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Bethany Beach, DE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Bethany Beach Landowners Association set out to close gaps in disaster readiness for older adults in a coastal area prone to storms and evacuations. Planning was fragmented and many residents lacked clear steps for alerts, evacuation and essential documents. The association convened local leaders and ran hands-on workshops where participants enrolled in alert systems, learned Know Your Zone guidance and used checklists and calendars to plan. A central repository pushed life-saving tips to thousands and spurred new community emergency response teams. The town added a Storm Ready page and leaders pledged ongoing updates to keep preparedness front and center. Participants reported immediate action, and praised the success of the program. The project turned guidance into concrete steps that support safer decisions when the next storm threatens.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Leonia, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Four preparedness workshops will be held for older adults, covering fire, police, health and weather emergencies. The sessions will teach safety steps and provide go-bags, helping vulnerable participants prepare for local emergencies.
South Zanesville, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Disaster Preparedness
Description: Two training sessions at the fire department will cover fire safety and disaster preparedness for older adults in the village. Participants will receive kits that support safer emergency response at home.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Baltimore, MD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Bringing resident insight and volunteer power into local government
Description: Organizers with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service hoped to help Baltimore's older adults advocate for their housing, health and consumer needs. To do this, they hosted a series of trainings for older adults. The meetings allowed participants to share their lived experiences and strategize about how to achieve their advocacy goals and reach policymakers. Equipped with new skills, the residents then took part in a public hearing, testified before the Baltimore City Council and submitted public comments to proposed regulations. Through this engagement, raining participants made their voices heard on water affordability, reverse mortgages, tax sales and other issues.
Baltimore, MD
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Developing projects based on residents' priorities
Description: As part of a smart cities initiative, the Office of Information and Technology developed an online tool to allow residents and businesses to access city services, such as applying for government services and paying taxes. Project organizers hope the tool will help city residents have an efficient experience when they engage with local government functions.
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