AARP Community Challenge and COVID-19

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This list of 25 AARP Community Challenge grantees is specific to the projects that were identified by applicants as being a community response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Due to social distancing needs, the projects relate to efforts that can "virtually engage" residents, provide access to food and services, and support local businesses and economies. The

list below is organized by state and location, followed by the name of the grantee organization and a brief project description.

Grantees were expected to complete their projects by December 18, 2020.

Package Campaign to provide assisted living communities and hospital patients with an array of creative experiences, including music, craft kits, journaling and DIY art projects.

CaliforniaHayfork: Friends of the Hayfork ParkFunds will be used to improve the park and public pool during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic by installing safety and hygiene measures for

people using the pool and attending a farmers' market. ColoradoEstes Park: Estes Valley Community GardenThis grant will support the community's response to the coronavirus pandemic by making

improvements to a community garden and installing hand sanitizing stations. DelawareWilmington: Delaware Children's Museum The grantee will help develop a specialized online curriculum to

connect grandparents and grandchildren through remote activities in the week leading up to Grandparents Day. Funds will also be used to create and deliver "You’re Grand” activity bags to

encourage continued interactive activities. District of ColumbiaWashington: Iona Senior ServicesThe grant will support virtual outreach to older adults who are living alone during the

coronavirus pandemic and result in the creation of a discussion guide that can be used or adapted by other organizations. HawaiiHawaii: Hawaii Afterschool AllianceThis grant will help

develop intergenerational connections between vulnerable older adults and students across the state through regularly-scheduled, virtual check-ins. IllinoisSpringfield: Downtown 

SpringfieldThe funding will be used to sustain access to fresh, healthy foods by making coronavirus-related safety improvements to the Old Capitol Farms Market.

Maryland

services and resources.  MassachusettsRoxbury and North Dorchester: Dudley Street Neighborhood InitiativeDynamic virtual spaces for intergenerational dialogue will enable residents to

connect online in order to address community issues, attend workshops and join support groups.    MichiganEast Lansing: Michigan State University (MSU)/AgeAliveA remotely conducted Senior

Ambassador and Lifelong Learning Program will be developed and piloted. Data collection will focus on the impact of virtual social programs on social isolation, loneliness and quality of

life in older adults.  New JerseyFlemington Borough: Harvest Family Success CenterFunds will be used to provide free produce at a seniors-only market day, create a library of health and

wellness books, and enable weekly check-ins with older adults who may be isolated.Metuchen: Metuchen Downtown AllianceTo help support the recovery of downtown businesses impacted by COVID-19

closures, project funding will be used to install parklets and other interventions that repurpose sidewalks, streets, parking lots and alleys so dining and other public activities can occur

at safe social distances. New YorkDutchess County: United Way of the Dutchess-Orange RegionThe grant will strengthen intergenerational relationships by creating ways for older adults and

youth to safely connect during the global coronavirus pandemic. North CarolinaCharlotte: North End Community CoalitionTo bridge the digital divide and fight social isolation during the

COVID-19 crisis, a Wi-Fi hotspot lending program will allow residents to borrow a device for up to three weeks at a time.Chatham County: Bynum Front Porch The grant will help livestream the

community’s monthly storytelling workshops expand the reach to older adults, former residents, military families and others unable to gather in person due to distances or the COVID-19

pandemic. OklahomaFairview: Fairview Regional Medical Center AuthorityFunding will be put toward providing remote monitoring cardiac rehabilitation for people who’ve had recent cardiac

events and are of a low- to moderate-risk of experiencing complications while recuperating at home.Tulsa: Indian Nations Council of Governments and Tulsa Bike ShareThe project will implement

a free food delivery service pilot that will make use of a bike share program to deliver grocery orders to homebound residents. OregonPortland: Asian Health and Service CenterFunding will

be used to expand the work of a successful response team that provides culturally specific, urgently needed support for older adults who face language and cultural barriers that increase

isolation and loneliness.  PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia: Sunday Breakfast Rescue MissionThe project will create a free, no-contact to-go meal service so clients can be safely  served during the

c

oronavirus pandemic. South CarolinaGreenville County: Mill Community MinistriesThe project will help combat food insecurity by expanding the capacity to distribute healthy, affordable food

to vulnerable older residents. TennesseeChattanooga: City of Chattanooga — Department of Youth and Family DevelopmentThis grant will be used to create a support team that will teach and

train older adults to use interactive technology in order stay connected to friends, family and services during the coronavirus pandemic. UtahSalt Lake County: University of Utah Geriatric

Psychiatry ClinicIn order to improve social connections among residents of assisted living and nursing home facilities during the COVID-19 crisis, the funded project will pilot Conversation

Cafes that provide a weekly virtual gathering place for residents and their families. The funds will also support the installation of high-speed internet service where none exists, the

installation of Wi-Fi boosters where there are weak or intermittent signals, and platform-specific training for staff. VermontWashing, Orange and Lamoille Counties: Central Vermont Council

on AgingThe grant funding will be used to help combat the social isolation of older adults during the coronavirus pandemic by providing homebound residents with creative art kits and visits

by volunteers. The effort will feature an online art show displaying residents’ artistic creations. VirginiaFairfax County: CFH, IncThe grant will provide residents of independent senior

housing with a “telehealth kit” that contains a wrist-based blood pressure unit and digital thermometer so they can share their health vital signs with medical providers during telehealth

visits.  WashingtonKing County: International Community Health ServicesCulturally and linguistically appropriate outreach materials will be created to help patients learn how to stay

connected to their health care providers through patient portals, telehealth and online classes.Thurston County: Garden Raised BountyTo increase food security, well-being and long-term

resiliency during the COVID-19 crisis, gardens will be installed in neighborhoods for households at risk of food insecurity.

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