Bainbridge Island, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: This pilot project aims to help older adults travel events at the local senior center, as well as shopping trips, medical appointments and cultural activities. Over a 12-week period, the senior center worked with volunteer and contracted drivers to provide transportation on weekdays. The center deployed its passenger bus, as well as a transit van and personal vehicles, to provide on-demand rides. Organizers say lessons learned during the pilot will inform plans for a permanent transportation program.

Port Orchard, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility

Description: The Homes for All village is a tiny home community, which offers transitional and temporary housing for Port Orchard's unhoused residents. However, the community lacked communal space. To fill this gap, the County set out to designed and build an indoor gathering space. Kitsap County Commissioners received a donated 32-foot trailer, which they converted into a community kitchen for food prep and distribution. Volunteers worked to convert the trailer, adding an electric range, oven, microwave, sinks and refrigerators. The new space includes an adjacent room for dining, community meetings and group activities. Project organizers say the space helps residents build relationships with one another.