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AARP Commits $206,980 to Strengthen Nearly 14 Communities Across New Jersey

Grants aims to help residents of all ages, especially older adults, improve how they live, move, and stay connected in their neighborhoods through innovative local projects

AARP

Published June 24, 2026

AARP

[New Brunswick, NJ] —AARP today announced 20 organizations throughout New Jersey will receive 2026 Community Challenge grants. Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, the grants are part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP, doubling last year’s total, to fund 750 quick-action projects nationwide aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults. The funds will support improvements to public spaces, transportation, housing, digital connectivity, disaster preparedness, and other local priorities that help improve social connections and strengthen neighborhoods and towns of all sizes.

“Communities across New Jersey are eager for solutions that boost mobility, connection, and quality of life,” said Chris Widelo, State Director at AARP New Jersey. “Thanks to Community Challenge grants, we’re empowering residents to implement impactful improvements that make a sizable difference.”

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Since 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded $793,916 through 68 grants in New Jersey to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Projects across New Jersey reflect growing demand for practical, local solutions that help residents stay connected, safe and independent, including:

Age-Friendly Leonia plans to hold four preparedness workshops for older adults, covering fire, police, health and weather emergencies. The sessions would teach safety steps and provide go-bags, helping participants prepare for local emergencies.
County of Hunterdon plans to install a wheelchair-accessible bus shelter with seating at a local community complex. The shelter would provide weather protection and improve comfort for older adults using public transit.
Borough of Beachwood plans to conduct two walk audits to review routes linking neighborhoods to Mayo Park and nearby destinations. The findings would support future improvements that make walking safer and more accessible for older residents.
Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus plans to upgrade a greenhouse with gardening supplies, a small outdoor stage to support events. Food production would be added to a community garden. These upgrades will improve planting capacity and allow more community members to participate safely.
Borough of Raritan plans to create a poplar park, which would add shaded seating with backed benches and a rain garden featuring native plants. The project would create a comfortable gathering space and offer hands-on gardening opportunities for residents age 50-plus.
East Orange Health Department would hold disaster preparedness education for 120 residents with emphasis on adults age 50 and older. Participants would receive planning guides and checklists for common emergencies.
I Want to Mow Your Lawn Inc. received two AARP Community Challenge grants. The first will help improve safety for older adults by repairing hazardous front-yard walkways, clearing obstacles, and adding visibility enhancements that make it easier to travel between homes and neighborhood destinations. Through the second grant, volunteers will provide monthly lawn care services while conducting walk audits in two neighborhoods. The information collected will help identify pedestrian safety concerns and inform future improvements to make local streets and sidewalks safer and more accessible.
Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York Inc. plans to fund free bilingual digital literacy classes, which will help immigrant adults age 50-plus learn basic technology skills. Training will focus on online safety, communication, telehealth and everyday digital tools.
Harbor Dreams’ Friends of Mariners Harbor plans to conduct a community walk audit to assess pedestrian safety near downtown Newark streets and park areas. Resident input would guide discussions on accessibility and street safety improvements.
Main Street Bernardsville Inc. plans to create a small green space featuring shaded seating and landscaping will be built near the train station and the farmers market. The space will provide adults age 50-plus with a safe place to rest, socialize and access transit and nearby shops
Mansfield Township Warren County Fire Company Inc. No. 11 plans to send firefighters to older residents’ homes to check for fire risks, improve alarm placement and create simple escape plans. The program focuses on prevention and on helping older adults safely remain in their homes.
Meadowlands Transportation Brokerage Corp’s EZ Ride would install quick-build pedestrian safety upgrades along a busy downtown corridor, including curb extensions, enhanced crosswalks and warning markings. These upgrades would improve crossing safety and walkability for older adults.
Middlesex Borough would distribute emergency readiness kits to residents age 50-plus through the local Senior Center. Kits would include basic supplies and guidance to help older adults prepare for severe weather, power outages and other emergencies.
Newark Performing Arts Corporation’s Newark Symphony Hall plans to hold two sessions to teach disaster preparedness strategies for situations where older adults may be alone. Participants would receive bilingual checklists and basic emergency items.
Saint Peters University Hospital plans to host disaster preparedness trainings to serve older adults living in nearby communities. Participants would receive checklists and starter emergency kits.
The RWJ University Hospital Foundation Inc. plans to have volunteers and adults age 50-plus expand a church community garden by adding raised beds. The garden will grow more fresh produce for a local food pantry and provide hands-on gardening and nutrition education.

Previous Community Challenge grants have delivered long-term impact in New Jersey. In 2025, Walk Bike Ride South Orange and Meadowland Park Conservancy received $3,100 to improve safety for older adults and other visitors to the park and community center by engaging volunteers to paint artistic crosswalks, add green paint to bike lanes, and install delineators on Mead Street.

“America is aging, and most older adults want to stay in the communities they know and love. There are a lot of things that localities can do to support residents of all ages,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “AARP Community Challenge grants help transform local ideas into real improvements— from safer sidewalks and improved transportation options to public spaces that bring neighbors together and enhance community connections. As we celebrate the program’s 10th year, we’re proud to double our investment so even more communities can become great places to live for people at all stages of life.”

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.

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