Salt Lake City, UT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: Salt Lake City's Taylorsville neighborhood is home to refugee families from Syria, Myanmar and Afghanistan. Many new residents, however, struggle with social isolation. To help people feel connected, Salt Lake County created a community garden at the local senior center. Volunteers built four raised beds and the County provided ergonomic gardening equipment, seeds and starter plants. Project organizers say the opportunity to garden gives older adults -- who were often farmers and ranchers in their native countries -- a renewed sense of purpose. Gardening also allows them to form relationships with their neighbors.

Freeport, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities

Description: Older adults can often feel underappreciated. The Town of Freeport wanted to change through a unique event designed to honor its older residents. The Town invited local families to go up in hot air balloons over the town -- something project organizers describe as an experience one will never forget. Thanks to donations from a local business, the Town was able to offset the cost of tickets, making this an activity in which everyone could participate, regardless of age, income or ability.

Hopkinton, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Walkability

Description: This project will conduct three walk audits to identify potential locations for sidewalk and crosswalk improvements, while bringing awareness to the social and health benefits of walkability.