St. Cloud, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: Artistic wayfinding elements and custom bike racks will connect downtown streets to the lakefront. Clear visual cues will support safer walking and cycling for residents of all ages.

Kissimmee, FL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Digital navigation skills

Description: Many older adults had difficulty accessing food, digital tools and emergency information, especially when transportation or stable housing was limited. These gaps increased isolation and made it harder to stay safe during hurricanes and other disruptions. The Black Empowerment & Community Council responded by converting a minivan into a mobile resource hub that delivered services directly into neighborhoods. Through outreach stops, staff provided meals and food supplies, computer literacy help, laptops and hurricane preparedness resources. Older adults also received one-on-one navigation to connect with housing, benefits and local services. One unhoused older adult shared that receiving meals and preparedness supplies on site increased their sense of safety during hurricane season. By bringing support to where people were, the project reduced access barriers and helped residents remain safer and more connected.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.