AARP awards community challenge grants to two Kansas organizations as part of record-breaking year for the nationwide program 

Communities across Kansas are working each and every day to become more livable for residents of all ages.

In support of that work, AARP is excited to announce the largest number of grantees and funds to-date through the Community Challenge grant program. These “quick action” grants are being distributed to 184 organizations across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation, public spaces, housing, smart cities, civic engagement, coronavirus response and more.

AARP Kansas is incredibly proud to have two 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 and the coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of this work.

Here in Kansas, these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

• Coffeyville: Coffeyville's Reawakening Neighborhood Initiative
  By repairing the porches of four neglected dwellings — and finishing them with attractive safety railings and steps, porch swings, plants, birdhouses and more — this "Porchology" project seeks to will impact the way residents think about using their porches to improve their lives, homes and neighborhoods.
  
• Lawrence: United Way of Douglas CountyThe grant will enhance the usability of a successful public bus system for disabled and elderly residents by installing culturally-relevant and artistic bus stop shelters and benches.

CLICK HERE FOR A SPREADSHEET WITH GRANTEE’S INFORMATION AND PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in Kansas 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 Kansas’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable

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.