AARP Vermont

Erin Boyd of South Burlington has been appointed as Senior Operations Associate at AARP Vermont. In her position she will be responsible for budget analysis and financial management, office operations and event coordination across the state. She will support AARP’s work around advocacy, outreach and education and community service to include social impact campaigns that improve the quality of life for all Vermonters as they age.

The AARP Livable Community Team recently posted a series of photo albums, focused on AARP Community Challenge grant recipients around the country. The AARP Community Challenge has helped communities raise awareness about the need for local streets to be safe for all users, especially pedestrians.

AARP Vermont helped pass a new law that exempts more Vermonters and veterans from paying state tax on their Social Security benefits

AARP Vermont will offer three virtual technology classes about streaming services and smartphones.

Complete Streets are streets designed for all modes of transportation, allowing people of all ages and abilities to walk, bike, use public transit and drive. It is an approach to planning, designing, building, operating, and maintaining streets that enables safe access for all people who need to use them, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders (Smart Growth America).

Winter Placemaking Projects Promote Livability for All Ages

Sophie Quest, of Burlington, has received AARP’s top volunteer award, the Andrus Award for Community Service.

AARP Makes Long-term Investment in Burlington’s Healthwith New Fitness Park AARP Vermont and the City of Burlington opened an AARP Sponsored Outdoor Fitness Park in Burlington’s New North End in July as a long-term investment in the health of residents.

Editor’s note: This commentary is by Beth Stern, of Marshfield, who is executive director of Central Vermont Council on Aging.

AARP Vermont is collaborating with Team Better Block to implement a Community Demonstration Project in one Vermont community in 2016. The $15,000 initiative is an approach to revitalization that begins with temporarily transforming a single block into a vibrant destination that illustrates the potential for new business, safer streets and improved livability. Typically, cities have used their Better Blocks to set up farmers’ markets, beer gardens, bookstores and fruit stands. They’ve built swings and climbing areas, set up trampolines and presented school plays, local dance troupes and open-mike musicians. They often lead to more permanent neighborhood improvements.