2024
The Ask
Grovewood Community Development, a mission-driven affordable housing developer in South Metro Denver, engaged Aging Dynamics to conduct extensive community engagement for a two-phase modest income housing development project in Aurora, Colorado and to build their staff capacity for ongoing community engagement. They prioritized incorporating diverse community voices into the design and implementation of various community elements, such as nature spaces, playgrounds, and a community resource center.
Our Approach
Aging Dynamics conducted a comprehensive community scan to identify potential community partners, reviewed existing community data, and conducted interviews with potential community partners. We developed and distributed a survey to assess community interests in amenities and programs, ensuring accessibility in multiple formats and languages. Additionally, we facilitated focus groups and participated in community events to gather deeper insights. Every aspect of the community engagement was designed to prioritize accessibility and inclusion including various practices such as: providing stipends for engagement, offering all materials and focus groups in multiple languages, child and adult care offered during focus groups, partnering with community organizations for recruitment and hosting with additional stipends provided to community organizations and more.
Our Deliverables
-
Prepared and conducted interviews with up to 15 community stakeholders.
-
Prepared, distributed, and analyzed a community survey
-
Planned and facilitated five (5) focus groups
-
Created a graphically formatted report of findings
2025–2026
Following the opening of Sapling Grove, Grovewood Community Development has re-engaged Aging Dynamics to continue partnering on the development of the on-site community resource center. This next phase focuses on designing and shaping the center’s health and wellness components to reduce barriers to care and ensure services are accessible, community-informed, and responsive to resident needs.
Our work will also include:
-
Identifying partner organizations to provide services and programs
-
Developing partnership agreements and an operations handbook to support the center’s long-term success
-
Planning the community resource center’s opening