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City of La Crosse Planning Department (2021) Print

star-24px 2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee

Project Category

Public places
└ Accessibility of amenities
Cia Siab -- a nonprofit serving the local Hmoob community -- wanted to ensure its community center was accessible to people of all ages and abilities. But the stairs at the building's entrance posed a challenge to community elders who use wheelchairs, scooters or other mobility devices. To fix this, the City of La Crosse installed two ramps. The center offers programming to the community, including Hmoob language camp, women's circle and elders program. Access to the site is especially important for Hmong elders, who often struggle with depression, PTSD and social isolation due to their experiences of war, displacement and loss. Since installing the ramps, the City has looked for other community spaces that would benefit from accessibility upgrades.

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Claremont Opera House (2024)

Claremont, NH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: This project will add new accessible seating areas to the Opera House to make arts and culture programming inclusive for people of all ages and abilities. Existing accessible seating is located at the rear of the theater, resulting in poor sight lines.

Emmett Public Library (2022)

Emmett, ID

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: This project installed a digital locker system outside the library so patrons can pick up and drop off materials when the building is closed.

Hazen Public Library (2022)

Hazen, ND

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Accessibility of amenities

Description: This project installed two chairlifts at the library, making the basement, where there is a meeting room, more accessible.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

City of La Crosse (2024)

La Crosse, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions

Description: This project will launch an accessory dwelling unit design competition to promote affordable residential development, with a focus on older adults' housing needs. Winning designs will serve as models for ADU construction, expediting the approval process for homeowners.

City of La Crosse Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department (2023)

La Crosse, WI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement

Description: This project will revitalize a frequently used route and make it more accessible to residents aged 50 by adding improvements such as a new crosswalk with art, a covered bus shelter and seats, light posts with decorative banners and other amenities.

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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