Brookhaven, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities

Description: Immigrant communities along Buford Highway face barriers like language isolation and limited access, leaving older adults disconnected from resources and cultural engagement. To address this, the project installed a painted newsstand as a permanent hub for multilingual newsletters and hosted an open-street event with story-sharing and health services. The event gathered 41 new stories and provided screenings, vaccines and essentials to hundreds of families. The initiative created a lasting platform for cultural storytelling and trust-building. A project organizer noted that the project inspired a mother and daughter to share touching stories and helped open an emotional conversation about their hopes for the future.

Dalton, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: This project contributed to the City of Dalton Housing Authority's larger efforts to renovate its properties. The Authority hoped to give public housing residents more access to outdoor gathering spaces, so it installed picnic tables in several locations. To increase accessibility, organizers also provided ramps to residents unable to climb stairs. Finally, the Authority updated its laundry rooms. Project organizers say the improvements give residents updated, clean and safe areas to interact with each other, which helps combat social isolation and depression.