Houston, TX

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Digital Connectivity Disaster Response

Description: Wesley Community Center addressed a critical gap in disaster preparedness for older adults who lacked reliable access to technology, power and digital skills during emergencies. Power outages and limited connectivity made it harder to communicate, find information and complete essential tasks. The project created a computer lab for older adults and delivered hands-on workshops that built digital skills alongside disaster readiness. The program included how to save documents, access assistance and use devices during outages. Wesley also installed permanent charging infrastructure, including solar-powered and indoor charging stations. One participant said the charger would be especially helpful "during emergencies, power outages or situations where access to electricity is limited," strengthening confidence and reinforcing Wesley's role as a trusted disaster resource.

Houston, TX

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: Many residents of Houston's Gulfton neighborhood do not own cars, making walking, cycling and public transit use common in the area -- one of the most diverse in the city. But street infrastructure didn't exist to protect cyclists from street traffic. To demonstrate the value of streetscape improvements, the City set up a pop-up bike lane on Westward Street near a local elementary school. First, the City developed a pop-up toolkit, consisting of chalk, paint, stencils and traffic cones. They then used these to create bike lanes on both sides of the street, with plans to conduct more low-cost, temporary pop-ups in the future. During the Westward Street demonstration, the City conducted a survey of residents. Following the success of the temporary bike lanes, the City broke ground on a permanent street redesign project nearby. Planners expect permanent protected bike lanes to be installed along the stretch where the demonstration took place.