AARP Awards Four Oklahoma Organizations with Community Grants

AARP announced four Oklahoma organizations will receive 2020 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest number of grantees to date with more than $2.4 million awarded among 184 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement “quick-action” projects to create more livable communities across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Oklahoma’s grantees as they work to make immediate improvements in their communities, encourage promising ideas and jumpstart long-term change,” said AARP Oklahoma State President Joe Ann Vermillion. In Oklahoma, the four organizations awarded grants include;

• City of Grove- This project will install pedestrian-controlled crosswalk signals with flashing beacons to enhance public safety, improve the walkability of the downtown area, and provide safer access to the community’s senior center. Grove Assistant City Manager Debbie Bottoroff said, “With unique businesses and activities in downtown Grove, pedestrian traffic is becoming more popular.  These improvements will provide opportunities for residents and visitors to safely engage in the community.”
  
• Fairview Regional Medical Center Authority- This project will help provide remote monitoring cardiac rehabilitation for persons who have had recent cardiac events and are of low to moderate risk of complications at home. Roger Knak, Fairview Regional Medical Center CEO, explains the importance of funding this project. “Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause for loss of life in rural America. Fairview Regional Medical Center is excited to partner with AARP to provide a remote cardiac rehab program where people can participate in a monitored program at home.  Currently, there are no known rural, remote cardiac rehab programs in the U.S. however, they are very prevalent in other parts of the world. We anticipate that through this partnership, we can provide a proof of concept on remote cardiac rehab that can be replicated across the county, impacting not only rural Oklahomans but rural America.”
  

• Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG)- In partnership with This Machine Tulsa bike share, this project will implement a free healthy food delivery service pilot in Tulsa. "It is the goal of This Machine Tulsa Bike Share to make cycling accessible and part of every-day-life for all Tulsans. What better way to integrate cycling in everyday tasks than with a grocery delivery partnership with AARP to deliver healthy, essential groceries to the homebound and elderly," said Katie Sawicki, This Machine Tulsa executive director. 
  
• Main Street Enid, Inc.- Traffic calming elements, including artistic crosswalks painted by local artists, will be deployed to improve the walkability and safety of the Downtown area for residents. Main Street Enid, Inc. Executive Director Natalie Beurlot said, “Downtown Enid takes pride in being an arts district and having the opportunity to add art that also increases visibility is very important to us. We are so excited to implement crosswalk art throughout the Downtown Enid square in efforts to help with walkability and pedestrian safety.”
  

“Our goal at AARP Oklahoma is to support our communities' efforts to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. The coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of this work,” said AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl.

Projects are expected to be completed by December 18, 2020. They are designed to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

• Create vibrant public places by improving open spaces and parks and activating main streets.

• Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options by increasing connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, and access to a wider range of transportation choices.

• Encourage the availability of a range of housing by increasing accessible and affordable housing solutions.

• Increase civic engagement and demonstrate the tangible value of “Smart Cities” by bringing together local leaders and residents from all backgrounds to address challenges.

• Support coronavirus response and recovery efforts by ensuring older adults have access to information, essential services, and civic life.

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, helping communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP Oklahoma’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.