AARP awards community grants to four Washington State organizations

AARP awards community grants to four Washington State organizations as part of record-breaking year for nationwide program 

Communities across Washington are working each and every day to become more livable for residents of all ages.

In support of that work, AARP is excited to announce the largest number of grantees and funds to-date through the Community Challenge grant program. These “quick action” grants are being distributed to 184 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, smart cities, civic engagement, coronavirus response and more.

AARP Washington 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 and the coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of this work.

Here in Washington these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

• Garden-Raised Bounty - Increase food security, wellbeing, and long-term resiliency during the COVID-19 crisis, gardens will be installed in neighborhoods for households at risk of food insecurity.
• International Community Health Services - Help community members overcome technological barriers during the pandemic, culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach materials will be created to help patients learn how to stay connected to their health care team through patient portals, telehealth, and virtual classes.
• Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners - Signage, placards, and other related equipment will be installed to enhance public safety for a Volunteer Driver Program that provides transport for vulnerable populations.
• Puyallup Area Aging in Community Committee - The committee will use grant funds to create an "Elder-Friendly Business" program to designate area businesses based on criteria of Customer Service, Environment, Access and Discounts.

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 Washington 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 Washington’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.