Cheyenne, WY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options

Description: Many veterans in Cheyenne struggle to afford household expenses. Local nonprofit Veterans' Rock provides help through food assistance, shower and laundry facilities and more. To help further bridge the gap, the group set out to improve veterans' ability to get around. They distributed gift cards to cover the cost of gas and car repairs and taxi rides, as well as day and month passes for the local transit system. Additionally, they worked with local organizations to repair bikes and volunteer drivers offered free rides. Project organizers said the assistance helped several veterans find jobs. One veteran, who received a bicycle through the initiative, expressed his gratitude. He works a late shift and the city bus doesn't run late enough to get him home. But his new bike has given him freedom to get where he needs to go.

Edgemont, SD

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options

Description: For residents of Edgemont, the nearest health care providers are located at least 25 miles away. Furthermore, the small, rural town didn't have any public transit service. To help residents get around, the West River Transit Authority piloted a new transportation system. The Authority hired a part-time driver to provide on-demand rides three days a week. Geared toward residents who don't drive, the service also transports residents to pharmacies, grocery stores and other essential amenities. To help inform the community about the new service, the Authority advertised through mailings and local ads. Project organizers hope to continue to expand on-demand transportation offerings in the future.