AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Lake Links (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Lake County is home to a high percentage of older adults and people with disabilities, as well as many low-income families. Many of these residents struggle to get around, especially when they need to travel to medical appointments outside of the county. To fill transportation gaps, Lake Links set out to launch a year-long pilot volunteer driver program. They recruited volunteers and scheduled monthly trainings, enabling them to provide rides to older adults in Lake County. Since starting the service, organizers say community support for a permanent volunteer driver program has grown.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Des Moines, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Older adults in central Iowa faced isolation and missed appointments because they lacked affordable, on-demand transportation. The project funded over 800 rides through a call-center program that let riders book ride-hailing trips without a smartphone. Trips included medical visits, grocery runs and social outings, helping participants stay connected and independent. One rider shared, "it makes us very happy to see each other!" after using the service to visit a lifelong friend in a care facility.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Burnsville, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Training sessions, printed guides and guided ride-alongs will help residents age 50-plus learn to use on-demand transit in suburban communities. The program will build confidence in using trip-booking tools and support continued access to transportation.
Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: UESF tackled transportation barriers for older adults in Philadelphia by providing SEPTA passes and ride-hailing trips to reach Oak Street Health centers for benefit applications and document retrieval. The program integrated transportation into mobile outreach, hosting workshops and distributing resources at multiple sites. These efforts helped older adults secure vital documents and prevent utility shutoffs, reducing housing instability. One participant shared that transportation assistance "helped achieve long-term stability and alleviated the stress of having a utility turned off," underscoring its role in promoting independence and security.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Cloverdale, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Park enhancements
Description: There will be multiple accessible benches added along the trail, as well as a bilingual walking program. The project will add places to rest and meet, while guided group walks will support safe movement and social connection.
Santa Rosa, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Low-income older adults in Sonoma County often lacked access to fresh produce, relying on shelf-stable foods. Farm to Pantry addressed this by building "Farm-acy" carts stocked with locally grown fruits and vegetables, health clinics and other high-need sites. Volunteers gleaned produce from farms and added recipe cards to encourage healthy meals. The carts now provide free, high-quality food in a dignified setting, reducing waste and improving nutrition. One recipient said, "I walk out of the clinic to this bright cart full of freshly-picked oranges... it was like it was meant for me personally."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP California State Office
200 S. Los Robles Avenue
Suite 400
Pasadena, CA 91101
United States