Seattle, WA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: To increase their independence and mobility, Sound Generations partnered with antipoverty organization Hopelink to help residents understand and access local public transportation options. The two organizations hosted a guided excursion for a small group of older adults. They helped build participants' confidence using buses and light rail to reach cultural and educational sites, outdoor events and social services agencies. Excursion leaders gave instruction in tasks such as using fare machines and planning a trip with the King County Metro app. To accommodate non-native English speakers, they also provided translators. Today, Hopelink continues to provide resources to help older adults navigate public transportation.

Portland, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: This pilot program taught Chinese-speaking elders to use smartphones to access information about bus schedules, routes and fares. APANO held three hands-on workshops in the Jade District, one of the most diverse areas of Portland. The neighborhood is home to the city's busiest bus route, which serves a housing complex for older adults. APANO navigators worked with youth leaders fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese to teach participants to use the local transit agency's TriMet app, as well as Google Maps. Workshop organizers hoped to reach 50 participants but the first training alone welcomed more than 70 people. Organizers also led practice trips to locations important to workshop participants. APANO reports that building confidence in public transit helped stave off food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as older adults were able to travel by bus to obtain culturally specific grocery staples.

Minneapolis, MN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: To help people become less reliant on driving to get around, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota hosted Bikeable Community Workshops in eight municipalities. Each workshop provided community leaders with resources to make their neighborhoods more accessible and bikeable. Participants included elected officials, city staff, local nonprofits and small business owners. Following the events, BikeMN team members provided on-the-ground technical assistance and expertise to the eight host communities. Participating community leaders and bicycle advocates also formed steering committees to work on bike-friendly community goals going forward.