AARP Massachusetts Announces Age Friendly Mini-Grant Awardees

AARP Massachusetts announced the awardees for its 2018 Age Friendly Mini-Grants program.  Seven winners across the state were awarded grants for age-friendly projects, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages. Each of the projects, which must be completed by November 30, 2018, is designed to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

• Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability, and/or access to public and private transit.
• Create vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities.
• Support the availability of a range of housing that increases accessible and affordable housing options.
• Address other issues of importance for communities.

AARP Massachusetts Age Friendly Mini-Grant award winners:

• Revitalize Community Development Corporation, Springfield: received $10,000 in grant funds for five renovation projects designed to reduce falls and other injuries among seniors. Projects will include installing handicap accessible ramps, hand rails and step repairs.
• City of Worcester, Division of Elder Affairs: received $3,000 in grant funding to develop a respite program for family caregivers of those with dementia in Worcester County.
• YMCA Southcoast, Dartmouth: received $2,014 in grant funds to construct six raised garden beds to promote volunteerism, cultivate awareness of hunger, and provide nutrition information to children, families, and seniors in need of food assistance on the south coast of Massachusetts.
• Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Dalton: received $10,000 in grant funds for a senior exercise trail that will feature outdoor exercise equipment and improved access to outdoor recreation and exercise for the residents of Berkshire County and the town of Dalton.
• Department of Health and Human Services, Needham: received $4,300 in grant funds to create a semi-permanent display about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) in order to raise awareness and prompt long-term housing change. The display is meant to engage residents, town staff, and partner organizations to start the discussion around the potential benefits of ADU’s.
• Town of Duxbury: received $10,000 in grant funds to install a new ADA-accessible 1/4 mile walking loop outside the Duxbury Senior Center, which will provide a new public space for residents of all ages and abilities to meet, walk and enjoy the outdoors.
• Livable Dedham: Received $6,500 in grant funds to fund two Age Friendly Ambassador positions to promote and increase community involvement in age-friendly efforts in Dedham.

 

“AARP Massachusetts is pleased to provide additional funding in the form of mini-grants to make our communities great places to live for everyone.  The winning mini-grant projects will make long-lasting, positive and impactful change,” said Mike Festa, AARP Massachusetts State Director.

 

To learn more about AARP’s livable communities work in communities across the country, please visit www.aarp.org/livable.