Aarp community challenge 2021 - winning grantees

For the fifth annual AARP Community Challenge, AARP received more than 3,500 applications from nonprofits and government entities, resulting in a highly competitive selection process.  “AARP

IS COMMITTED TO HELPING MAYORS, LOCAL LEADERS AND RESIDENTS STRENGTHEN THEIR COMMUNITIES SO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES AND BACKGROUNDS CAN THRIVE. MANY OF OUR EARLIER GRANTS HAVE LED TO

PERMANENT CHANGES, AND THE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO EVOLVE. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT PROJECTS THIS YEAR THAT FOCUS ON DIVERSITY, ADDRESSING DISPARITIES, CORONAVIRUS RECOVERY AND ENGAGING 50-PLUS

VOLUNTEERS TO IMPROVE THEIR COMMUNITIES.” _— Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer_ Nearly $3.2 million is being distributed to fund 244

quick-action projects across the country, helping urban, rural and suburban communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages. AARP

Community Challenge grants will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Grants will help improve public spaces, transportation, housing and

civic engagement with an emphasis on the needs of people 50 or older. Many of this year’s grants support revitalizing communities adversely impacted by the pandemic and include a focus on

diversity, inclusion and disparities. THE WINNING PROJECTS ARE DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES: * Create vibrant PUBLIC PLACES that improve open spaces, parks and

access to other community amenities. * Ensure a focus on DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION while improving the built and social environment of a community * Deliver a range of TRANSPORTATION and

mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, access to transportation options and roadway improvements. * Support local recovery from the CORONAVIRUS 

pandemic with an emphasis on economic development, improvements to public spaces and transportation services * Encourage the development of a range of HOUSING options to increase the

availability of accessible and affordable choices * Increase CIVIC ENGAGEMENT and demonstrate the tangible value of “SMART CITIES” with innovative and tangible projects that bring residents

and local leaders together to address challenges and facilitate a greater sense of inclusion * Implement OTHER COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENTS that respond to local needs _Read the eligibility

requirements for the 2021 AARP Community Challenge_. ALABAMA * BIRMINGHAM: Freshwater Land Trust The Highlands Connector project will upgrade and reinforce an on-street multi-modal pathway

leading to a protected path and the Red Rock Trail System. * FOLEY: Foley Main Street, Inc. Musical instruments will be added to an existing pocket park so people of all ages can play and

organizations can stage public performances. * MONROEVILLE: Monroeville Main Street Game boards will be installed near City Hall and a program called "Play Chess with the Mayor"

will help encourage inclusiveness and community connections.  * MONTGOMERY: River Region Trails, Inc. This demonstration project will create protected bicycle and pedestrian lanes on busy

streets in the Old Cloverdale district to show the value of walk-bike infrastructure in the neighborhood and city. ALASKA * ANCHORAGE: Anchorage Park Foundation Musical equipment will be

added to the city's first "intergenerational health and healing park," which will also feature artwork, an inclusive playground, a paved labyrinth, fitness features and more.

* ANCHORAGE: Catholic Social Services An underused courtyard will be converted into a community garden that can provide garden-grown produce to food pantry clients and provide meaningful

volunteer opportunities. * ANCHORAGE: Neighborworks Alaska Local artists will create artwork that integrates culture and storytelling into interpretive signs placed along the Fish Creek

Trail. * KNIK-FAIRVIEW, MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH: Great Land Trust An ADA-accessible scenic overlook at the Settlers Bay Coastal Park will allow visitors of all mobility levels to enjoy the

views of Cook Inlet. ARIZONA * AGUILA: Aguila Community Center The community center will be improved with a repaired roof and new flooring to make the venue safer and more inviting. * CAMP

VERDE: Town of Camp Verde Parks and Recreation Division Seating is lacking along several key stretches of the Town of Camp Verde Sport Complex. Challenge funds will be used to place benches

along the 1.6 mile Perimeter Loop Trail and around a pond. * FORT DEFIANCE: Navajo United Way This project will support the installation of bus shelters throughout Navajo Nation to provide

seating and shade for waiting passengers. _Photo Album_ * TUCSON: Community Gardens of Tucson The Blue Moon Community Garden is part of Tucson House, which provides rental support and

low-income housing to older adults and people with disabilities. Challenge funds will be used to make improvements and help residents access healthy food. * TUCSON: Tucson Home Sharing Inc. 

| Pima Council on Aging An education and outreach effort by Tucson Home Sharing will teach older adults about home sharing, which is an affordable housing option that can reduce loneliness

and isolation. * WILLCOX: Willcox Theater and Arts, Inc. An unused lot in the downtown historic district will be transformed into a courtyard that celebrates the area's heritage and

character through art installations, features accessible walkways and provides seating so visitors can enjoy and interact in the new space. ARKANSAS * MALVERN: Malvern-Hot Spring County

Library This project expands an existing Story Trail & Garden by adding planters, decorative seating and supplies — including outdoor easels for painting classes, and books for  summer

reading baskets — to support library programs. * OSCEOLA: City of Osceola A paved, tree-shaded walking path will be constructed near a playground that's close to the Osceola Senior

Center to promote the integration of recreational spaces that serve older adults with those created for households with young children.  * PINE BLUFF: City of Pine Bluff This project will

install eight artistic benches, an accessible pavilion and provide materials and supplies that support community gardening. CALIFORNIA * ALTADENA: Altadena Town Council Safe Streets

Committee To advocate for safe access to parks, this demonstration project will include a bicycle park, an accessible nature trail loop and and ecology walk. * MONTCLAIR: Montclair Community

Foundation Adding raised garden beds, a shade structure, lighting and seating to the Montclair Community Garden will allow people of all abilities to enjoy the space. * OAKLAND: Habitat for

Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley Working through the Oakland Community Garden program, Habitat for Humanity will supply skilled labor, volunteers and funding to repair and upgrade community

gardens so the spaces can provide area residents with nutritious food and safe places to gather. * SAN JOSÉ: Veggielution An underutilized parking lot in the downtown arts district will be

revitalized with a demonstration garden, farm stand, dog park, mobile food vending hub and artistic murals. COLORADO * BOULDER: City of Boulder Solar pathway lights will be installed to

illuminate a neighborhood so residents can more safely walk at night. * DENVER, JEFFERSON AND BOULDER COUNTIES: Sprout City Farms Local food solutions will be provided to people who live

near three community farms. * PUEBLO: Posada A closed motel will be repurposed into single-room-occupancy housing for older adults who are experiencing homelessness and provide them with

opportunities that encourage healthy, stable and self-sufficient living. CONNECTICUT * BRIDGEPORT: Groundwork Bridgeport A series of walking events will pair older adults with local teens to

encourage fitness activities, intergenerational connections and an exchange of stories about the city, its people and history. _Video_ * HARTFORD: Green & Blue Foundation This project

will enhance pedestrian safety, comfort and enjoyment with traffic calming features, accessible benches and a community garden. * TOLLAND: Tolland Conservation Commission The Wanat Senior

Park will feature accessible walking trails, a labyrinth, a sundial, a pollinator garden and a silo for stargazing. DELAWARE * WILMINGTON: Urban Bike Project of Wilmington, Inc. Open Streets

Wilmington will hold events that close streets to motor vehicle traffic in order to create safe spaces for residents to engage in outdoor activities and connect with one another. *

WILMINGTON: Wilmington Alliance Sculptural bicycle racks designed by local artists will enhance community spaces and the city's cycling infrastructure. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA *

WASHINGTON: DC Greens A roof and waterproofing will be added to the pavilion at Well at Oxon Run Park, a performing arts and outdoor classroom space. * WASHINGTON: DC Office of Planning

Temporary, creatively designed age-friendly benches will be installed at high-priority bus stops until permanent bus shelters are installed. * WASHINGTON: Vida Senior Centers Funding will

help a musical group formed at a local senior center acquire needed equipment for performing at weekend markets, street fairs and other community events. FLORIDA * CASSELBERRY: IDEAS For Us

The Hindu Temple of Central Florida will receive an educational community garden so community members can contribute to and observe the restoration of habitats for pollinator species. *

DEERFIELD BEACH: City of Deerfield Beach | Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization To increase the mobility, accessibility and safety of a roadway in a predominantly residential area, a

“quick-build” project will temporarily install intersection improvements, informational signage, traffic calming features and highly-visible decorative crosswalks. * MIAMI BEACH: Miami Beach

Gay Pride, Inc. A museum exhibition featuring portraits and audio will bring to life "hundreds of years of love" through stories told by same-sex couples. _Video_ * OPA-LOCKA: 

Opa-locka Community Development Corporation To improve access to free, healthy food for low-income residents, fruit trees and park amenities will be installed in the common area of a

multi-family residential development. * ORLANDO: City of Orlando Underserved neighborhoods with limited internet access will receive solar charging tables and artistic shade structures

equipped as wireless hotspots. _Video_ * PINELLAS COUNTY: Florida Dream Center This program will help older residents with home repairs or modifications such as adding grab bars, chair

lifts, wheelchair ramps, staircase handrails and more. GEORGIA * ATHENS: Athens Downtown Development Authority A new interpretive exhibit, an African American culture and heritage library,

and a walking tour map will help generate conversation in the community and forge a connection between two historically significant buildings. * ATLANTA: Atlanta Downtown Improvement

District A mobile kiosk in Woodruff Park filled with games and recreational equipment will be improved with new accessibility features and artwork. _Photo Album_ * AUGUSTA: Garden City Jazz 

| Greater Augusta Black Chamber of Commerce Photographs, videos and live-streamed events from the Soul & Soil Initiative — an outdoor concert series of African American music held on

African American-owned farmland — will be used to promote and support local arts and culture, agriculture and agri-tourism. * DALTON: City of Dalton Housing Authority Accessibility ramps,

picnic tables and improved laundry rooms are among the improvements planned for an affordable housing complex that's home to numerous older adults. * LEE COUNTY, ALBANY, SYLVESTER, 

THOMASVILLE: Southwest Georgia Regional Commission Grant funds will be used to add accessible seating, recreational equipment and outdoor art displays in four communities. HAWAII * HONOLULU:

 Better Block Hawaii The installation of parklets in Honolulu’s Kalihi neighborhood will support local businesses as they recover from the pandemic, improve safety and livability, and

demonstrate how parklets fit with and can enhance the city's transit development plans. * HONOLULU: Kanu Hawaii Time-banking, also known as skill-sharing, enables people to barter

services. Challenge funds will help the Kokua Exchange timebank in its work to alleviate economic burdens and deepen connections between community members.  * KAILUA: Kailua Intermediate

School Transforming an exterior campus wall into a community mural will honor the history and heritage of area residents. IDAHO * HIDDEN SPRINGS: Hidden Springs Town Association The creation

of an all-weather path for the Hidden Springs community and greater Treasure Valley will provide an outdoor recreational option for all ages along scenic riparian trails, a community farm

and agricultural fields. _ State Video_