Oxnard, CA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: Many bus stops in Oxnard lacked seating and lighting leaving older riders and those with mobility challenges waiting in discomfort and unsafe conditions, especially at night. The district installed benches at 10 stops and added solar lighting at four locations, improving visibility and security. Outreach included a pop-up event near local housing for older adults and free ride passes to promote the upgrades. The improvements are already in use and signal a broader commitment to accessible transit, paving the way for future investments in safer, more comfortable pedestrian infrastructure.

La Union, NM

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: Although La Union's community center campus offered plenty of outdoor space, the space sat largely unused. So La Union Helping Hands set out to activate the area. Volunteers installed a benches and a gazebo for shade onsite. They also added seating and shelter to the nearby bus stop. This allows visitors -- including older adults -- to wait comfortably for the bus. Organizers hope the enhancements foster a vibrant space where residents can connect with each other, instilling a sense of community. Spurred by the project's success, La Union Helping Hands now plans to revamp landscaping, plant a community garden, install even more seating, and improve sidewalks at the community center.

New Orleans, LA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: 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.