AARP Awards “Challenge Grants” to 159 Communities Across the Country
Three Oregon communities will get a chance to spark new solutions for livable communities thanks to grants from AARP. “AARP Community Challenge Grants fund projects that can inspire change in areas such as transportation, open spaces, housing, smart cities and more, said AARP State Director Ruby Haughton-Pitts. “It’s exciting to see the creative ways cities and nonprofits can use some seed money to enliven their communities.”
AARP awarded grants totaling nearly $1.6 million across 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. “We’re happy to announce the Oregon winners which include the cities of Salem and Talent and the nonprofit Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon,” Haughton-Pitts said.
Talent Maker City will create innovative programs that include older adults in intergenerational learning opportunities. Building on City of Talent's status as an officially designated "Bee City," the program will have a fun pollinator theme and support proliferation of and interest in pollinator gardens in the city. Participants will learn introductory carpentry, ceramic and screen printing skills, while gathering in a vibrant downtown Talent makerspace facility with other curious minds of all ages.
"Talent Maker City has been offering intergenerational workshops in Southern Oregon since 2016, as part of our commitment to collaborative learning opportunities for curious minds of all ages. We are thrilled to have AARP's generous support of our inclusive effort to cultivate an age-friendly community in Talent, Oregon through hands-on creativity." Ryan Wilcoxson, Executive Director.