Fourteen-year-old Charlie McGinnis has been a Boy Scout since fifth grade, but his Eagle Scout project at Juliette Fowler Communities (JFC) gave him the opportunity to take on something new: leading a team and creating something that would make a difference for older adults.
A freshman at St. Mark’s, Charlie chose Fowler for his project after helping his older brother, James, complete his own Eagle Scout project there in 2024. James built a pergola with a table and chairs, creating a shady place for residents to gather. Charlie enjoyed spending time with the residents while helping his brother, and when it was time to choose his own project, he knew he wanted to return to Fowler.
Fowler staff told Charlie that residents often have difficulty meeting their shared-ride drivers. Because the campus is so large, drivers have trouble locating residents at pickup. A designated shared-ride station would provide an exact pickup location as well as a comfortable, shaded place for residents to wait.
Charlie immediately saw an opportunity to help. He decided to take on the challenge of designing and building a covered waiting station, complete with a bench, to make shared rides more convenient for Fowler residents.
Charlie worked with his grandfather Paul Sill, who enjoys woodworking, to design the structure after researching different designs and kits. His grandparents, Kathy and Paul Sill, his dad, Jim, as well as additional family members and friends helped, along with fellow scouts from Troop 82.
“The hardest part was the planning and design,” Charlie said. “You want to get it right before you get there.”
The construction took place in stages, beginning with Charlie, his brother, his dad and his grandfather putting up the main posts at the end of August. The scouts worked over Labor Day weekend to complete the structure, adding a roof and a bench. They will come back later to paint the station.
For Charlie, the best parts of the experience were seeing the project come together and spending time with the Fowler residents.
“What excited me the most was leading a team,” he said. “I haven’t completed such a large project before, and it’s exciting to see the payoff. I also love meeting the residents.”
“And, I loved working with my grandfather on the design,” he added.
Charlie’s connection to older adults is personal. He says he loves his grandparents and enjoyed getting to know some of the Fowler residents while working on his brother’s project.
His father, Jim, also has a special appreciation for Fowler. His own father, Charlie’s grandfather Charles McGinnis, for whom he is named, is 98 and lives in a continuing-care community in Virginia.
“It’s wonderful to see both of my sons complete their Eagle Scout projects at Juliette Fowler Communities,” Jim said. “I appreciate what Fowler does, giving older adults a wonderful place to live and thrive.”
Charlie knew from the beginning that even the best plans can run into problems. The team broke a bit while attaching brackets to the concrete and had to redo bolts after mismeasuring some beams. “It pays to have good tools, and you have to be patient when things need to be redone,” he said.
“I am so glad to have a safe place to sit and wait for my driver,” said Bob Trochta, a resident at JFC. “Now I will not have to find my driver! They will be able to find me. I will definitely be using it.”
The completed shared-ride station now gives Fowler residents a shaded, designated place to wait for rides, and Charlie has gained something just as valuable: experience leading others, solving problems and making a difference in a community he has come to care about.
“Even if we aren’t waiting for a ride, we can come sit in the shade and watch games at the park,” said Paul Provost, a resident at JFC. “We have enjoyed watching the scouts build this and look forward to using it.”
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ABOUT JULIETTE FOWLER COMMUNITIES
With a 134-year history of caring for all ages, Fowler's intergenerational mission creates a unique purpose-driven retirement culture in the heart of Dallas. Home to almost 500 older adults, JFC hosts the Dementia Friendly Dallas initiative and is accredited as a Connected Community of Distinction through Hopeful Aging, embracing the I’m Still Here® philosophy – reflecting its commitment to compassionate, high-quality dementia care. Young women in danger of homelessness live at Fowler in the Ebby House residential program, and over 700 children, youth and families receive resources through Fowler's Children, Youth, and Family Services. Fowler is adding a Bezos Academy affordable Montessori program for young children in the fall 2026. Since 2022, JFC has been honored as a Generations United Program of Distinction and has continued to maintain this designation each year. As the premier national recognition for high-quality intergenerational programs, the distinction recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence, innovation, and evidence-based impact in bringing generations together. Visit fowlercommunities.org or call 214.827.0813.
