Allentown, PA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley installed new tables, benches and chairs, lighting and flower beds at the entrance to a local senior center. The enhancements helped create a safe, comfortable outdoor space for community members of all ages. Nearly 90 older adults use the Center on a daily basis and visitors now use the space to relax and converse. Project organizers report visitors and staff appreciate the beautiful space and say it has instilled a sense of pride in the community. Inspired by the success of this project, the United Way went on to plan a similar gathering space at another community center.

Derry, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To encourage community bonding and intergenerational connections, the Marion Gerrish Community Center created an outdoor space for people to play games. The Center chose large games -- including cornhole, bocce, Jenga, Connect Four, Yardzee, Farkel, chess and checkers -- that would be easy to play and visible from the street. They made the area designated for the games level, ensuring it would be accessible and safe. The Center offers weekly times for older adults to play cornhole and bocce. Community members can sign out the games for use on the property and the Center also loans them out for local events, including Derry Fest, the Derry Farmers Market and the local police departments' National Nite Out.

Lebanon, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Older adults often skipped downtown events because seating was scarce and carrying chairs or umbrellas was difficult. To remove these barriers, the organization introduced the Helping Hub, a mobile cart stocked with folding and collapsible chairs with armrests. It also includes umbrella-cane combos for shade and mobility support and brochures on local services. Volunteers assembled and deployed the cart at events, making gatherings more inclusive. Participants expressed gratitude, saying it felt like "rolling out the welcome mat." The cart will continue to serve future events and is prompting other groups to consider similar accessibility measures.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.