The 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantees in Massachusetts

About The Challenge

AARP is partnering with local leaders, organizations, and residents to support community improvements through the AARP Community Challenge grant program. In 2024, we are distributing over $3.8 million in quick-action grants to 343 projects across the U.S., including Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year’s focus includes digital connectivity, community resilience, rural communities, addressing disparities, and pedestrian safety projects with additional support from Toyota Motor North America. From the 3.8 million, $126,389 has been distributed across sixteen different communities in the Bay State to fund projects that help these communities increase their overall livability and age-friendliness.

Sixteen Projects across Sixteen Bay State Communities

AARP Massachusetts is incredibly proud to have sixteen projects granted 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.

The program is funding projects across three different grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants, and demonstration grants. Here in Massachusetts, these exciting projects were funded:

· Andover: Andover Elder Services- An intergenerational garden to bring together seasoned and aspiring gardeners in a new collaboration between the Senior Center, Youth Services (AYS), garden clubs and the Andover Pollinator Pathway group. The project seeks to reimagine and expand the existing, on-site garden.

· Belchertown: Belchertown Senior Center- Bench installation along a new and paved walkway located near an assisted living facility and a school. The seating will enable older adults with physical or cognitive challenges to take walks and remain a part of their community.

· Blackstone: Blackstone Parks and Recreation- Working with the Senior Center, Blackstone-Millville Garden Club, local businesses, students, and more, Blackstone Parks and Recreation will build 12 raised beds for older residents to grow their own produce and flowers. The beds would be wheelchair and walker accessible as well as at an appropriate height to allow older residents of all ages and physical ability to do the gardening without bending.

· Boston: Meaningful Occasions- This project will provide technology training for older adults living in affordable housing, with a focus on home tech solutions that allow individuals to safely age in place.

· Cambridge: Green Cambridge- Green Cambridge will conduct walk audits and share the results with community members, local businessowners and municipal agencies to inform streetscape improvements.

· Clarksburg: The Town of Clarksburg- The town of Clarksburg will erect a digital sign in front of town hall to alert residents of upcoming events and emergencies.

· Clinton: Bigelow Free Public Library- The purchase of a GRIT all-terrain freedom chair to accommodate people who would like to be able to access nature.

· Lowell: Bike Connector Inc. Lowell- Providing older adults of Lowell with free, refurbished bikes, bike helmets, locks and lights.

· Merrimac: Merrimac Senior Center- Older adult volunteers of the senior center will conduct a bike audit focused on areas they frequent and assess the condition of sidewalks and paths. Results of this bike audit will inform efforts to implement an e-bike program.

· Monterey: The Town Of Monterey- Purchasing various technology devices to provide internet training for 50+ year old residents with the intention of enabling internet access, promoting personal connectivity and improving digital literacy for Monterey residents 50+.

· New Bedford: Friends of Buttonwood Park- Bench installation along a path in Buttonwood Park to improve accessibility for people of all ages and abilities.

· Pepperell: Pepperell Aid Community Home (PACH) Outreach- An ADA door system attached to the PACH building, which acts as a food pantry for the towns of Pepperell and Dunstable.

· Taunton: Downtown Taunton Foundation- The establishment and enhancement of a walking trail in Downtown Taunton to encourage recreation, fitness, and economic stimulation.

· Watertown: Watertown Department of Senior Services and Council on Aging- An eviction prevention project that offers financial assistance to older residents to put toward rent, home modifications, and cleaning services.

· Wayland: Wayland Council on Aging- The installation of grab bars and motion sensing nightlights in several homes and home safety trainings for older adults to help residents age in place and live in their communities safely and for longer.

· Worcester: Worcester Housing Authority- This project involves the addition of desktop computers to community rooms with free, high speed internet connectivity. Also, Digital literacy courses for older residents and those with disabilities will be provided as part of this project.