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Nuckolls County Foundation with Lawrence Community Fund (2021) Print
2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Park enhancements
└ Park enhancements
The local park in Lawrence lacked places for visitors to sit. To make the park more accessible for people of all ages and abilities, the Nuckolls County Federation and Lawrence Community Fund installed park benches and ADA-compliant picnic tables near the town's swimming pool and sports fields. The improvements built on work the partners already do to provide amenities for the village, including playground equipment and trash receptacles. Now that the park is more welcoming, community members are looking into other ways to improve the space, including replacing an outdated merry-go-round.
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New Castle County, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, staff at the Latin American Community Center knew they needed to begin outreach efforts to ensure that New Castle's Latino communities received information about staying safe. Most of our community are essential workers, so it has affected us greatly, said Alicia Dominguez, community engagement coordinator for the ConneXiones initiative. We have clients who are positive in COVID and aren't able to work, The Center conducted a community assessment and developed an action plan. They then held pop-up testing sites and vaccination events, which reached many residents. In addition, LACC supported programs to connect residents to food assistance and rent or mortgage relief.
North Yarmouth, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills
Description: To ensure first responders can help in a fire or other emergency, North Yarmouth Fire and Rescue installed Knox Home Boxes at the homes of older adults and people with disabilities. The key safes allow firefighters and other first responders to enter homes with a key or code, without needing to damage a house's doors or windows. The boxes are set up to prevent others from accessing the key, making them secure. Project organizers report residents who originally received temporary equipment have since requested permanent installation. The Knox Box initiative remains in place today in North Yarmouth.
Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities
Description: The Southeast Asian Mutual Assistance Association launched an intergenerational Elders' Story Cafe program in Mifflin Park, one of the South Philadelphia's few green spaces. Refugee and immigrant elders -- with interpreters on hand -- shared the story of their journey to Philadelphia with a multigenerational audience. The program provided an opportunity for local youth to gain a sense of pride and identity from the elders' stories while the elders, in turn, gained a forum in which to feel a valued part of the community.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Hastings, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Trails
Description: To facilitate outdoor physical activity for its residents, the City of Hastings installed four Rest/Rehydrate/Repair stations along the Pioneer Spirit Trail. Each station features a bench, accessible water fountain and pet dish, as well as a concrete pad where bikes can safety pull off the trail. They included shade trees and other landscaping at each location. In addition, two of the stations feature bicycle repair stands with air pumps and other tools. Since their installation, the 3R stations have welcomed thousands of visitors. As part of plans to expand the Pioneer Spirit Trail, the City plans to construct more 3R stations.
Hebron, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Trails
Description: The walking trail along the Little Blue River on Hebron's south side is an important pedestrian artery, connecting an area hospital and wellness center with camping, outdoor sports and fitness facilities. To improve public safety and expand the hours when residents can use the path, Hebron installed solar-powered lights. The Thayer County Walking Coalition, a local advocacy group, has worked to convince local officials to improve the trail and promote its use. With their input, the City has increased the length of local trails by about two miles in recent years. Going forward, the coalition and City hope to install lighting along additional trail segments.
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