AARP Awards Two Virgin Islands Organizations with Community Grants as Part of its Successful Nationwide Program

Today, AARP in The Virgin Islands announced two Virgin Islands organizations would receive 2021 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date, with $3.2 million awarded among 244 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects to promote livable communities by improving housing, transportation, public spaces, civic engagement, and connection with family, friends, and neighbors with an emphasis on the needs of the 50-plus. Many of this year’s awards support revitalizing communities adversely impacted by the pandemic and include a focus on diversity, inclusion, and disparities.

“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with these organizations as they work to make immediate improvements in their communities, encourage promising ideas, and jumpstart long-term change, especially for those age 50 and over,” shared Troy de Chabert-Schuster, AARP-VI State Director. “Our goal at AARP in The Virgin Islands is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities.”

All projects are expected to be completed by November 10, 2021. Here in the Virgin Islands, projects funded include:

• The VI Council on the Arts Mural Project. This project is for the creation of murals by seniors and disabled artists throughout the Virgin Islands.
• The VI Trail Alliance, Inc.  Funds from the grant for this project will be used to create walking and hiking trails, installing signs and maps, and improve seating and parking options near the trails.
  

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. Since 2019, AARP in The Virgin Islands has awarded four grants and $63,500.00 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the territory.

View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.