Sagadahoc, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Older adults across several communities expressed fear and uncertainty about emergencies, with many lacking preparedness plans or clear information about local resources. Age-Friendly Communities of the Lower Kennebec hosted six listening sessions where participants shared experiences and concerns about disasters. The conversations emphasized communication, evacuation routes and the importance of checking on neighbors. These led to increased signups for the county emergency notification system. By partnering with county emergency management and centering older adults voices, the project energized communities to begin developing local response plans and laid the groundwork for coordinated preparedness efforts.

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

Austin, TX

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Meals on Wheels Central Texas addressed gaps in disaster preparedness that left many older adults unsure how to respond to emergencies, even as nearby flooding underscored the risks. The project hosted preparedness events at congregate sites, pairing simple first aid and disaster pre-planning with familiar activities such as trivia and bingo to keep learning approachable. Participants received checklists in English and Spanish and assembled home safety kits with essentials like flashlights, batteries and thermal items. One participant said the sessions helped her focus on practical steps after flooding affected her family, noting that thinking through small details made a difference. Attendance increased and requests for more learning followed, prompting the organization to embed preparedness education into regular gatherings so skills continue beyond one-time events.

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

Denver, CO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Many older adults lacked basic disaster plans and were unsure how to respond during emergencies, including how to evacuate or protect important documents. The Center on Colfax addressed these gaps through three hands-on workshops that guided participants through creating written plans, assembling emergency kits and safeguarding vital records. Each attendee received a fireproof document box and a first aid kit to support immediate follow-through at home. Surveys showed strong gains in understanding and readiness, with most participants planning to act on what they learned. One participant called the sessions the best learning opportunity at The Center, while another said that the workshops provided definitive actions to take, signaling greater confidence and preparedness.

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