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Committee for a Better New Orleans (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Public or private transit access
└ Public or private transit access
This project will engage local older adults to ensure their needs are considered in efforts to redesign several bus shelters across the city. The Committee seeks to make public transit accessible, safe, comfortable and climate-resilient for people of all ages.
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Abingdon, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Older adults struggled to access the Coomes Recreation Center because accessible parking was 340 feet from the entrance and few knew how to use local transit. The project moved seven accessible spaces closer to the door, added ADA upgrades and clear signage, and worked with the local public transit provider to make the center a regular bus stop. It also produced educational videos and held training sessions to teach people how to navigate public transit. These changes improved safety and independence. One participant said closer parking now lets him drive himself to therapy, a shift that underscores the project's impact.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Denver, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Older adults in Denver struggle with transportation and resource navigation, limiting independence and increasing isolation. DRMAC addressed this by expanding its Getting There Travel Training program, offering bilingual sessions and guided bus trips to teach trip planning, ticketing and mobility apps. Surveys showed that many participants felt more confident using public transit. The effort strengthened trust in marginalized communities and improved access to daily needs. One participant said that as a result of the help provided by the program, he is excited to now be able to attend spirit-lifting activities.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Perry, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Older adults and some families in Perry faced major transportation barriers, limiting access to health care and jobs. HIRTA launched FlexConnect, a flexible bus route supported by ADA-compliant benches, signage and bilingual outreach. Free passes encouraged ridership, which has already grown by 10%. Surveys will track health impacts, and the service is expected to reduce isolation and promote independence. One community member said that this project will open up "a world of possibilities for people who live here."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
New Orleans, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Disaster Resilience Other
Description: The organization will prepare and deliver 150 hurricane readiness boxes with food, water and essential supplies. These kits will help older adults stay safer at home before, during and after severe storms.
New Orleans, LA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: A neighborhood playground in Musicians Village had fallen into disrepair, leaving older adults and families without a safe space to gather. Volunteers replaced damaged equipment and added two new play structures. They also installed an accessible picnic table and built a new fence to restore safety and appeal. Monthly cleanups removed hazards like broken glass, and community events drew residents back to the park. The upgrades transformed the site into a welcoming space for multigenerational activity. This prompted additional city funding for future improvements, signaling long-term investment in neighborhood livability.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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