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University of Kentucky Research Foundation (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Community Health and Economic Empowerment
└ Addressing community health
└ Addressing community health
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.
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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Myrtle Beach, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Using public art, the City of Myrtle Beach set out to spread the word about safe walking and biking, as well as COVID-19 public health protocols. To do this, the City hosted a competition for local artists of all ages, inviting them to submit designs with a safety theme. They then selected 10 winning designs and added text with safety messages to them. With the state Department of Transportation's blessing, the designs became colorful, vinyl wraps for traffic utility boxes at intersections around town. Organizers say the project demonstrated the value of public art, with residents and business owners looking for ways to replicate the results in other neighborhoods.
Fullerton, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Low-income older adults in Fullerton lacked access to fitness resources. The project activated outdoor exercise equipment in four parks and offered twice-weekly training sessions to help participants feel confident using the gear. Instructors guided participants in setting wellness goals and managing chronic conditions. A community garden added fresh produce to the mix. An organizer noted that the project met its original goals, and future plans include expanding classes and adding garden plots near local centers.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Duluth, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Older adults in Duluth faced barriers to healthy food and social connection, especially in neighborhoods with few events and limited transit. To address this, the organization expanded its farmers markets by adding social zones with tables, games and art supplies, and completed two murals in areas lacking public art. Staff also took anti-age discrimination training and recruited older volunteers to lead activities. The project deepened engagement, improved food access and brightened community spaces. One visitor said, "The murals completely change the feeling of the park... really livens it up and matches the energy of the markets better."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Lexington, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Organizers with Seedleaf hoped to provide a more comfortable experience for the many older adults who maintain one of its free community gardens. To do this, Seedleaf provided ergonomic garden tools -- including shovels and trowels -- designed for people with arthritis to use. They also purchased portable, raised seats that gardeners can place alongside garden beds, as well as a foldable wagon to collect harvested vegetables and a shed to house the new tools. To provide a space for visitors to rest and socialize, the nonprofit worked with a local carpenter to build two sturdy, cedar benches.
Lexington, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: To give residents a comfortable space to hold a conversation, the Lexington Senior Center installed new accessible benches and raised planters in Idle Hour Park. Guided by a physical therapy student's research, which showed many people are uncomfortable twisting to converse with someone seated beside them, the benches sit in a U shape. This placement allows people to choose whether to sit next to or across from one another. Each seating area also includes extra space for a wheelchair user to join in.
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