Shreve, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Cracked and uneven sidewalks made walking unsafe near parks, the library and downtown, limiting mobility for older adults and families. The village organized walk audits with residents and shared findings at a community meeting. It then launched the Sidewalk Improvement Partnership Program, pairing homeowners with the village for repairs. The initiative sparked council involvement and set priorities for phased upgrades, creating a path toward safer, more walkable streets. As one volunteer noted, "I had never fully recognized the challenging experience it could be for elderly individuals, people with disabilities, or those with baby strollers."

Weston, WV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Walk audits will evaluate pedestrian safety conditions along two busy roads connecting a senior center with a commercial area. The commission will share findings at community meetings to advocate for walkability improvements.

Los Angeles, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Walk Audits

Description: Older adults in Little Tokyo faced cracked pavement, unsafe intersections and accessibility challenges that discouraged visits to this historic neighborhood. Keiro led two walk audits of 11 intersections before major community events, engaging volunteers and local leaders to identify hazards and advocate for improvements. The effort sparked dialogue with stakeholders and boosted confidence among older adults to return. One participant said the audits helped create "a more welcoming environment for seniors to come back and reconnect," reinforcing cultural ties and mobility.