Livable Communities

AARP Community Challenge grants are funding multiple projects in Massachusetts, including a new public green space, raised beds with plants for neighbors and an inter-generational dialogue held via Zoom.

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

Three of the Bay State’s cities and a nonprofit received AARP 2019 Community Challenge grants.

TESTIMONY OF AARP

Three projects funded with Community Challenge grants have increased access to transportation, public spaces and affordable housing. The grants were announced last July as part of AARP’s Livable Communities initiative.

AARP is now accepting applications for the 2019 Community Challenge grant program to fund “quick-action” projects that spark change in local communities. The grant program, which is now in its third year, is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which aims to make communities great places to live for everyone.

By Michelle Cerulli McAdams

Boston —Today, AARP announced the awardees for its 2018 AARP Community Challenge grant program, including three recipients right here in Massachusetts.  A total of $1.3 million will be distributed to fund 129 “quick action” projects across the country, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages. Nearly 1,600 applications were received from non-profits and government entities for the program, now in its second year. Each of the projects, which must be completed by November 5, is designed to achieve on one or more of the following outcomes:

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the City of Boston's Commission on Affairs of the Elderly today launched their Age and Dementia-Friendly Business designation, a new pilot program that encourages local businesses to make their spaces and services more inclusive for people of all ages. Today's announcement was held at Local 338 Bagels and Coffee in West Roxbury, one of nine organizations that received the designation today, which includes certificates and decals to mark their business as Age and Dementia-Friendly.