The Good Life - Travel, Leisure & Fun for South Valley Adults

More than 3,600 applications were received from nonprofits and government entities across the country for the seventh annual AARP Community Challenge, resulting in a highly competitive selection process.

About $3.6 million is being distributed to fund 310 quick-action projects across the country, helping urban, rural and suburban communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages.

One of the grant winners is the Rural Communities Resource Center (RCRC) in Orosi. Its project will recruit volunteers aged 50+ to conduct six walk audits along two busy traffic corridors. The organization will host two community meetings to discuss how to use the data to increase street safety.

The center was motivated by a tragedy that occured in 2022.

"Last year, our good friend and volunteer Virginia Aniag was killed in a hit-and-run incident at the intersection of Avenue 416 and Road 125 in Orosi," reported the Rural Communities Resource Center's Facebook page. "This is still an unsolved case... Virginia, a senior, was crossing the street to her apartment when she was struck and killed by a white SUV that sped away."

The RCRC has already used AARP grant money to conduct two walk audits in Orosi. After its second walk audit in August, the center presented its findings to public officials.

AARP Community Challenge

In 2023, the AARP Community Challenge will fund projects across three different grant opportunities, two of which were new this year, in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Grants will improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of those 50+.

AARP is also bolstering its investment in rural communities, mobility innovation, transportation options, and health and food access.