AARP Awards Grants to 4 Delaware Organizations as Part of its Nationwide Program to Make Communities More Livable

AARP Delaware announced that four Delaware non-profit and/or governmental agencies will receive AARP Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.4 million awarded among 260 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable in the long-term by improving public places; transportation; housing; diversity, equity and inclusion; digital access; and civic engagement, with an emphasis on the needs of adults age 50 and over.

“AARP Delaware is committed to working with communities to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes,” said State Director Lucretia Young. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for Delawareans 50 and over.”  

She also noted that AARP Delaware proudly collaborates with grant recipients to increase awareness of how the projects give Delawareans more choice as to how they live as they age.

Here in Delaware projects funded include:

• Dover: City of Dover, $5,675 Three bicycle repair stations will be installed along the Capital City Trail and outside the public library.
• Georgetown: Georgetown Public Library, $15,000 Grant funds will be used to create a computer lab that can be used by library patrons and a classroom for computer lessons.  
• Milton: Town of Milton, $12,500 A walking tour map will be published and 12 crosswalks will be painted with colorful designs to slow traffic. 
• Wilmington: Delaware Nature Society, $15,000 Amenities including benches, shade trees and interpretive panels will be added to a new but underused wetland park. Guides will be hired to lead nature walks and help visitors monitor water quality
  

AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by November 30, 2022.

This year, AARP is bolstering its investment of affordable and adaptable housing solutions in response to the national housing crisis. With additional funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is also increasing its support of projects that improve mobility innovation and transportation options.

View the full list of grantees, nationwide, and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.