AARP Invests in Communities Across Virginia Through Five Organizations as Part of Nationwide Grant Program

Communities across Virginia 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 Virginia is incredibly proud to have 5 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.

“AARP Virginia is committed to working with communities to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes,” said State Director Jim Dau. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for Virginians 50 and over.”

Here in Virginia, projects funded include:

· Healthy Chesapeake will design an accessible, age-friendly community garden at a local library.
· Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley will develop a Mobile Literacy Lab to deliver technology resources and education to adult learners.
· Union Presbyterian Seminary will improve the trail system in an urban eco-park, making it more accessible to community members of all ages.
· Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic will establish a food pantry and vegetable garden to provide healthy food to patients.
· Blacksburg Regional Art Association will create a "Live Together" mural celebrating the community along a busy pedestrian streetscape.

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 Virginia 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 Virginia's livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.