The Towers Foundation Inc

FUELING SENIORS: MEAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH CO-GENERATION PROJECT

DESCRIPTION:THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARP FUNDED GRANT AGREEMENT IS TO USE THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) GRANT FUNDING TO CREATE A FUNCTIONING COMMUNITY GARDEN FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS, NEIGHBORS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT BY THE TOWERS FOUNDATION. THE PRODUCTIVE GREEN SPACE WILL INCLUDE A COMMUNITY GARDEN AND TEACHING SPACE FOR TOWERS' LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZEN RESIDENTS. THE GREEN SPACE WILL IMPROVE AIR QUALITY AND REDUCE THE NEED FOR BUSES TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE TO THE GROCERY STORE FOR FRESH PRODUCE. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO IMPROVE LOCAL RESIDENT AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONDITIONS RELATED TO LOCAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY. THIS PROJECT CAN BE FUNDED UNDER SECTION 103(B) OF THE CLEAN AIR ACT (CAA). THE TOWERS FOUNDATION IS THE SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION TO THE TOWERS AT TOWER LANE, THE MAIN HOME FOR GREATER NEW HAVEN'S LOW INCOME ELDERLY AND MINORITY POPULATION SERVICING OVER 300 LOW INCOME, DIVERSE SENIORS. THE TOWERS IS SURROUNDED BY I-95 AND I-91 PUTTING IT IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TRAFFIC AND THE PROJECT'S OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL AND NUTRITIONAL ASSETS THAT WILL LEAD TO HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE AND STRONGER COMMUNITY HEALTH. CAA 103(B)(3): PEOPLE WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE OR UNCONTROLLED ASTHMA ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE HOSPITALIZED FROM COVID-19. AIR POLLUTION MAY CONTRIBUTE TO ASTHMA. BY ADDRESSING AIR POLLUTION IN CAA 103(B)(3) PROJECTS, THE CHANCES OF SEVERE ILLNESS FROM COVID-19 ARE REDUCED. ACTIVITIES:ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED INCLUDE: ASSEMBLE A TASK FORCE OF 12 RESIDENTS, PLAN AND DESIGN A NEW GREEN SPACE WITH GARDEN AND LEARNING SPACES, CREATE SIX RAISED BEDS, GENERATE LOCAL GARDEN PRODUCE, REACH OVER 300 RESIDENTS TO RAISE AWARENESS ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES INCLUDING BENEFITS OF GREEN SPACE AND SELECTING HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN AMBIENT AIR QUALITY. THE PROJECT WILL TRACK THE AMOUNT OF HARVEST PRODUCED, GREEN SPACE INCREASED AND CONDUCT FOUR EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THIS PROJECT WILL BE AN INCREASED QUALITY OF LIFE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH THROUGH: 1. IMPROVED AIR QUALITY AND GREEN SPACE FROM ADDED TREES, PLANTS, AND SHADE; 2. REDUCED FOOD INSECURITY RESULTING FROM THE INCREASE OF LOCAL, HEALTHY PRODUCE; 3. INCREASED NUTRITIONAL HEALTH FROM CONSUMING LOCAL FRESH PRODUCE THROUGH NEW GARDENS; 4. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES INCLUDING AMBIENT AIR QUALITY; AND 5. EXPANDED SOCIALIZATION AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS. INTENDED AND DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROGRAM INCLUDE LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS, NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS IN NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.