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Town of Windham Human Services (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Public places
└ Community Gardens
└ Community Gardens
Older adults in Windham had few chances for social engagement and healthy activities, leaving many isolated. The local center added raised garden beds and offered tools and weekly sessions led by a master gardener. This created an inviting space that drew new participants and expanded partnerships. The garden is now a hub for connection and learning, reducing isolation and promoting well-being. One participant said the leader's passion for organic cultivation "kindled my interest and active participation."
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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Florida City, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Food insecurity in Florida City left many residents, including older adults, without reliable access to fresh produce or safe spaces to connect. Sprout Up introduced aeroponic gardening, creating a shared garden where volunteers grow fruits and vegetables for community fridges and choice pantries. The project not only improves food access but also fosters social ties and a sense of purpose. "Being able to come to the garden and have someone to talk to has really made me feel less alone," said one participant.
Ranson, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: To create a welcoming space for older adults and foster intergenerational engagement, Ranson Community Gardens added a micro-orchard with 10 native fruit trees, a berry patch and a patio with seating. Informational signage and a nearby parking area improved accessibility, and two community events introduced the orchard to residents. The space now hosts classes and social gatherings, helping older adults connect with neighbors and nature. At a tree planting event, one longtime resident said he planned to bring his grandchildren and would think of the project every time he saw his new tree.
Potomac, MD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Older adults volunteering in HarvestShares donation garden faced physical strain from bending and lifting. At the same time, many people, including those over age 50-plus, struggled with food insecurity. The project added elevated beds, lightweight hoses, cooling fans and trellises to make gardening safer and more accessible. These upgrades boosted productivity and helped volunteers work comfortably even in extreme heat, resulting in over 1,000 pounds of fresh produce for a local pantry. One volunteer in her late 70s said elevated beds and lighter hoses made it possible for her to keep gardening weekly.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Windham, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: The project aimed to transform a neglected downtown park into a welcoming space for social connection. Grant funds provided four ADA-compliant tables and benches, giving residents a place to gather and linger. The new seating quickly became popular, inspiring momentum for a full redesign. A landscape architect is now developing plans for a vibrant community hub, and residents are already using the space for picnics and informal gatherings instead of just passing through.
Hebron, CT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Town Center Project wanted to revitalize Hebron's village green and create the kind of downtown people want to visit. To do this, they invited residents to Take a Seat in a dozen hand-painted Adirondack chairs installed in the historic village center. Local artists entered a competition to design the seating, which volunteers assembled. Each wood-slatted chair has its own look, ranging from African-themed designs to an under-the-sea concept. The village stores over the winter to protect them from snow, bringing them out every spring for residents and visitors to enjoy.
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