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District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Community Resilience
└ Emergency preparedness skills
└ Emergency preparedness skills
Extreme heat threatens older adults in DC, especially those aging at home without resources or knowledge to prepare. To address this, the agency held 17 workshops at local centers and villages, reaching over 450 participants, and distributed more than 500 Cool Kits with essential supplies. A 2025 emergency preparedness calendar featuring inclusive artwork and seasonal safety tips was also created. Attendees reported greater confidence and asked for more sessions. One participant shared "I did not know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke," and noted the importance of this training.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Honolulu, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills
Description: Low-income older adults in Honolulu's Chinatown neighborhood experience everyday stresses that can compromise their ability to adapt to environmental impacts. The Krause Family Foundation connected local elders with climate change research scientists, artists and civic leaders. To do this, project organizers installed several self-teaching learning stations and created a temporary art installation. The mural-like installation -- which they displayed at the ARTS at Marks Garage -- portrayed individual and neighborhood climate action goals. Organizers say the project helped older adults consider the impact of stressors such as heat, a lack of walkability, unsafe crosswalks, flooding and poor waste management.
Portland, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills
Description: Older adults in Portland's Lloyd neighborhood needed better emergency preparedness. The Lloyd Prepares Challenge engaged residents in five weeks of tasks like creating personal plans, gathering supplies and attending workshops. Sixty participants completed 130 tasks and received items such as first aid kits and go-bags. "It feels so good to know what to do if something bad happens," said a retirement community member after a Stop the Bleed class. The effort sparked new partnerships and will evolve into a Neighborhood Emergency Team.
West Sacramento, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Emergency preparedness skills
Description: West Sacramento officials were disturbed by the statistics: older adults are more than twice as likely to die or be injured in a house fire. City officials commissioned a video to educate older adults about ways to improve fire safety, focusing specifically on people living in areas with higher incidences of fire-related accidents. The video featured the local fire marshal and residents, who were quizzed on their knowledge of fire safety. They discussed whether they had fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in their homes and what they thought was the leading cause of fires. The video aired on public access television and project organizers posted it online and promoted it via social media. Additionally, the City handed out 96 free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to locals.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Washington, DC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Older adults in Washington DC often lacked confidence using public transit or ride-hailing, leaving many isolated and unable to reach essential services. The Senior Transit Solutions program delivered five workshops, over 100 one-on-one training sessions and many practice trips to build skills and confidence. 97% of participants reported feeling more comfortable navigating transportation options. "Thanks to this training program, I've been able to go shopping, doctor appointments and senior events that I normally wouldn't have been able to go to," one participant said. Plans include expanding the program citywide.
Washington, DC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: While Washington, D.C. has a robust public transit system, rider amenities are not consistent throughout the city and the Pennsylvania Avenue East Corridor is particularly underserved. The city's Office of Planning hoped to use creative placemaking techniques to make waiting for the bus safer and more comfortable. Project organizers worked with local artists to design and build an Imagination Bench, which they placed on a well-used bus route. The bench has solar-powered illumination and a QR code on its side directs viewers to information about the bench and local planning efforts. Originally installed near Fort Dupont Park, planning staff intend to feature the brightly colored bench at the city's farmers markets, pop-up shops and other community events.
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