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.

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.

Birmingham, AL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Expanding High-Speed Internet

Description: Many older adults lacked the digital access and skills needed to receive alerts, reach family and neighbors and find reliable information during storms and other emergencies. That gap increased risk and left some residents less connected to local readiness efforts. Beanstalk addressed the problem by providing tablets and leading hands-on trainings tied to real emergency tasks. Participants learned to set up contacts, enable security features and use preparedness apps for weather alerts and local hazard updates. They practiced sending messages and checking alerts so those steps felt routine. The effort built confidence and created peer support: several attendees began helping others during sessions. One participant said, "I finally feel like Im catching up with the world again... Now I dont feel as isolated. I feel safer." The project expanded a base of tech-ready volunteers who can help neighbors stay informed and communicate when conditions change.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.