Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (2021) Print

star-24px 2021 AARP Community Challenge Grantee

Project Category

Civic Engagement
└ Bringing resident insight and volunteer power into local government
Organizers with the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service hoped to help Baltimore's older adults advocate for their housing, health and consumer needs. To do this, they hosted a series of trainings for older adults. The meetings allowed participants to share their lived experiences and strategize about how to achieve their advocacy goals and reach policymakers. Equipped with new skills, the residents then took part in a public hearing, testified before the Baltimore City Council and submitted public comments to proposed regulations. Through this engagement, raining participants made their voices heard on water affordability, reverse mortgages, tax sales and other issues.

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ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

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