AARP Foundation

2020 AARP Foundation Celebration of Service

During the month of September, AARP Foundation is looking for volunteers to help our neighbors in need by delivering over 2 million servings of food to Capital Area Food Bank.

Volunteer from Home: Meal Pack Challenge 2020

Every year since 2015, AARP Foundation’s annual Celebration of Service has engaged thousands of volunteers on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to pack nutritious meals for hungry older adults.

This year, the Meal Pack Challenge will look very different, but the need is just as great. We’re inviting volunteers to pack meals safely at home and send them to the Capital Area Food Bank for distribution, with the goal of packing 25,000 boxes — that’s more than 2 million servings of food for older adults who are struggling more than ever because of the pandemic.

Visit mealpackchallenge.org to sign up!

Connect2Affect: Stay Connected United Health Foundation Joins AARP Foundation in Initiative to Support Seniors During the Covid-19 Crisis

Lisa Marsh Ryerson, AARP Foundation President

Finding Ways

Read AARP Foundation President Lisa Marsh Ryerson’s latest statement on a rapid response to provide emergency food assistance.

Stuck at Home (together)

Stuck at Home (together) provides resources and tools to encourage and enable social connection.

AARP Foundation Physical Distancing Doesn't Have to Mean Socially Disconnecting

Staying Socially Connected

The coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic is challenging us all to adapt to new ways of thinking and behaving.

How Connected Are You?

Visit Connect2Affect to assess your risk of social isolation and to check out other helpful resources.

With your generous support this past year, we took a giant step toward our vision of a country free of poverty where no older person feels vulnerable.

Staying Power: A Legacy of Results

For nearly 60 years, AARP Foundation has been fighting to improve the lives of older adults whose struggles are often hidden in plain sight. In 2019, we continued to build on proven programs and expand into new locations. Talking with communities to help uncover their challenges. Helping more people. Working to change the systemic structures that limit opportunity.

We extend the reach and impact of our efforts to fight senior poverty by making grants to a wide variety of organizations dedicated to missions to improve the lives of vulnerable and struggling older adults. We enable grantees to help more people, work more efficiently, make resources go further, and bring proven new approaches to scale.

You can read our 2019 Annual Report here.

For older adults who are struggling, food security isn’t just about having access to enough food — it’s about having information about and access to the nutritious foods that provide the best chance of staying healthy as we age. AARP Foundation has programs and services designed to give vulnerable older adults more opportunities to maintain a nutritious, affordable diet.

SNAP Application Assistance

AARP Foundation is helping to increase enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for eligible older adults so they can receive and use SNAP benefits to buy healthy food — affordably.

MyPlate for Older Adults

With the help of Tufts University, AARP Foundation developed a version of the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans that’s specifically tailored to the nutritional needs of people over the age of 50.

Workforce Assistance and Financial Resilience Programs See More

A rapidly changing economy and technological advances are fundamentally altering the nature of work — and that makes it more crucial than ever for older adults to learn new skills that will help them compete for today’s in-demand jobs. AARP Foundation equips older adults with the resources, know-how and training they need to unlock economic opportunity and build financial resilience.

BACK TO WORK 50+

BACK TO WORK 50+ provides the training and tools needed to compete with confidence for today's in-demand jobs.

Mature African-American man, AARP representative, AARP Foundation, Senior Community Service Employment Program

AARP Foundation SCSEP

55 or older, unemployed and looking for work? Find out how we can help.

Work for Yourself@50+

Download the Work for Yourself@50+ toolkit to get started on your self-employment journey.

Status of Local Programs and Workshops

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, AARP Foundation is prioritizing the health of those we serve and the community at large. All of our in-person events are on hold for now, based on local health guidance.

The following programs are affected:

AARP Foundation Experience Corps - Although in-person volunteer tutoring is currently suspended, all of our programs are moving toward providing virtual tutoring this fall. For additional information, please contact your local program office.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) - As of now, SCSEP participants will be on paid leave until further notice. Project directors will continue to operate the program remotely, and further decisions will be made as circumstances dictate.
Work for Yourself@50+ - With in-person workshops on hold for now, several of our community partners are hosting Work for Yourself@50+ workshops online. Please visit Work for Yourself@50+ to register for an online workshop.
BACK TO WORK 50+ - In-person workshops have been suspended for now; please call 855-850-2525 to find out about the availability of online workshops in your area.

General announcements about AARP Foundation and its services will be updated on this page. Be sure to follow CDC guidelines (as detailed at cdc.gov) while participating in any AARP Foundation programs and services.

Find Help

Find the Local Help You Need

You can quickly and easily find help available in your own community through our Find Help page.

AARP Foundation and Chase Financial Technology for Older Adults

Manage Your Money from Home

Access free, easy-to-use financial technology tools from AARP Foundation and Chase. ·

Workforce and Finance Resilience

If you’re out of work call our free Work Resources Hotline at 1-855-850-2525 for information about programs and services that can help get you back to work and connect you to community resources.

Help During the Coronavirus Crisis

We may be isolated, but we don’t have to be alone. AARP Community Connections offers steps to find help – or give it – during the coronavirus pandemic.

Innovation at AARP Foundation See More

In 2020, we continue to enhance tools designed to equip low-income older adults with skills and resources to increase financial stabiliy and connection to their communities.

AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide

AARP Foundation Property Tax-Aide is a comprehensive solution that enables low-income older adults to age in place by providing access to property tax refund and credit programs.
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Connect2Affect Connected Communities

Connected Communities is a voice-activated assistant and community management platform that empowers resident services coordinators to help residents be happier, healthier, and more connected. Learn more