Beyond THe Bricks Senior Care Day!

Thanks to the incredible dedication and initiative of the Beyond The Bricks Youth team, seniors across the Carolinas have received much-needed support to help maintain their homes—starting with the spaces just outside their front doors. These young changemakers didn’t just dream about making a difference—they rolled up their sleeves, wrote compelling grant proposals, participated in interviews, secured funding, and turned those dollars into direct action for vulnerable older adults in our communities.

Their efforts focused on an often-overlooked aspect of senior home care: yard maintenance. While it may seem minor to some, a well-kept yard can make a world of difference to both the longevity of a home and the quality of life for its residents.

Why Yard Maintenance Matters for Seniors

Many seniors want to age in place—to remain in the homes and neighborhoods they’ve lived in for decades. But as mobility becomes limited, basic home upkeep, particularly outside the home, becomes more difficult to manage. Overgrown shrubs, clogged gutters, and unmanaged lawn areas can accelerate the physical decline of a property and present real health and safety risks.

That’s where Beyond The Bricks Youth stepped in.

Their grant-funded yard care initiatives went beyond beautification. Strategic yard upkeep can:

• Prevent home damage: Overgrown landscaping holds moisture, which can lead to mold, mildew, and wood rot.

• Deter pests: Long grass and debris provide hiding spots for rodents and insects.

• Reduce fall risk: Clean, trimmed yards minimize tripping hazards.

• Preserve dignity and safety: A tidy exterior fosters pride, improves curb appeal, and can reduce seniors’ risk of code violations or scams that target visibly distressed properties.

  

  

  

Youth-Led, Community-Focused

What makes this initiative even more remarkable is that it was youth-led from start to finish. These young leaders didn’t just volunteer—they engaged in every step of the process:

• Writing and submitting grant proposals

• Conducting interviews to secure funding

• Organizing teams and timelines for yard work

• Showing up consistently to mow lawns, trim hedges, rake leaves, and more

This is a powerful model for youth engagement. It goes beyond community service—it’s civic leadership, social entrepreneurship, and intergenerational support all rolled into one.

A Message of Thanks

To the Beyond The Bricks Youth team: Thank you for recognizing that taking care of our elders means taking care of the places they call home. Your vision, tenacity, and hard work are shining examples of what it means to lead with heart and purpose. Because of you, seniors across the Carolinas are safer, more comfortable, and feel seen and valued.

You didn’t just clean up yards—you planted seeds of community care that will grow for years to come. Thank you to Walmart, Karma for Cara, and The Carolina Youth Power Fund for your financial support for this Beyond The Bricks Youth initiative!