AARP Awards Four Alabama Organizations with Community Grants as Part of Record-Breaking Nationwide Program 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamie Harding, JHarding@aarp.org, 205-470-1265 

AARP Awards Four Alabama Organizations with Community Grants as Part of Record-Breaking Nationwide Program  

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, AARP announced four Alabama organizations will receive 2020 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest number of grantees to date with more than $2.4 million awarded among 184 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement “quick-action” projects to create more livable communities across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Here in Alabama projects funded include:

• Bush Hills Connections, Inc. in Birmingham will build major enhancements to a community garden.
• The City of Montevallo will install fitness equipment in two public parks.
• The Moulton Lions Club in Moulton will revitalize their downtown area with crosswalks, art, and parklets.
• Via Health, Fitness & Enrichment Center in Mobile will create a public community greenspace for all ages in Midtown Mobile.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Alabama’s grantees as they work to make immediate improvements in their communities, encourage promising ideas and jumpstart long-term change,” shared Candi Williams, AARP Alabama State Director. “Our goal at AARP Alabama is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities and the coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of this work.”

All projects are expected to be completed by December 18, 2020, and are designed to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

• Create vibrant public places by improving open spaces and parks and activating main streets.
• Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options by increasing connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, and access a wider range of transportation choices.
• Encourage the availability of a range of housing by increasing accessible and affordable housing solutions.
• Increase civic engagement and demonstrate the tangible value of “Smart Cities” by bringing together local leaders and residents from all backgrounds to address challenges.
• Support coronavirus response and recovery efforts by ensuring older adults’ access to information, essential services, and civic life.

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP Alabama’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.

# # #

 About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.