AARP invests in communities across Kansas through five organizations as part of nationwide grant program 

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

• The Kansas Learning Center for Health, Inc., Halstead, $18,200, for swings and benches to create a welcoming space to promote community wellness;
  
• Newton Murals & Arts Project, Newton, $17,100, to create a mural next to the train station featuring historical figures encouraging social connection between generations through storytelling and remembrances of history;
  
• Rossville Community Foundation, Rossville, $15,000, for an outdoor exercise and recreational trail for persons of all capabilities.;
  
• Home Works USA, Lawrence, $2,500, to create a community garden that is intergenerational and age-friendly; and
  
• Thrive Allen County, $2,500, to improve the existing Humboldt community garden making it more accessible to older residents.
  

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 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' livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.