AARP challenge grants include four RI organizations

AARP announced the winners of its 2023 Community Challenge. Grants totaling more than $3.6 million will support 310 projects across the country and will support rural and urban communities to be great places to grow up and grow older. The four local organizations receiving grants are:

• Newport: Bike Newport
  This project will support Cycling Without Age, a program that will provide older people and disabled veterans with trishaw rides, piloted by trained volunteers.  

• Providence: Providence Streets Coalition
  This project will support the “Walk, Talk & Chalk” series, which will conduct six walk audits of local neighborhoods and engage community members by using sidewalk chalk to mark recommended infrastructure improvements. 

• Providence: Mount Hope Community Center
  This project will purchase laptops that older residents can use to learn about technology and the internet. It will also provide residents with support and instruction. 

• Providence: West End Community Center
  This project will distribute 200 straw bales – an alternative to contaminated urban soil – so that community members can plant and grow their own vegetables. Capacity-Building Microgrant

Learn more about the other grantees and resources on the AARP Community Challenge Website.