AARP invests in communities across South Carolina through four organizations as part of nationwide grant program

Communities across South Carolina are working to become more livable for residents of all ages.

AARP is working in partnership with local leaders, organizations and dedicated residents to help make that vision a reality. As part of that effort, AARP is excited to announce the largest investment of grant dollars to date through the Community Challenge grant program. More than $3.4 million in quick-action grants are being distributed to 260 organizations across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation; public spaces; housing; diversity, equity, and inclusion; civic engagement; and more. This year, with additional funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is also increasing its investment in projects that improve mobility innovation and transportation options.

AARP is also bolstering its support of affordable and adaptable housing solutions in response to the national housing crisis, as well as those that address disparities through permanent or temporary solutions. Many of this year’s projects also include ways to help communities leverage funding under the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

AARP South Carolina is incredibly proud to have four grantees right here in our state. Our goal is to support their efforts to create great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. As local leaders seek to better their communities for the future, this becomes even more critical.

Here in South Carolina, these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

• Fort Lawn Community Center in Fort Lawn, SC will use grant to purchase ADA-compliant picnic tables and a gazebo with swings for the town’s mini park and benches for its walking track.
  
• Mill Community Ministries in Greenville, SC will use grant to set up six workbenches complete with tools at a local bike shop to allow riders to do their own repairs. They will also create free videos to aid the amateur mechanics.
  
• The Robinhood Group in Union, SC will provide stipends to residents over 50 who work in a community gardens as well as FoodShare boxes for residents in need.
  
• Transitions Homeless Center in Columbia, SC will provide new equipment and services at the center’s new physical location, including a laptop for processing applications; beds, desks and dressers; and open houses for eligible people and their families.

The Community Challenge is part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. We believe that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in South Carolina as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP South Carolina’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.

  [OE(1] Approved text from Toyota. Do not edit.