AARP invests in communities across NY through 10 organizations as part of nationwide grant program

AARP invests $96,149 in New York State Communities

Ten organizations receive grants as part of nationwide program

Communities across New York are working to become more livable for residents of all ages.

AARP is working in partnership with local leaders, organizations and dedicated residents to help make that vision a reality. As part of that effort, AARP is excited to announce the largest investment of grant dollars to date through the Community Challenge grant program. More than $3.6 million in quick-action grants are being distributed to 310 organizations across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The AARP Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as public places; housing; transportation; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital connections; community resilience; and more.

This year, AARP is also bolstering its investment in rural communities, mobility innovation, transportation options, and health and food access. The program accepted applications across three different grant opportunities, including existing flagship grants in addition to new capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability and community gardens. New demonstration grants will focus on improving transportation systems, with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, and housing choice design competitions.

AARP New York is incredibly proud to have 10 grantees right here in our state. Our goal is to support their efforts to create great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. As local leaders seek to better their communities for the future, this becomes even more critical.

Here in New York, these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

• Fulton Block Builders will receive $2,500 so volunteers can create a community garden by planting flowers, weeding and watering garden plots and hanging colorful banners around a neglected gazebo.
  
• The Town of Woodstock will receive $2,500 for five walk audits at critical intersections and areas of high commercial activity to pinpoint safety concerns and solutions. Two community meetings will be held to discuss results.
  
• Transportation Alternatives will receive $2,500 for a walk audit series along a major waterfront thoroughfare on Staten Island's north shore to evaluate safety infrastructure for pedestrians and propose improvements for a long-term transformation of the route.
  
• Victor Hiking Trails was granted $2,500 to conduct four walk audits in an area known for heavy automobile traffic, with a goal of providing safer and more accessible opportunities for walking and biking to the village’s commercial district.
  
• Suffolk County Economic Development Corporation’s $10,000 grant toward a competition to encourage residents to envision new ways of designing accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which offer a needed form of affordable housing, that can be integrated into neighborhoods.
  
• Brushton-Moira Adult Center will receive $13,149 to renovate a senior center, including updating a kitchen and dining area and installing an outdoor LED sign board.
  
• Fordham University’s Center for Community Engaged Learning will receive $25,000 to convert an underutilized lot into a farmers market that will provide cooking demonstrations and essential services for older adults.
  
• Homeward NYC will use the $12,000 grant to provide free, in-unit Wi-Fi access in affordable housing apartments for low-income and formerly homeless older adults.
  
• Rural Housing Coalition will receive $15,000 to provide training and assistance to nonprofit organizations and community developers to increase the number of municipalities that permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
  
• Syracuse Housing Authority’s $11,000 grant will fund projectors and screens to expand the type and variety of programming, events and activities for residents at six public housing buildings for older adults and people with disabilities.
  

The Community Challenge is part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. We believe that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in New York as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP New York’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.