2025 Community Challenge Grants Announced

• City of Earle - This project will enhance Earle's community center into an accessible facility for older adults, featuring mobility-friendly equipment, digital literacy resources, and an expanded food pantry, benefiting residents of Earle and Parkin.  
• City of Elaine - This project will transform an unused pocket park in downtown Elaine into an ADA-compliant Rest and Recharge Station with solar charging stations, seating, and amenities. It will benefit cyclists, pedestrians, and especially residents age 50 and older by promoting accessibility and community engagement.  
• City of Wrightsville - Wrightsville will create a 10-foot side-path from City Hall to Dollar General and turn the overgrown area behind City Hall into an accessible walking path with seating and shade, improving safety and mobility for older adults.  
• VFW Post 7831 - Mammoth Spring will establish a warming and emergency shelter at the VFW property. This project will provide heating, sleeping arrangements, warm clothing, hygiene supplies, food, medical supplies, and trained staff to support older adults and disabled residents during power outages and natural disasters.  
• Howard County - The Howard County Senior Adult Center will install automatic door openers to make the entrance safer and more accessible for older adults using walkers, wheelchairs, and canes.  
• Women’s Own Worth - The project will conduct at least four bike audits in North Little Rock areas, including Argenta, Lakewood, Park Hill, and Indian Hills. Older volunteers from local biking groups will be recruited for the audits. Two meetings will be held with participants, residents, and the city to discuss the results and future planning.   

“AARP Community Challenge projects may be quick to launch, but their impact is long-lasting,” said Nancy A. LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “We’re proud to support communities nationwide to advance solutions that make neighborhoods and towns of all sizes better places to live where everyone can thrive. And this year, we’re particularly proud to invest in projects benefiting often overlooked rural areas.”

View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge. Learn more about AARP’s work to support livable communities at aarp.org/livable.