East Lansing, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Community Health and Economic Empowerment

Description: Michigan State University's AgeAlive initiative hosted free weekly, virtual lectures for more than 300 older adults. Speakers -- who included Michigan State professors and students -- shared their research on a range of topics, including social media, gene editing, gentrification and the transatlantic slave trade. In addition, the University purchased Virtual Senior Center subscriptions, which provide older adults with access to hundreds of lifelong learning classes. To combat social isolation, they also launched the Senior Ambassador Program, which matches students with older adults for weekly virtual social visits.

Lansing, MI

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Bikeability

Description: The Allen Neighborhood Center installed a bike repair and air station in Hunter Park, Lansing's second busiest park. Located in a low-income neighborhood, Hunter Park's repair station provides tools to residents who may not otherwise have access to them. The station sits next to a bus stop, providing easy access to riders who ride their bikes to and from their bus rides. The Allen Neighborhood Center has hosted bike repair trainings and project organizers report many cyclists regularly make repairs using the tools.