AARP Invests in Communities Across Arizona Through Seven Organizations as Part of Nationwide Grant Program

Communities across Arizona 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 Arizona is incredibly proud to have seven 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 Arizona, these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

• City of Tucson Planning and Development - This project in Tucson, AZ will develop a design competition to promote accessory dwelling units and create a model plan catalog featuring ADUs that support a variety of needs, including for older adults and multigenerational families.
• Elaine - This project in Phoenix, AZ will expand a transportation assistance program that connects older adults to activities that support their health and well-being. The free service prioritizes low-income clients, including people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations.
• Oakwood Creative Care - This project in Mesa, AZ will support seniors experiencing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia with weekly engagement sessions. The program will focus on activities that scientific evidence shows to be beneficial, as well as coaching sessions for family caregivers.
• Southern Arizona Adaptive Sports - This project in Tucson, AZ will expand an adaptive cycling center where people aged 50+ with disabilities can enjoy the physical, emotional and social benefits of cycling.
• St. Luke’s Home - This project in Tucson, AZ will provide needed renovations to an assisted living facility for low-income clients, making it more inviting and accessible for older adults.
• Valley Assistance Services - This project in Green Valley, AZ will provide volunteer transportation services to older adults in a rural community. The organization will recruit, hire and train new volunteer drivers, distribute flyers and initiate community outreach.
• Verde Valley Homeless Coalition - This project in Cottonwood, AZ will teach people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity how to grow their own food, and provide them with a garden space that can increase self-sufficiency and improve diets with fresh produce.

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 Arizona 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 Arizona’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.