Challenges, outcomes and lessons learned from different community-engaged research projects will be discussed, including: community science to evaluate drinking water in rural communities impacted by corroding systems, and in well-reliant communities after floods; project-based education to assess and communicate air quality impacts of an elevated highway; and community based participatory research to assess air quality in a hurricane-impacted fenceline community. Challenges faced included: community distrust; recruitment obstacles; research misinterpretation; data release restrictions; disruptions due to natural disasters; inherent limitations in community-collected data; political impediments; community dissension; and funding constraints. Solutions to overcoming challenges included: strategic partnerships with students, advocates and media to facilitate communication and prompt response; community-requested monitoring to increase recruitment; community-led data sharing and government engagement; community training on acquiring and leveraging data, and on low-cost, evidence-based interventions; monitoring equipment loan program; tactical urbanism and social networking campaigns; deliberative engagement; independent research to establish cause-effect linkages; and leveraging other civic and legal strategies such as Title VI Complaints and Historical Land Use Designations. Outcomes included: an emergency declaration and repairs to water systems; revisions to government protocols; audits of, and lawsuits against, government agencies; funding for government and community partners; informed and empowered community stakeholders; and school and facility closures. This presentation highlights how community-research partnerships can support community-led investigations of pollution sources; in-power community-led collective action; inform development of more culturally appropriate interventions and policies; and elevate the relevance and social impacts of science.