San Leandro, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities

Description: The City of San Leandro hosted a design charrette to engage residents -- including students and older adults -- in the planning process for a school gardening space. Historically, teachers and students interested in improving the space had difficulty connecting with community groups. The design workshop addressed this, bringing together local schools with Friends of the San Leandro Cree, StopWaste, and the Sogorea Te Land Trust, a local indigenous group. Participants brainstormed options to create an ADA-compliant outdoor education lab where residents can learn about gardening and the San Leandro Creek ecosystem. Ultimately, project organizers adapted curriculum developed during the charrette in the design for a second garden site at San Leandro High School. Organizers say the gardening sites will provide hands-on experiences for students and community members to engage in watershed ecology, gardening and indigenous history.

Santa Rosa, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: This project will provide 10 Farm-acy Carts that will deliver food to low-income senior housing communities and medical facilities. Older adults will be able to take home top-quality, fresh, immunity-boosting, nutritious and locally grown produce at no cost.