AARP Community Challenge Announces 159 Grantees, Including 3 Louisiana Recipients

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

In support of that work, AARP is excited to be able to provide funding to organizations through the AARP Community Challenge, now in its third year. These “quick action” grants are being distributed to 159 organizations, with at least one in every state, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including right here in Louisiana.

The Community Challenge grants fund innovative projects that can inspire change in areas such as transportation, open spaces, housing, smart cities and more.

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.

After funding 217 projects between 2017 and 2018, AARP has increased its investment to nearly $1.6 million for 159 projects this year.

Here in Louisiana, we are excited about the work that the Community Challenge Grants are supporting this year.

Water Wise Gulf South
Funds will help establish a community orchard and garden to be used as a gathering space for events and green infrastructure demonstration projects.

City of Opelousas
This project will help to create a more vibrant main street through accessible outdoor seating for four public gathering spaces, picnic tables that allow wheelchair access, and ADA-compliant benches.

City of Tallulah
Funds will be used to create new crosswalks designed to beautify the area, help increase physical activity, and draw attention to the crosswalks for drivers who may not be familiar with the area.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in Louisiana as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.

And to learn more about how AARP is working to make communities across Louisiana and across the U.S. more livable for all residents, visit aarp.org/livable.