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2-1-1 Big Bend (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Transportation barriers in Leon County left many older adults missing medical appointments and struggling with food insecurity. The project provided over 600 rides for people age 50-plus to health care, food pantries and essential services, improving access and reducing stress. Nearly half of the trips were for food, and others connected veterans to VA care. One rider said the program let her visit her church pantry safely and gave her a reliable transportation option.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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LaGrange, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: West Georgia Star addressed the lack of public transportation in LaGrange by providing shuttle rides for older adults to grocery stores and doctor visits. The project also installed a community garden and hosted activities like bingo to foster social engagement. Volunteers supported transportation and garden construction, creating opportunities for fellowship and reducing isolation. These efforts improved mobility and laid the groundwork for future health clinics and expanded services, helping residents stay connected and active in a rural community with limited transit options.
Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: UESF tackled transportation barriers for older adults in Philadelphia by providing SEPTA passes and ride-hailing trips to reach Oak Street Health centers for benefit applications and document retrieval. The program integrated transportation into mobile outreach, hosting workshops and distributing resources at multiple sites. These efforts helped older adults secure vital documents and prevent utility shutoffs, reducing housing instability. One participant shared that transportation assistance "helped achieve long-term stability and alleviated the stress of having a utility turned off," underscoring its role in promoting independence and security.
Des Moines, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Older adults in central Iowa faced isolation and missed appointments because they lacked affordable, on-demand transportation. The project funded over 800 rides through a call-center program that let riders book ride-hailing trips without a smartphone. Trips included medical visits, grocery runs and social outings, helping participants stay connected and independent. One rider shared, "it makes us very happy to see each other!" after using the service to visit a lifelong friend in a care facility.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Tallahassee, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: Following a year-long planning process, the City of Tallahassee constructed a linear park in its Greater Bond neighborhood. The park includes a walking trail stretching from Speed Spencer Stephens Park on the east side of the city to the St. Marks Trail to the west. Originally a drainage easement, the site once had an open ditch running through it. To ensure the new park's accessibility, the City installed a bench swing and a wheelchair-accessible drinking fountain with a water bottle filler. Designed as a community gathering space, project organizers hope the linear park acts as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.
Tallahassee, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: The Goodwood Museum and Gardens revitalized a historic roller rink, transforming it into a gathering space for outdoor activities. The rink -- originally built in 1916 -- sat vacant for years, but the Museum saw potential for the 10,000-square-foot site. Accessibility was a main goal for project organizers, so the Museum installed an ADA-compliant sidewalk, ramp and handrails. They also added lighting to increase safety at the site, levelled the rink's concrete surface, added landscaping and upgraded electrical wiring. These enhancements attracted community partners to the space, including the Irish Repertory Theater and the Southern Shakespeare Company. Today the site hosts a monthly live performance featuring local musicians, along with other community activities.
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