See More Projects Like This One

Heber Springs, AR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: An aging HVAC system threatened the kitchen's ability to provide a safe, comfortable space for older adults who rely on free meals. The project installed a new 5-ton unit, ensuring reliable heating and cooling and positioning the dining room to serve as a warming and cooling center during extreme weather. This upgrade supports the largest free meal site in Cleburne County, which serves thousands annually. Plans to use the space as a winter refuge will offer critical relief for vulnerable older adults, helping them stay safe and connected during severe conditions.

New Castle County, DE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, staff at the Latin American Community Center knew they needed to begin outreach efforts to ensure that New Castle's Latino communities received information about staying safe. "Most of our community are essential workers, so it has affected us greatly," said Alicia Dominguez, community engagement coordinator for the ConneXiones initiative. "We have clients who are positive in COVID and aren't able to work." The Center conducted a community assessment and developed an action plan. They then held pop-up testing sites and vaccination events, which reached many residents. In addition, LACC supported programs to connect residents to food assistance and rent or mortgage relief.

Lincoln County, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Addressing community health

Description: When the Lincoln County Youth Center opened in 2021, children would run laps around the building's wide, circular hallway. To allow visitors to exercise, the Lincoln County Youth Commission created an indoor fitness track in the hall. With the track, the Lincoln County Youth Commission hoped to make the Center a welcoming space for residents of all ages. The rural community lacks sidewalks, making walking outdoors difficult for the community's older adults. The Lincoln Loop is ADA-accessible and offers a climate-controlled environment for people to exercise all year round. The path also includes stations where people can perform stretches and warm-up exercises.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Augusta, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: Organizers with the Augusta Recreation and Parks Department noticed people were driving their vehicles into Henry H. Brigham Park, making park users feel unsafe. This project set out to prevent this, keeping a walking track, basketball court and playground area free from cars and trucks. The Department installed bollards, as well as benches -- which served the dual purpose of giving park patrons a place to rest. Additionally, organizers planted shade trees to make the park more appealing in the summer heat. To draw visitors, the Department also worked to increase recreational programming in the park, including Tai Chi classes.

Augusta, GA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: Augusta's limited transit options leave older adults with few safe ways to reach essential services. Move Augusta addressed this by hosting a Senior Bicycle Safety Rodeo and training 23 participants in bike and pedestrian safety. It donated 10 three-wheeled tricycles with helmets and locks to adult centers and other community facilities. The event connected 20 local agencies and volunteers to support older adults and sparked plans for a ride-share program. "Seeing the younger volunteers interact with the older participants was a blessing and a joy to watch," said an organizer. These efforts are helping older residents travel safely for groceries, medical appointments and recreation.

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages

people icon

Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities

download icon

Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter

mail icon

Don't see your community listed?

LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORK

Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP South Carolina State Office

1201 Main Street
Suite 1720
Columbia, SC 29201
United States

Phone: 866-389-5655
Fax: 803-251-4379
Email: [email protected]