened food access for some who faced long drives in harsh weather. To keep the store viable and improve convenience, the project introduced a self-service model with keyfob entry to enable 24/7 access, security cameras and a new point-of-sale system. Volunteers, many age 50-plus, helped install the technology and train members. Residents now shop anytime, reducing travel burdens and supporting aging in place. "I think the key fob idea is great... you can go whenever you want," said one local teacher.
Newport, RI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Newport wanted to encourage community members to eat locally grown fresh produce. In partnership with the Jamestown Community Garden, the Center wrote and published the first two chapters of a community cookbook. They then distributed copies of the book through the local food pantry. The first chapter offers tips on cooking with fall produce -- such as zucchini and squash -- and the second focuses on cooking for one. In addition, the center hosted a food expo, which gave residents access to info about local food resources. The community center intends to host similar events in the future.
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.
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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