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Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Unsafe sidewalks and crossings near 87th and Stony Island left older adults hesitant to walk and feeling isolated. Black Cornerstones audited 253 intersections, gathered resident stories and launched the Reimagine Stony Campaign. The effort produced a detailed walk plan, formed a walking club and hosted a block party to share findings. These steps sparked ongoing safety improvements and inspired similar efforts in other neighborhoods. One participant, age 84, said, "I used to be afraid to walk around my block, but now I feel safe and connected to my neighbors."
High Point, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Walk Audits
Description: Southwest High Point struggles with high chronic disease rates and limited car access, making safe walking routes essential. A walk audit brought residents, local leaders and advocates together to examine hazards near schools and recreation centers. The audit flagged broken sidewalks, missing crosswalks and inadequate signage. It also educated participants on pedestrian safety and empowered them to push for improvements. The effort prompted ongoing collaboration through Age-Friendly Guilford and local task forces, ensuring concerns like unsafe crossings on Taylor Avenue remain central to future infrastructure plans.
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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San Francisco, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: When the Florence Fang Asian Community Garden opened in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood in 2014, it focused on serving Asian immigrant elders and filled a need for green space and fresh food. This project expanded the garden, adding 3,000 square feet of gardening space and making it the second largest urban farm in San Francisco. The additional space allowed gardeners to try new techniques -- such as row planting -- that increased the garden's yields. Additionally, organizers upgraded the garden's compost system and set up beehives to help with pollinating crops. The larger harvest allowed garden organizers to distribute four tons of produce annually to local families in needs, including culturally relevant foods such as bok choy and Chinese chives.
San Francisco, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: This project encourages communities to assess their neighborhoods for accessibility. Residents will learn to report issues using the 311 app and other city services, promoting inclusive and accessible environments for all.
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