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McMinnville, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance repair and services
Description: Low-income older adults in rural Yamhill County faced safety hazards and mobility barriers that made aging in place difficult, from unstable steps to failing fixtures. McMinnville Area Habitat for Humanity completed 10 no-cost home repairs focused on accessibility and safety. It held two Block Blitz events that helped seven additional households with exterior fixes and hazard removal. Work included ramps and railings, accessible showers and toilets and plumbing and electrical repairs, supported by volunteers, many age 50-plus. One resident regained safe access after front steps were replaced with a ramp, reducing fear of falling. The project expanded reach in small towns and positioned the repair program for continued growth.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Shawnee, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance repair and services
Description: This project will help low-income, older residents remain safely in their homes by providing home evaluations and assisting with necessary repairs and modifications.
Albuquerque, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance repair and services
Description: Many older adults in Albuquerque were living with unsafe home conditions that made it difficult to remain independent. The Home Preservation program completed 32 projects after increased outreach. They provided repairs such as ramps, railings, deck fixes and safer entryways. Volunteers supported work across multiple homes, including one where new ramps and deck repairs allowed a resident to reach an art studio they thought they had lost access to. Demand for repairs continues to grow, prompting plans to hire another site manager and expand service capacity. The improvements help older adults stay safely in their homes and strengthen community connections through word-of-mouth referrals.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Access to high-speed internet
Description: To bridge the digital divide for those living nearby, the North Lawndale Employment Network installed a Wi-Fi tower on the roof of its new building. Providing free internet is an important step toward increased livability in North Lawndale -- the neighborhood ranks among the bottom three in Chicago for broadband access. In addition, 45 percent of households live below the federal poverty limit and many lack internet access at home. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NLEN had to transition many of its services to an online format. NLEN has since been selected as a participant in the Chicago Connected initiative, which connects local public school students with internet access and digital education. To bolster its efforts, the organization hired a digital literacy specialist and hopes to operate a lending library with laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots in the future.
Chicago, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: North Lawndale, whose population is 70 African American and 50 aged over 55 years, is one of 22 Chicago community areas with neither a grocery store nor supermarket. To combat food insecurity there, Jesus Word Center converted a vacant lot into a community garden. Project organizers purchased gardening tools, compost and vegetable seeds for local volunteers, most of whom are older adults. The improvements allowed gardeners to grow vegetables, fruit and herbs and the Jesus Word Center planned health and wellness workshops onsite. In the future, organizers hope to introduce a farmers market in the area as well, with the goal of improving health outcomes in the majority-Black community.
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