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Famicos (2025) Print
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Digital Connections
└ Expanding High-Speed Internet
└ Expanding High-Speed Internet
This project will help 210 older adult residents in age-restricted apartments sign up for affordable internet service and provide basic computer skills training.
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Cheyenne, WY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Expanding High-Speed Internet
Description: The senior center will expand digital education programs using shared devices and guided instruction. Participants will build confidence using online tools for health, safety and communication.
Mount Vernon, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Expanding High-Speed Internet
Description: NewFlex Youth Programs addressed digital skill gaps that left many older adults struggling to use smartphones and tablets for everyday tasks, limiting communication and access to essential services. The project delivered hands-on, one-on-one technology support through intergenerational workshops. Youth interns and students met older adults in familiar community spaces and provided personalized help with messaging, email, apps and device navigation. As the program evolved, structured scheduling and hybrid options expanded access while reinforcing skills already learned. The approach built trust and normalized asking for help, leading to repeat participation and older adults proactively requesting sessions. One participant, a board member age 50 and over, said individualized instruction finally helped her master tasks she had struggled with for years and motivated her to continue learning after receiving a session summary and certificate.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
New Bern, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Expanding High-Speed Internet
Description: The program will train older rural residents to use internet tools before and after storms. Participants will gain skills for alerts, telehealth visits and recovery assistance.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Cleveland Heights, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: Zoning barriers and high costs limited Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), reducing housing options for older adults. To build awareness and momentum, the city hosted an ADU design competition that drew 28 submissions and over 5,300 online views. Three winning designs will become pre-approved plans, and a showcase event engaged residents and media. These steps laid the groundwork for zoning changes and future ADU construction, offering affordable, accessible housing. One resident said, "After decades of dreaming of a garage conversion for me in my golden years, I was thrilled to learn my city would reconsider zoning."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Cleveland, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority saw an opportunity to revitalize an abandoned volleyball court behind one of their public housing buildings, creating a space to bring residents together and address social isolation. Using input from the residents of Riverview Tower, an apartment building for low-income older adults, they created a garden where residents can grow their own fruits and vegetables. The garden has places to sit and features accessibility features for residents with mobility challenges. Additionally, the space includes sensory areas, which allow visitors to smell, touch and taste herbs, fruits and berries.
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