Community

In Florida’s southwest region, the town of Port Charlotte, known for its beaches, outdoor events, and a community of warm people, is now also home to one of the 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant winners! Peace River Community Housing Partners (PORCH), a local nonprofit, was awarded $16,000 to address the need for affordable housing among older adults in the city.

Tiffany Jeffers is originally from Baltimore, but in Florida, she’s recognized as the unapologetic heartbeat of the Black community in Osceola County. Her organization, the Black Empowerment & Community Council (BECC), founded in 2024, has quickly cemented itself into the fabric of Central Florida—and we're proud to share that BECC is one of just 10 recipients of AARP Florida’s 2025 Community Challenge grant. In a short time, the organization has made a powerful impact by connecting, uplifting, and advocating for the local community.

One of the core tenants of AARP's Livable Communities initiative is providing everyone, regardless of ability, the opportunity to age safely and securely in their own homes. In Jacksonville, a local nonprofit — The Arc, Jacksonville — believes the same. This organization is making incredible strides in advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences, and they are one of 10 winners of the 2025 Community Challenge grant program in Florida!

At the crossroads of Florida's State Route 70 and U.S. Route 17 lies Arcadia, Florida — a small, rural town and one of the winners of AARP Florida's 2025 Community Challenge Grant, a program which funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as public places, housing, transportation, and more.

10 communities across Florida are getting a boost in their work to become more livable for residents of all ages.

In northwest Florida, older residents of Walton County enjoy a special connection with their local sheriff’s office.

Florida is no stranger to hurricane and scam artists. Natural disasters often bring an influx of con artists ready to take advantage of suffering and confusion.

Keeping the balance between being informed and being overwhelmed takes work.

A portable or fixed standby electrical generator can be a big help after a hurricane. But AARP’s Florida state director urged Floridians to take care when using electrical power generators for backup power during power outages as hurricane season ramps up.