Gary, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: Residents of Genesis Towers -- an affordable housing complex for older adults -- often congregated in a vacant lot in Gary's downtown. This project set out to activate the lot into an accessible gathering space. Local students worked to gather input from residents about their hopes for the new park, and the City held design workshops. Plans for the space featured ADA-accessible walkways, seating, picnic tables and raised garden beds. Organizers also worked to provide free Wi-Fi access in the space, as well as a bike repair station. Organizers say the park is designed to host free or low-cost events -- part of the overarching goal of combatting social isolation through innovative public spaces.

Gary, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: HomeFit Modifications

Description: This project will provide rug rippers and copies of the AARP HomeFit Guide to people with chronic medical conditions who participate in the All Food is Medicine meal distribution service. The organization will hold weekly sessions to review the guide.