AARP Eye Center
AARP Commits Thousands of Dollars
to Strengthen Seven Communities Across Rhode Island
$63,000 in grants aims to help residents of all ages, especially older adults, improve how they live, move and stay connected in their neighborhoods through innovative local projects
PROVIDENCE, RI, June 18, 2025 -- AARP today announced that seven organizations and municipalities throughout Rhode Island will receive 2025 Community Challenge grants.
The grants are part of AARP’s $4.2 million commitment to fund 383 quick-action projects aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults. The funds will support efforts to improve public places, transportation, housing, digital connections, and other key areas.
Now in its ninth year, the Challenge has awarded $333,000 through grants in Rhode Island to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“AARP Rhode Island is proud to work with communities across the state to help make them more livable for people of all ages,” said State Director Catherine Taylor. “These projects are about turning great local ideas into real improvements that make everyday life better, especially for older Rhode Islanders.”
Here in Rhode Island, projects funded include:
Age-Friendly PVD
To conduct four walk audits in areas of Providence with a high density of older residents to identify unique pedestrian safety challenges. Volunteers from these areas will participate.
Community Libraries of Providence
To install handrails along the concrete ramp and stairs at Knight Memorial Library, enhancing safety and accessibility for older adults and individuals using canes, walkers, or wheelchairs.
Roger Williams Park Conservancy
To host two car-free days in Roger Williams Park to promote walking, hiking, and other slow transportation methods. This will create a safer, more inviting space for all visitors, especially those age 50 and over.
East Bay Community Action Program
To create an accessible community garden at the East Providence Senior Center, supported by older adult and community volunteers. It will provide fresh produce to seniors, offer on-site cooking classes, and culminate in a Community Thanksgiving Meal using the garden's harvest.
West End Community Center
To teach older adults at the West End Community Center about Straw Bale Gardening, a cost-effective method to grow vegetables safely despite contaminated soil.
City of Central Falls
To enhance River Island Park with shade structures and other amenities to support active and healthy aging.
Friends of Jamestown Seniors, Inc.
To improve home safety for people age 50 or over through three avenues: community-based home safety education sessions featuring the AARP HomeFit Guide, home safety visits offered after rescue calls and to attendees, and free easy-to-install safety items.
“AARP Community Challenge projects may be quick to launch, but their impact is long-lasting,” said Nancy A. LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer.
“We’re proud to support communities nationwide to advance solutions that make neighborhoods and towns of all sizes better places to live where everyone can thrive. And this year, we’re particularly proud to invest in projects benefitting often overlooked rural areas.”
View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP Rhode Island’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/RILivable.
In 2024, AARP Awarded 2024 Grants to Five Organizations in Rhode Island
Progreso Latino, Central Falls
Weatherize the outdoor activities community pavilion for use during rain and windy days. Waterproof the sunshade canopy and add retractable curtains.
Recycle a Bike, Providence
Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options for residents (especially those 50-plus) through solutions that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability and access to public and private transit. Funds will pay to refurbish bikes, buy accessories and parts, transport to events and other expenses.
Federal Hill House, Providence
Funding for the purchase of grocery carts and reusable bags to distribute to pantry guests who access their food pantries on foot. Food may be prohibitively heavy and difficult to carry, especially for older adult guests.
Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Providence
Enhance digital connectivity to prepare and respond to disasters for residents, especially those age 50- plus. The project seeks to enhance digital literacy skills among adult and older residents, while at the same time expanding access to much needed hyper-local data toward empowerment, emergency preparedness and climate resilience.
Bristol Parks & Recreation Bristol
Implement walk audit assessments to enhance safety and walkability in the Town of Bristol, especially people age 50-plus, with support from America Walks and using the AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit.
2023 AARP Grants
Bike Newport
Cycling Without Age ride is a powerful opportunity for pilots and participants to connect in conversation with each other. Bike Newport will target two principal populations: Disabled veterans of all ages and senior veterans. Bike Newport will collaborate with the Rhode Island Chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center in Bristol, RI, to connect with participants and schedule ride outings utilizing an electric-assist trishaw called “The Chat”. This project will counteract isolation and provide outdoor adventure and camaraderie for people 50-plus and disabled veterans through piloted rides, with trained volunteer pilots.
Mount Hope Community Center (MHCC)
The Mount Hope Community Center hosts a weekly seniors' group that has expressed a desire for access to computers to help them stay connected with family and friends, access online resources, and learn new skills. To meet this need, MHCC will use grant funding to purchase laptops and create a more modern computer lab for its seniors. This project will provide access to technology and trainings to improve our seniors' quality of life, reduce feelings of isolation, and promote independence and engagement.
Providence Streets Coalition (PVD Streets)
"Walk, Talk & Chalk" will bring people over 50 and civic leaders together to sketch out - literally - the plan for improving safety, mobility, and access for people of all ages and abilities in Providence. Using AARP’s Walk Audit Toolkit, PVD Streets will organize six walk audit assessments in Providence this year. Each event will focus on bringing residents over 50 out for a walk/roll with city planners, elected leaders, and neighborhood organizers.
West End Community Center
This project will distribute 200 straw bales to participating community members, demonstrating how simple safe and cost effective it can be to grow their own vegetables using this revolutionary urban agricultural method. Last summer the organization built a straw bale garden consisting of 10 bales next to its parking lot where community interest resulted in people coming together in caring for the garden and sharing in its harvest.
About AARP Rhode Island
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