Livable Communities

AARP has announced the awardees for its 2018 AARP Community Challenge grant program, including four recipients right here in Iowa. A total of $1.3 million will be distributed to fund 129 “quick action” projects across the country, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages. Nearly 1,600 applications were received from non-profits and government entities for the program, now in its second year.

Ribbon cutting event to celebrate week-long beautification project in Historic East Village

AARP Iowa, Greater Des Moines Partnership, City of Des Moines, local businesses teaming up to create age-friendly, healthy, active block

Volunteers Needed: Help us to Build a Better Block!

AARP Iowa State Director Kent Sovern was honored earlier this month with the 2017 Planning Advocate – Engaged Citizen award from the Iowa Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-Iowa) during the Upper Midwest Planning Conference in Dubuque. This award honors an individual who has advanced or promoted the cause of planning the built environment in the public arena.

AARP and the Age Friendly Greater Des Moines Initiative are proud to join with the Downtown Chamber to co-host the April 4th Downtown Council networking event from 8-9 am at the Iowa Cub Club at Principal Park, 1 Line Drive, Des Moines 50309. The meeting is free to all Des Moines Downtown Chamber members and their employees.

March 17, 2017 – Des Moines ¬– Iowa’s first Disrupt Aging Innovation Challenge drew to a close this week as five finalists presented their business concepts to a panel of judges and audience evaluators. The finalists, who were chosen during the Celebrate Innovation! Week8 at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), competed in a “Shark Tank” style event on Thursday, March 16th at Edgewater, a WesleyLife senior living community in West Des Moines.

The City of Des Moines’ efforts to encourage energy efficiency, sustainability and age-friendly practices have earned the city and Mayor Frank Cownie inclusion in the new book, “Where We Live: Communities for All Ages, 100+ Inspiring Ideas from America’s Mayors,” by Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President for Community, State and National Affairs.

Attend Oct. 21 Introductory Session for More Information

AARP Iowa is teaming up with Habitat for Humanity to create a better community. The two programs, Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity's A Brush with Kindness, and the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity's Rock the Block!® work to revitalize neighborhoods while making homes safer, more affordable and accessible.