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New North (2025) Print
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Digital Connections
└ Digital navigation skills
└ Digital navigation skills
New North addressed gaps in digital access that left many older adults without the skills needed to manage daily tasks online. The initiative expanded digital training across the region through group classes, 1-to-1 coaching and shared statewide modules, while partners added staff and volunteers to support instruction. The NEW BOOST Digital Navigator Network enabled more residents to learn on their own devices, easing financial strain and improving confidence. The effort built lasting capacity for digital skills support that helps older adults stay connected and access essential services.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Chattanooga, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: To help combat social isolation, the City of Chattanooga's Department of Youth and Family Development provided older adults with Chromebooks, mouses and hotspots to allow them to connect to the internet. Additionally, the City offered digital skills classes at several locations to help them use the devices. Project organizers say the COVID-19 pandemic limited opportunities for social interaction for many residents. This project provided vulnerable residents with internet access and know-how, allowing them to build and maintain interpersonal relationships.
Montclair, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: Older adults in Montclair faced digital literacy gaps that left them vulnerable during emergencies. The project trained 40 participants to use smartwatches for alerts, fall detection and SOS features, supported by peer navigators and additional equipment. A best practices report and an online video reinforced learning. Over 90% of participants rated the program "very beneficial", reporting greater confidence and awareness of life-saving tools. One trainee said smartwatch feedback "alerted me to a balance problem" and prompted her to seek professional help.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Green Bay, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public Places Other
Description: Seating, low-impact fitness equipment and a meditation labyrinth will be added at a popular city park. These improvements will support gentle movement, rest and reflection near a busy transit area.
Green Bay, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Farmory is a nonprofit urban farm, where community members can learn about sustainable agriculture and aquaponics. However, many of the farm's features were inaccessibly to visitors who rely on wheelchairs or other mobility devices. To make the space more accessible, the Farmory installed a new aquaponics system, which is low to the ground. This allows visitors to see the farm's growing systems without needing to climb onto a ladder. The system consists of four growing beds, water tanks, a germinating chamber and a harvesting area. Today, produce grown with the new aquaponics system also helps combat food insecurity -- the Farmory donates about ten pounds of greens each week to the county's Aging and Disability Resource Center.
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