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New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity Inc. (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Public space activation
└ Public space activation
A neighborhood playground in Musicians Village had fallen into disrepair, leaving older adults and families without a safe space to gather. Volunteers replaced damaged equipment and added two new play structures. They also installed an accessible picnic table and built a new fence to restore safety and appeal. Monthly cleanups removed hazards like broken glass, and community events drew residents back to the park. The upgrades transformed the site into a welcoming space for multigenerational activity. This prompted additional city funding for future improvements, signaling long-term investment in neighborhood livability.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Cleveland, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The May Dugan Center, which serves low-income older adults in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood, hoped to create a welcoming gathering space for its Seniors on the Move program. To make the Center's outdoor area accessible, organizers outfitted the space with four ADA-compliant picnic tables. Additionally, the Center provided program participants with herb garden kits, allowing them to create windowsill gardens in their homes. Ultimately, organizers hope experience tending the kits will help SOTM participants hone their gardening skills, which they will use to plant flower beds and raised vegetable plots at the Center. This project is part of the nonprofit's larger mission to help older adults manage their financial, physical and emotional wellbeing, allowing them to safely age in place.
Liberty, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Low literacy rates and few enrichment activities left older adults in Casey County without ways to learn and connect. The library installed a StoryWalk along an accessible trail, featuring interactive story panels and hosting a ribbon-cutting event. Walking groups and families began using it for exercise and engagement, and stories rotate monthly. One participant said he that he thought the incorporation of sign language was very useful, and enjoyed learning and using it.
Clarkston, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Clarkston's only community center was unusable, leaving older adults without a safe space for activities in a city where language barriers and isolation are common. The organization renovated the center with new furniture and climate control, then launched crochet workshops pairing older adults with youth. It also spurred new Tai Chi and peace education classes. The permanent hub now hosts programs and resource drives, fostering intergenerational learning and cultural exchange. For residents age 50-plus, the center offers consistent programming and a nearby venue to stay active and connected.
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New Orleans, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: This project will engage local older adults to ensure their needs are considered in efforts to redesign several bus shelters across the city. The Committee seeks to make public transit accessible, safe, comfortable and climate-resilient for people of all ages.
New Orleans, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: In New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, many residents lack access to public outdoor spaces. To provide additional recreational areas and bolster intergenerational connections for residents, the Sankofa Community Development Corporation improved Sankofa Wetland Park and Nature Trail, clearing overgrown grass, fallen trees and other obstructions from the water's edge. Project organizers also installed benches and bike racks and bought new fishing equipment for visitors to use in the park. Fishing has great cultural significance to the residents of this neighborhood and provides a way for elders to bond with and mentor local youth.
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