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Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Engaging residents in vibrant public places
└ Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Kentucky has one of the highest rates of grandparents raising grandchildren, yet resources for older caregivers are scarce. To address this, PCAK partnered with 10 Cooperative Extension Offices to host Grandparents Day events featuring activities like planting trees and building mini library boxes. Each event provided educational materials, including a new guide called "Parenting and Caregiving Over 50". The gatherings strengthened intergenerational bonds and created lasting improvements such as library boxes and landscaping. "Overhearing the conversations between the grandparents and the grandchildren was so positive... connections can be made in the simplest things," one organizer said.
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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See More Projects Like This One
Nampa, ID
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: This project aims to upgrade technology at the Idaho Hispanic Community Center by adding a new sound system, microphone, projector, and screen. These improvements will enhance the facility for community events.
Honolulu, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: The Age-Friendly Honolulu initiative launched Kind2Kupuna, a public awareness campaign to help shops, restaurants, health care providers and other public-facing businesses better serve older adults. While preparing the campaign, Age-Friendly Honolulu found the most common complaints kupuna had about shopping were difficulties reaching items on shelves, poor customer service and employees failing to smile or not making eye contact. To address these issues, they created a poster featuring ten culturally appropriate tips, including start with aloha, be mindful of memory loss, step into their shoes and make it readable. "A workforce that is more aware and equipped to accommodate physical and cognitive changes with age will be better able to support older adults in many ways, both big and small," Hawaii Pacific University Vice President Sam Moku said.
St. Paul, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Engaging residents in vibrant public places
Description: St. Paul's North End, originally settled around 1850, once was a magnet for European immigrants who worked for the railroads. In the late 1900s the neighborhood became a haven for migrants from Laos, Somalia and Burma, making it one of the most diverse places in Minnesota. The District 6 Planning Council, a local community organization that later changed its name to the North End Neighborhood Association, wanted a way to convey multilingual community and events information to residents who don't use the internet. The organization purchased five message boards and install them at two community gardens, at an outdoor seating area by an ice cream shop and in other locations.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Hazard, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: In rural Kentucky, many older adults lacked affordable medical equipment and children with disabilities faced barriers to play. The CARAT-TOP program expanded a makerspace to refurbish wheelchairs and walkers and adapt toys, engaging high school students and retired mentors. Between October and January, 37 residents received equipment, and adapted toys were donated to an elementary school. "Our students have become leaders and innovative thinkers," said a local principal. The new center will serve as a model for other communities.
Lexington, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: An anticipated change in Lexington's zoning laws to permit accessory dwelling units inspired the creation of a Homeowner's Guide to Accessory Dwelling Units. To build interest in ADUs and provide examples for the publication, the University of Kentucky School of Design hosted a design competition for students and alumni. Cash prizes were awarded to the first, second and third place winners from each group. "The ADU manual that came out of the grant -- a tangible document that people can have in their hands to understand what we're talking about -- was crucial to helping us convey the message we needed in order to bring about change," said Chris Woodall, manager of long-range planning for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
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