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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Grants Program Funds Projects with 'Immediate Impact' on Communities

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Thursday, March 4, 2021   

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Applications are open for AARP's Community Challenge grant program.

The program provides funds for projects that can be produced quickly and make cities and communities more livable for people of all ages.

That includes making public spaces more welcoming, increasing transportation options or supporting local recovery from the pandemic; something especially important this year.

Edward Brewington, volunteer state president for AARP Oregon, explained the program's goals.

"The whole purpose is to try to have an immediate impact in these communities," Brewington emphasized. "And how do you do that? You do it by sort of saying, 'OK, here's an opportunity. What would you like us to do to help you out in terms of staff and volunteers and technical assistance and things like that?'"

The program has been around since 2017 and awarded 560 grants, including 11 in Oregon.

The deadline to apply is April 14. Selected projects must be completed by Nov. 10.

The grants have gone out to a range of communities. According to AARP, 40% of recipients have been in rural communities, 40% in urban and 20% in suburban areas.

Brewington added the organization aims to cater to all different types of places.

"AARP is really here to help communities across the board," Brewington noted. "And I think that the organization continues to become more and more aware of what are the needs of individual communities? Because they vary, they're not all the same."

Last year, three winners in Oregon were chosen. The Milton-Freewater Downtown Alliance used the grants to create a gathering place in the community. The Asian Health and Service Center in Portland expanded its response team for older adults feeling isolated and lonely. And Portland's Metro HomeShare Program, run by the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, supplemented its outreach to low-income homeowners or renters during the pandemic.

Disclosure: AARP Oregon contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families, and Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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