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South Charleston, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital Connectivity for Disasters
Description: Frequent disasters left older adults in West Virginia without reliable power or digital skills to access emergency resources. Heart+Hand equipped more than 300 residents with 72-hour emergency buckets and solar chargers to keep phones and medical devices powered during outages. Over 200 older adults learned to use tablets to find critical relief information, and tablets purchased for classes will sustain training long term. These efforts reduced anxiety, improved resilience and fostered community support through volunteer engagement.
Eugene, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital Connectivity for Disasters
Description: Frequent power outages in Eugene left older adults without reliable communication during emergencies, creating safety risks and isolation. The council installed two permanent emergency Wi-Fi hubs and a mobile unit, distributed 50 solar or rechargeable power packs and educated residents on using these resources. These improvements strengthened disaster preparedness and digital connectivity, ensuring access to vital information and contact with loved ones. Residents reported feeling safer and more connected, with plans to replicate the program citywide. One participant said, "We can send messages and let our children know how we are doing."
Hauula, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital Connectivity for Disasters
Description: Older adults in rural coastal communities faced high disaster risk and limited ways to communicate during emergencies. The project installed Starlink satellite systems and solar-powered generators at key sites, hosted emergency prep workshops and adapted CERT training for older adults. Participants received To Go Bags and learned to create emergency plans, while weekly tech classes boosted digital literacy. Participants said a hurricane video was "the most powerful...they learned so much," and many now share skills with family, helping them feel safer and more connected during disasters.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Northport, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Pedestrian Safety
Description: This project will improve pedestrian crossings at Rice Mine Road to complete a shared use pathway with community input. Improvements include flashing beacons and new striping.
Aliceville, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Access to high-speed internet
Description: Residents relied on an aging computer lab because many homes lacked internet, leaving older adults disconnected from essential services and job opportunities. The library upgraded its lab with 18 new computers, added three circulation desk systems and a laptop for presentations. They also scheduled classes tailored for older adults. The improvements enabled job fairs and streamlined service, while helping patrons gain confidence online. One older adult said she was thrilled to email friends and access social media, a change that strengthened her connection to family and community.
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