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North Dakota's Gateway to Science (2025) Print
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Digital Connections
└ Digital navigation skills
└ Digital navigation skills
Many adults age 50 and over wanted to build digital skills but felt unsure navigating technology and excluded by cost or unfamiliar learning environments. North Dakota's Gateway to Science responded by opening its doors to older adults through a 50 Plus Discount Day and a series of hands on digital literacy workshops offered both at the science center and inside local communities where older adults live. The workshops focused on practical topics such as scam messages, password safety and emerging tools, with small group formats that allowed for questions and individual support. Participants reported leaving with greater confidence and excitement about using what they learned with family and in daily life. Several said they arrived believing they were not digitally literate and left feeling capable and curious.
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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Honolulu, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: As SNAP benefits dropped and food prices soared, many older adults in Honolulu struggled to afford groceries. They also faced barriers volunteering at The Pantry's eCommerce food distribution program due to limited digital skills. The project trained more than 375 older adults on basic computer navigation, teaching account setup and ordering across laptops and tablets. This enabled volunteers to assist others and order food themselves, impacting nearly 2,000 older adults. One participant now orders for her assisted living facility, saying the training helped her meet cultural preferences and support neighbors.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Memphis, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: In South Memphis, many older adults lacked computer skills, leaving them disconnected from telehealth, finances and job opportunities. Mustard Seed addressed this by hosting a six-week course at its ACTION Center, covering internet safety, smartphone basics and fraud prevention, with one-on-one support from volunteers. The curriculum, co-designed with older adults and delivered in partnership with CodeCrew, gave participants practical skills for banking, shopping and virtual meetings. Graduates now feel confident using technology, and demand for intermediate classes is growing. One participant noted how much he enjoyed the class, and mentioned that the instructors were very helpful and the class made things much easier for him.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Madison, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: The Madison Mercantile launched a Digital Literacy Lab to close a critical gap for older residents in a rural county where most services are online. Without digital skills, many struggled to access health care, counseling and even family connections. The lab now offers computers, teleconference equipment and a wheelchair-accessible desk, with staff and volunteers guiding users. A soundproof room enables private telemedicine visits, and partnerships with tech support groups ensure devices work properly. By replacing a discontinued mobile computer program, the lab provides lasting digital access and strengthens community ties.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Bismarck, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Many residents lacked knowledge about how to use public transit, creating barriers for older adults and people with disabilities-especially after the local taxi service closed. Bis-Man Transit produced 11 short instructional videos explaining trip planning, timetables, fares and stop requests. Shared online and used in training sessions, these videos provide a lasting resource to help riders feel confident using public transit. Volunteers, including an older adult and a wheelchair user, appeared in the videos to show real-life scenarios, making the system more approachable and accessible.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Bismarck, ND
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Engaging residents alongside thought leaders in problem solving
Description: For decades, Bismarck has welcomed migrants from across the world, including recent arrivals fleeing Russian invasion of Ukraine. To strengthen ties between immigrant families and the wider community, Bismarck Global Neighbors hosted a meal. The event was part of the New Immigrant Leadership Program, which seeks to identify and empower rising leaders in the local immigrant community. At the meal, program participants hailing from Mauritania, Nicaragua, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Taiwan and Rwanda shared their experiences. Local leaders -- including city and county officials -- were invited to come, listen and use what they learned to make the community more inviting for all.
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