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2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Community Resilience
└ Public space improvements to support recovery after extreme weather events
└ Public space improvements to support recovery after extreme weather events
Hurricane Fiona exposed gaps in emergency support for older adults in Lajas. The organization upgraded its community technology center into a resilient hub with backup power, water reserves and radio communications. During outages, residents accessed hot meals, charged devices and coordinated relief efforts. "Thanks to the generator, our center became a meeting point where health and well-being were prioritized," said a volunteer. The center now offers digital literacy programs and plans solar upgrades and CERT training to boost long-term resilience.
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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Cape Coral, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space improvements to support recovery after extreme weather events
Description: Hurricane Ian stripped Cape Coral's parks of shade and greenery, leaving recreation areas exposed and vulnerable. Keep Lee County Beautiful responded by planting 80 native trees at the BMX Sports Complex. Volunteers learned proper planting techniques while restoring the canopy, which will cool the area, filter pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff for years to come. The effort sparked community spirit. "Youth had so much fun planting the trees that they stayed around and did a park cleanup afterwards," one organizer said, underscoring how recovery work united residents.
Trenton, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Public space improvements to support recovery after extreme weather events
Description: To honor first responders who saved lives during Hurricane Florence, the Town of Trenton planned to develop a new park. The green space's design focuses on mobility and includes a freshwater pond, memorial and gathering space for entertainment. Organizers hope the project helps the community as it recovers from the storm.
Glasgow, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space improvements to support recovery after extreme weather events
Description: Severe storms left medically fragile residents without power for essential health equipment, creating life-threatening risks. The county purchased 15 portable generators with cords and tracking systems for emergency deployment. Volunteers assist with distribution and maintenance, and social media alerts will inform residents when generators are available. This initiative ensures critical devices like ventilators and dialysis machines can operate during outages, strengthening disaster resilience for vulnerable households.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Rincon, PR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: To help community members reconnect after COVID-19 shutdowns, ACOMER Puerto Rico created community gardens at several centers for older adults. The organization purchased raised garden beds for each site and provided seeds for planting. Additionally, ACOMERPR held seminars on gardening techniques and recruited agronomists to provide technical assistance onsite. Local leaders manage each garden and organize group gardening sessions. Project organizers say they hope the garden plots allow residents to grow their own produce, increasing the community's access to nutritious food. This supports ACOMERPR's wider mission to offer food and medical resources to at-risk older adults and people displaced by natural disasters.
Ponce, PR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: Ponce -- Puerto Rico's second largest city -- is recovering after two hurricanes and several earthquakes damaged its downtown, leaving many families homeless. As part of reconstruction efforts, City leaders are focusing on bolstering community arts and activating public spaces. To make the downtown core more inviting, the City improved a walkway that connects the Plaza del Mercado Isabel II with the local marketplace. To prepare the site, City staff made infrastructure upgrades and revamped landscaping. They then added tables and benches to the site, allowing visitors to gather to enjoy live music, play board games and exercise. The City also installed a platform where artisans can display their work.
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