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AARP Investing $145,000 in Louisiana Communities Through Expanded Nationwide Grant Program

12 communities across Louisiana are receiving a boost in their efforts to become more livable for residents of all ages.

AARP

Published June 25, 2026

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AARP is proud to announce the 10-year anniversary of the AARP Community Challenge, a decade-long effort to accelerate community improvements through quick-action grants. To make this milestone – and in response to high demand – AARP has doubled the size of the program in 2026, enabling us to support more communities and more high-impact local projects than ever before.

In 2026, $8.3 million in quick-action grants are being awarded to 750 projects across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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The AARP Community Challenge supports innovative projects that create immediate change while paving the way for long-term improvements. Grants focus on priority areas including public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, and more.

Additional 2026 program funders include:

Toyota Motor North America, supporting pedestrian safety initiatives to improve streets and sidewalks nationwide.
Microsoft, funding digital connections projects that expand high-speed internet access and promote broadband adoption.

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Here in Louisiana, AARP is thrilled to support 12 projects that are helping to create great places for people of all backgrounds, ages, and abilities. As local leaders work to create more livable communities, these grants provide essential support – especially in areas where small, flexible investments can lead to big change.

The 2026 program includes three grant types:

Flagship Grants
Capacity-Building Microgrants
Demonstration Grants

2026 Grantees in Louisiana Include:

Train Up A Child Nola (New Orleans) $15,000- Hands-on workshops will teach older adults to use smartphones, emergency alerts and telehealth tools while distributing solar-powered emergency kits.
Cornerstone United Methodist Church (New Orleans) $15,000- Solar-powered computer hub offering peer-led training, telehealth support and basic artificial intelligence learning.
Lafayette Consolidated Government (Lafayette) $15,000- Outdoor upgrades will add shaded seating, a small garden and a gazebo at a Senior Center to support outdoor programs, casual gatherings, and comfortable places to rest, helping neighbors stay active and socially connected.
Move Bunkie Forward (Bunkie) $15,000- The Senior Center will add desktop computers and printers and host hands-on digital training sessions. Participants will practice basic tasks, manage paperwork and access online services more easily in a supportive and familiar setting.
Housing Authority of New Orleans (New Orleans) $15,000- Project will transform underutilized space through a Senior Walk Path design and housing innovation initiative that enhances pedestrian safety, mobility, social connection, and aging in place for older residents within the Fischer Community.
Town of Sibley (Sibley) $15,000- Improvements will enhance the recreation area for the aging population. The addition of tables with canopies will allow seniors to safely extend their exercising time and socialization, thereby enhancing their quality of life.
City of Abbeville (Abbeville) $15,000 -Added crosswalk lighting will reduce crash risk, improve visibility, and create safer crossings, particularly for residents 50+. This project aligns with the City's commitment to a more accessible, age-friendly, and walkable community.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana (Metairie) $5,000 –This project provides bilingual (English/Spanish) programs focused on digital literacy, financial education, workforce readiness, and well-being for older adults.
Town of Welsh (Welsh) $15,000- Install an open-air pavilion with seating and lighting at Veterans Memorial Park to create a safe, accessible gathering space that promotes healthy aging, reduces isolation, and supports social engagement for residents age 50+.
Common Ground Relief, Inc. (New Orleans) $15,000- Hurricane Preparedness Boxes for Older Adults” will provide 150 older adults with 3-days of food and water, a solar/flashlight, and other supplies to support safe sheltering in place before, during, and after severe storms and power outages.
Keep St. Bernard Beautiful (Chalmette) $2500- Keep St. Bernard Beautiful will host two community Walk Audits along Judge Perez Drive to identify barriers to safe walking for residents aged 50 and older. Participants will assess sidewalks, crossings, shade, seating, and signage near key destinations such as the hospital, government complex, and retail centers. Findings will support practical, age-friendly improvements that enhance safety, accessibility, and independence for older adults.
Heart N Hands (New Orleans) $2500- Heart N Hands will conduct structured walk audits along Bayou St. John from Wisner Boulevard to Allen Toussaint Boulevard and Lafitte Greenway in New Orleans. Older adult residents assess sidewalk conditions, lighting, crossings, accessibility barriers. Walkability corridor benefits approximately 20,000 residents directly, supports an estimated 300,000 annual visits by pedestrians/trail users.

The AARP Community Challenge is part of AARP’s broader Livable Communities initiative, which supports neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties in becoming great places for all residents. A livable community is one where people of all ages can thrive, with:

Safe, walkable streets
Affordable and accessible housing and transportation
Access to essential services
Opportunities for people of all ages to engage in community life

To learn more about the AARP Community Challenge – here in Louisiana and nationwide – visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also explore the AARP Livable Communities Map, an interactive tool featuring AARP Community Challenge grantees and members of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.

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