Building great communities takes time – but small, tangible improvements can spark lasting change. That’s the idea behind the AARP Community Challenge, a grant program launched in 2017 to support quick-action projects that enhance livability nationwide.
Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota workers will have access to Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)—a new state benefit that provides financial support and job protection when you need time away from work to care for yourself or a loved one.
Minnesotans who have been defrauded now have a better chance of financial recovery, thanks to a new bipartisan law championed by AARP Minnesota. The Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund, the first of its kind in the nation, was signed into law in 2025 with strong bipartisan support. This innovative fund will help victims of fraud recover lost money—especially in cases where scammers are untraceable or bankrupt.
Gayle Brown Olson has been awarded the 2025 AARP Andrus Award for Community Service for Minnesota. The annual award is AARP’s most prestigious and visible volunteer award.
AARP MN is proud to honor Hennepin County Commissioner, Angela Conley, during Black History Month. Her dedication and work on issues of livability, housing, equity and inclusion, community services, and civic engagement shows her commitment to a better quality of life in the South Minneapolis community. Conley has spoken at Sabathani and Nokomis AARP Healthy Aging events to join our elders and speak on her work on their behalf.
LaVerne Gilliam, from Shakopee, MN, has been selected to receive the 2020 AARP Minnesota Andrus Award for Community Service, the association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service. AARP Minnesota selected Gilliam for her tireless volunteer work with multiple organizations in the community, including AARP, Second Harvest Heartland, the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, Maplewood Nature Center, Minnesota Wildlife Refuge, and Bike MN.
An Age-Friendly Community includes safe, walkable streets; housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life. In November, more than 500 people attended our virtual conference focused on Building Great Places for People of All Ages. Learn more about Age-Friendly Communities in action and what tools and resources are available to create change where you live. If you were unable to participate you can still access the recordings using these links:
Communities across Minnesota are working to become more livable for residents of all ages. AARP is working across Minnesota in partnership with local leaders, organization, and dedicated residents to help make that vision a reality.
AARP is pleased to welcome Minnesota as the tenth state to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Membership is a commitment to engaging older residents in efforts to improve the state’s infrastructure, systems and social environment. The network provides access to resources and information on age-friendly best practices being developed and implemented in other Age-Friendly states and over 600 communities across the nation.