AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
Utility Emergency Services Fund (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Transportation
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
└ Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
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.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Photo Gallery
Image:
Click on a photo to learn more
See More Projects Like This One
San Diego, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Coordinated rides, mobility tools and hands-on assistance for grocery trips will be provided for older residents. These services will improve access to food and health care.
Washington, DC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: Many older adults with limited mobility struggle to reach affordable food, health services and social activities without reliable transportation. Seabury Resources for Aging expanded shuttle service focused on food access, offering regular group trips to community food markets and affordable grocery stores. The predictable rides allowed older adults to shop for foods they prefer while traveling with peers. Partner sites described the shuttle as essential, noting that these outings are the only way some older adults are able to leave their homes. By restoring routes and strengthening partnerships, the project reduced isolation and laid groundwork for sustained, older-adult-focused transportation that supports independence over time.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Marion, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Expansion and enhancement of transportation options
Description: The Council on Aging expanded medical rides so older adults could reach out-of-county appointments in a region with limited transit and few alternatives. Using lift-equipped vehicles, the team delivered thousands of trips, including dozens of out-of-county rides each month. They tracked one-way trips, mileage and unique riders. The donation-based model removed financial screening and raised awareness as demand grew. The program prompted multi-year contracts through 2027 to continue out-of-county trips, improving access to health care, reducing isolation and helping riders keep treatment schedules.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: Cobbs Creek Park's lack of signage and programming left older adults disconnected from nature. The council installed two large kiosks with maps, safety tips and QR codes for resources, and hosted senior-focused events like Jazz on the Creek and a driving safety course. These efforts boosted confidence to explore the park and fostered social connections. The project set the stage for expanded signage and dedicated senior programming to make the park more welcoming and accessible.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Philadelphia, PA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: The Viola Street Community Garden has served the East Parkside neighborhood for half a century. But the garden faced challenges related to soil quality water access -- gardeners had to haul in water barrels from a fire hydrant down the block. And because the City owned the garden property, its future was uncertain. After Neighborhood Gardens Trust assumed ownership, they wanted to improve the space. The organization built raised beds, brought in fresh soil and installed a new irrigation system. Volunteers also laid down ADA-accessible pathways to accommodate gardeners of all ages and abilities. New fencing, as well as a picnic table and shade umbrella, made the space welcoming. Since the upgrades, the Trust has added new parcels to the garden's footprint. Organizers say the garden helps ensure food access for West Philadelphia families, helping heal disparities resulting from systemic racism and disinvestment.
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 Pennsylvania State Office
30 North 3rd Street
Suite 920
Harrisburg, PA 17101
United States