Brevard, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: After Hurricane Helene, many residents, including older adults, continued to experience emotional strain while also recognizing how unprepared they had been for the disaster. Recovery efforts largely focused on physical damage, leaving fewer opportunities to address grief, anniversary reactions and survivor guilt. City of Brevard hosted in-person workshops that combined hands-on disaster preparedness with guided conversations about emotional recovery. Participants received starter emergency kits and clear checklists while learning how emotional health connects to preparedness. A documentary film captured local voices and lessons from the storm, extending the reach of the workshops. Many participants reported plans to assemble go-bags and organize documents, and the film is now being reused as a training resource to support longer-term community resilience.

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

Perry, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Taylor County Emergency Management focused on a rural community where many residents age 50 and over with special needs were not clearly identified in emergency plans. That gap increased the risk that vulnerable people could be missed during evacuations or sheltering. The agency created a special needs registry and paired it with targeted outreach through community events, visits to local gathering places and local media. Residents received clear guidance on preparedness, registration and available support, along with printed checklists and planning materials. Partnerships with emergency services, health providers and nonprofits improved coordination. The registry grew by more than 30%, giving responders clearer insight into who may need help and when. The effort strengthened readiness and helped older adults feel more secure knowing they are visible in local emergency response plans.

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

Appleton, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Friends of the Appleton Fire Department focused on preparedness gaps among older adults living in assisted living communities, where many residents lacked clear guidance and basic supplies to manage everyday emergencies or larger disasters. Fire Department and Emergency Management staff led on-site preparedness sessions that broke complex topics into practical steps and invited residents to ask questions. The project also distributed disaster preparedness kits designed to support both daily safety needs and emergency response. Participants reported that the information was new, easier to act on than past handouts and reduced anxiety by making planning feel manageable. Several residents sought follow-up guidance on evacuation routes and kit items, signaling increased readiness. Strong engagement led to requests for additional presentations, positioning the project as a foundation for broader community preparedness outreach.

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