Black Empowerment & Community Council (2025) Print

star-24px 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee

Project Category

Digital Connections
└ Digital navigation skills
Many older adults had difficulty accessing food, digital tools and emergency information, especially when transportation or stable housing was limited. These gaps increased isolation and made it harder to stay safe during hurricanes and other disruptions. The Black Empowerment & Community Council responded by converting a minivan into a mobile resource hub that delivered services directly into neighborhoods. Through outreach stops, staff provided meals and food supplies, computer literacy help, laptops and hurricane preparedness resources. Older adults also received one-on-one navigation to connect with housing, benefits and local services. One unhoused older adult shared that receiving meals and preparedness supplies on site increased their sense of safety during hurricane season. By bringing support to where people were, the project reduced access barriers and helped residents remain safer and more connected.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

See More Projects Like This One

Montbello Organizing Committee (2025)

Denver, CO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Digital navigation skills

Description: Many older adults in Montbello lacked digital skills needed to access online services and stay connected. The committee expanded its training center and delivered an eight-week program that taught computer basics, file management, word processing, spreadsheets, email and digital safety. They added five computers and integrated skills into other programs. Participants reported greater confidence and independence. One participant said that she had always feared "breaking the computer", but now uses it comfortably to manage essential tasks.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Helping Seniors of Brevard (2026)

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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Digital navigation skills

Description: A technology library and classroom will be fully equipped in an existing facility used by older adults. Ongoing classes will help participants use digital tools to manage daily tasks and services.

Cornerstone United Methodist Church (2026)

New Orleans, LA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Digital navigation skills

Description: The church will set up a solar powered computer hub offering peer led training, telehealth support and basic artificial intelligence learning. Reliable access will help older adults build skills and receive help during outages.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

St. Cloud Main Street (2026)

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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

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IDEAS For Us (2021)

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AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

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ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

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