JACKSON,
Miss., July 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AARP has
announced 4 organizations throughout Mississippi will receive 2024 Community
Challenge grants – part of AARP's largest Investment in communities
to date with $3.8 million awarded
among 343 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement
quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by
improving public places; transportation; housing; digital
connections; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages
50 and older.
"AARP Mississippi is committed to working with local leaders,
advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to
live for Mississippians of all ages, especially those 50 and
older," said AARP Mississippi State Director Kimberly L. Campbell, Esq. "We are proud to
collaborate with this year's grantees as they make immediate
improvements to address long-standing and emerging challenges
across our communities."
Here in Mississippi, projects
funded include:
Harrison County Library System: This project will
provide wheeled walkers at three library branches, enabling older
visitors to peruse the shelves independently. In addition, the
library will expand its collection of large print books to give
older patrons more reading choices. The grant amount is
$7,628.
Jackson Heart Foundation: This project will create
hydration stations and rest areas along a walking and biking trail
frequented by older adults. Planned amenities include new water
bottle filling stations, benches, bike racks, trash cans and shade
trees. The grant amount is $18,000.
Laurel-Jones County Library System Inc.: This
project will transform a donated trolley into a mobile library and
technology resource for older adults living in rural areas.
Equipped with laptops, printers and Wi-Fi, this will give residents
online access to health care and financial assistance, technology
classes and other resources. The grant amount is $20,000.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community
College: This project will install outdoor fitness
stations along a walking track popular with older adults. Several
stations will feature ADA-complaint designs. The grant amount is
$20,000.
This year, AARP awarded three different grant opportunities,
including flagship grants, capacity-building
microgrants for improving walkability, bikeability and
accessible home modifications, and demonstration
grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect
communities, housing choice design competitions and improving
digital connections to endure disasters.
With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the
program is increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects
that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian
infrastructure, engage community members and much more. AARP is
also bolstering its investment in community resilience, rural
communities, and addressing disparities.
"Whether it's helping people access high speed internet or
protecting public transit riders from rain and snow, small
community projects can have a big impact on people of all ages,"
said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive
Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. "AARP
Community Challenge grantees make our commitment to creating better
places to live a reality through quick, innovative solutions."
The 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, with an emphasis on people ages 50 and
older. Since 2017, AARP Mississippi has awarded 23 grants and
$328,828 through the program to
nonprofit organizations and government entities across the
state.
AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50
states, Washington, D.C.,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program's
quick-action nature, projects must be completed by December 15, 2024.
View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at
aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP's livable
communities work at aarp.org/livable.
About AARP
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit,
nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and
older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide
presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what
matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and
their families: health security, financial stability and personal
fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation
publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more,
visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow
@AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ronda Gooden
601-898-5417
RGooden@aarp.org
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SOURCE AARP Mississippi