AARP Awards Community Grants to four Massachusetts organizations as part of another record-breaking year for nationwide program

Communities across Massachusetts are all working to become more livable for residents of all ages.

And, AARP is working across the Bay State in partnership with local leaders, organization and dedicated residents to help make that vision a reality. As part of that effort, AARP is excited to announce the largest number of projects to-date through the Community Challenge program. These quick-action grants are being distributed to 244 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, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, coronavirus response and more.

AARP Massachusetts is incredibly proud to have four 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 as local leaders seek to better their communities for the future, this is even more critical.

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

• Boston: City of Boston The Boston Public Library will add locations to its free, 24-hour Outdoor Wi-Fi Program so people can access high-speed internet services through workstations located outside of library buildings. 
• Boston: Urban Farming Institute of Boston The institute will build and install raised "Grow Boxes" for residents hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic so they can grow fresh, healthy food. 
• Lynn: City of Lynn The funded project will improve public access and amenities and provide arts and cultural programming at two downtown public spaces, enabling safe outdoor gatherings for the community’s diverse population of older adults. 
• Middlesex County: Clear Path for Veterans New England Challenge funds will help in the creation of Clear Path's Memorial Courtyard, which will serve as an outdoor space "where Veterans, families, and the general public can reflect, remember and enjoy the enduring spirit of the United States Military."
  
  

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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts’ livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.