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Juneau, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Uneven terrain kept visitors with mobility challenges from exploring the public garden, limiting older adults' access to nature and scenic views. The group built an ADA-compliant path of precast pavers leading to a bench overlooking the gardens and ocean. They also added wide steps to manage slope. Volunteers landscaped adjoining beds, and a ribbon-cutting drew 75 guests, including wheelchair and walker users. The path is a permanent improvement that opens the arboretum to residents and strengthens community ties. One guest said, "To have the arboretum now be a place which I can easily access in my wheelchair and feel truly welcome is a wonderful gift."

Lane County, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: Vida McKenzie Community Center rebuilt its role as a community hub by installing an advanced AV system with a Hearing Loop. This upgrade removed barriers for residents with hearing loss, allowing older adults to fully participate in events like concerts, workshops and social gatherings. Public classes will teach users how to connect their hearing aids to the system, ensuring long-term accessibility. One attendee shared, "The sound quality in the new Vida McKenzie Community System is amazing. It made it possible for me to fully engage in last Saturday's workshop."

Reno, NV

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: This project will provide an electric off-road wheelchair at Rosewood Nature Study Area, providing free access to nature trails for people with mobility challenges, especially those age 50 and over.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Minneapolis, MN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing

Description: Minneapolis faces a housing affordability crisis, leaving older adults and others with few options. Mill City Church launched IMBY to showcase accessory dwelling units as a solution, hosting two demonstration events, furnishing a model unit for immersive experiences and producing a short documentary. The effort raised awareness and mobilized advocates to consider ADUs for housing diversity. "We didn't really think about our backyard in terms of being a potential solution... but now we're considering building an ADU and being a part of the solution," said one participant.

Minneapolis, MN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: This project will conduct six sessions to prepare for summer storms and flooding. Informational magnets, checklists, and supplies will be distributed. Somali interpretation will be provided.

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Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55104
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