AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (2020) Print
2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners launched Neighbors on the Go, a volunteer driver program to transport older adults and individuals with disabilities to medical appointments. To raise awareness of the service and assure riders that the drivers had been vetted, SNAP set out to brand the program. They distributed brochures about Neighbors on the Go to local community centers and health clinics. In addition, SNAP equipped each volunteer vehicle with magnetic door decals and provided SNAP-branded polo shirts and name tags to drivers. SNAP also hosted training sessions with new volunteer drivers and provided them with personal protective equipment to keep them safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
Tallahassee, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Transportation barriers in Leon County left many older adults missing medical appointments and struggling with food insecurity. The project provided over 600 rides for people age 50-plus to health care, food pantries and essential services, improving access and reducing stress. Nearly half of the trips were for food, and others connected veterans to VA care. One rider said the program let her visit her church pantry safely and gave her a reliable transportation option.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Marysville, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Older adults struggled to reach grocery stores and pharmacies because the community circulator ran only once a week. The project added a second weekly route, hired a licensed driver and enlisted volunteers to help riders with bags. The expanded service connected residents to stores, doctors and the Senior Center, giving them more flexibility and reducing isolation. Riders said the change "helped them feel more independent," and some visited the center for the first time, enjoying activities and socializing without worrying about transportation.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: UESF tackled transportation barriers for older adults in Philadelphia by providing SEPTA passes and ride-hailing trips to reach Oak Street Health centers for benefit applications and document retrieval. The program integrated transportation into mobile outreach, hosting workshops and distributing resources at multiple sites. These efforts helped older adults secure vital documents and prevent utility shutoffs, reducing housing instability. One participant shared that transportation assistance "helped achieve long-term stability and alleviated the stress of having a utility turned off," underscoring its role in promoting independence and security.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Spokane, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: Refugee and Immigrant Connections Spokane addressed gaps in digital access that left many older adults struggling to communicate, find information and take part in daily activities that increasingly require online skills. For older adults, limited experience with computers and concerns about online safety increased isolation and dependency. The project delivered a series of hands-on digital literacy workshops supported by staff and volunteers, with small-group and one-on-one instruction tailored to older learners. Participants practiced core skills such as using laptops and tablets, navigating websites, sending email and recognizing common online risks. As confidence grew, several participants began applying these skills to their phones and other devices, strengthening independence and connection.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Spokane, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The project addressed the shortage of accessible gardening space for older adults and other residents who wanted a nearby place to grow food and connect with others in Spokane. Adding new raised beds expanded opportunities for people to garden without bending or lifting, and recruitment focused on participants from the community center. The expansion strengthened interest in the garden, encouraged new gardeners to join and helped lay the groundwork for future upgrades, including plans for an accessible path and a composting station. A neighbor who saw the beds being built said she looked forward to having a place close to home where her family could grow food.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Washington State Office
18000 International Boulevard
Suite 1020
SeaTac (Seattle), WA 98188
United States