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New York City, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: In Southeast Queens, many older adults face a digital divide that limits access to health care and social connection. Forestdales Baby Genius program paired older adults with tech-savvy youth for hands-on training, teaching skills like texting, email attachments and app downloads. Ten youth tutors worked with 50 older adults in one-on-one sessions, while workshops and events reached more than 700 participants. The program reduced isolation and built confidence, enabling older adults to use telehealth and connect with family. One participant said learning to video chat with her daughter using her phone was "life-changing," and demand for more sessions continues to grow.
Houston, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: Older adults in Houston's low-income apartments lacked devices and digital skills, limiting access to telehealth and social engagement. UHD distributed 99 tablets and hosted seven training events where students taught the participants to navigate apps, protect against scams and use tools for health and communication. Residents now use tablets for essential tasks and social activities, reducing isolation and improving access to care. The program also fostered intergenerational connections and plans ongoing tutorials to sustain impact.
Bell County, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: In rural Kentucky, older adults lacked internet access, leaving them unable to apply for benefits or use telehealth. The mission installed high-speed internet at the center, and added computers, tablets and printers. It also launched Seniors4Seniors classes where high school students taught digital skills. Weekly workshops covered email setup and benefit access. The participants now use tablets to accept electronic payments at farmers markets, boosting income and food access. "I was able to sell my organic produce at the Farmers Market this summer because of the...tablet I was able to borrow and the digital literacy training I received," said one participant.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Matthews, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public art installations
Description: Crestdale, an historic community in Matthews, lacked public art and safe pedestrian connections. A section of the Matthews Heritage Trail ran along a road without sidewalks, creating safety concerns and limiting trail continuity. To address this, the town installed a colorful mural on the advisory shoulder to mark the trail and improve visibility. Residents joined a community event to help paint the mural, and plans include adding a bench for resting along the route. The mural makes the trail easier to navigate, draws attention to Crestdale's history and encourages more people to explore the area.
Hartsville, SC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: This project will transform a vacant event space into an indoor farmers market with renovated restrooms, vendor booths, and ample lighting. It will provide a safe, accessible, and comfortable environment for community events.
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