Evansville, IN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Disaster preparedness training will equip older adult volunteers with practical emergency response skills. Participants will be better prepared to protect themselves and assist others during local emergencies.

Pittsfield, MA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: The City of Pittsfield Senior Center focused on helping older adults prepare for severe weather and power outages when many residents lacked clear emergency plans. The center delivered interactive preparedness workshops that paired practical guidance with personalized planning and starter emergency supply kits, reaching residents in housing communities, nursing homes and other local gathering spaces. The effort emphasized collaboration with local agencies to ensure information was accurate and accessible. The project strengthened community relationships and positioned the Senior Center as a trusted hub for emergency readiness. A key outcome was a formal evacuation partnership that designated the center as an evacuation site. One staff member said the work helped the center step beyond its walls and better support residents before the next emergency.

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

Glenwood, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Glenwood faced rising wildfire threats that left many older adults unsure how to evacuate or prepare their homes, a serious concern in a rural area with limited resources. Mt. Adams Resource Stewards held a "Wildfire Town Hall" where residents signed up for emergency alerts, learned home hardening steps and asked questions of the fire chief. They also created a durable preparedness brochure featuring an evacuation map, a kit checklist and local support links, placing it in high-traffic spots for ongoing access. The brochure's wide distribution and the Town Hall conversations are expected to prompt more residents to take practical steps that strengthen local readiness, and the group plans follow-up events to sustain momentum.

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