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Hamtramck, MI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: The City of Hamtramck wanted to create more equitable access to local public transit and pedestrian and bicycling routes. To allow older adults to access more transportation options, the City added benches along key transit, pedestrian and bicycling routes. To reach non-English speaking residents, they published informational brochures in Arabic, Bengali and English. Additionally, project organizers worked with the Detroit Institute of the Arts to install artwork near several benches. The project is part of larger plans for the Joe Louis Greenway, a 27-mile walking and biking trail that will extend from the Detroit riverfront to Hamtramck and other nearby communities.
Denver, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Older adults in Denver struggle with transportation and resource navigation, limiting independence and increasing isolation. DRMAC addressed this by expanding its Getting There Travel Training program, offering bilingual sessions and guided bus trips to teach trip planning, ticketing and mobility apps. Surveys showed that many participants felt more confident using public transit. The effort strengthened trust in marginalized communities and improved access to daily needs. One participant said that as a result of the help provided by the program, he is excited to now be able to attend spirit-lifting activities.
Miami, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Older adults in Miami-Dade faced barriers to using public transit and on-demand ride-hailing services, limiting mobility and social engagement. Transit Alliance launched My Transit My City, hosting workshops and tech training to teach participants how to navigate the redesigned bus system and use free ride-hailing apps. Outreach included flyers, helplines and pop-up events, and older adults enrolled in the Golden Passport program for fare-free rides. One participant said, "For those who are in their latter years, something new is always a bit frightening, but once they try it... they...like it," reflecting restored confidence.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Los Angeles, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Reconnecting Communities
Description: Westwood neighborhoods were split by the 405 freeway, leaving older adults at nearby housing and the VA Hospital with unsafe, disconnected routes. To address this, Streets For All hosted pop-up events, including a community walk and an e-bike ride, to showcase mobility options and gather feedback on sidewalk and transit improvements. The events built momentum for bike lanes and first/last mile transit connections already in planning and strengthened advocacy networks. One participant said that she hadn't ridden in a decade and felt joyous by the end of the ride and had a blast!
Los Angeles, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Expanding HighSpeed Internet
Description: This project will provide digital literacy workshops and accessible emergency resources to older adults and people with disabilities, enhancing disaster preparedness and promoting the use of high-speed internet.
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