Columbus, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Engaging residents alongside thought leaders in problem solving

Description: Central Ohio is home to a large Bhutanese migrant population. This project engaged women from this community, who often face linguistic isolation, economic barriers and mental health struggles. To help them gain independence and integrate into the community, the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio held weekly classes and educational field trips. Participants learned how to access community resources -- including libraries, parks and museums. To help them get around, they also gained familiarity with the local public transportation system. "We have a place for us, like our birthplace in Bhutan," one participant shared. "We thank BCCO for this opportunity. We enjoyed it a lot. We would love to have this kind of program in future."

Columbus, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Public place improvements to withstand extreme weather events

Description: To reduce the urban heat island effect, Friends of the lower Olentangy Watershed planted large canopy trees at an elementary school playground and near a housing complex. The area has traditionally lacked tree cover, with the nearby properties having the least canopy cover of any residential area in the local watershed. The new trees increased the local canopy from 7 percent to 22 percent -- the average for Columbus as a whole. Volunteers -- including local Scouts -- helped plant the trees. In addition, project organizers installed benches at the playground to provide a respite to teachers, children and families using the playground equipment.