AARP Connecticut is awarding funds to seven groups through its Livable Community Grants program.

Some projects awarded funding include the new internet café at the West Haven Senior Center, shade sails for the outdoor seating at Thrive 55's Active Learning Center and outdoor benches for the Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust's new pavilion.

Kelli Lefler, associate state director of community outreach for AARP Connecticut, said deciding which projects will receive funding is challenging.

"Part of what we look at is how is it impacting the community," Lefler explained. "For a community to really be livable, we want it to be livable whether you're 8 years old or 80 years old. So, if it's just helping one piece of that population, that might not make the cut."

Other considerations are how much impact a project will have, specifically if it benefits a niche audience or the broader community. This year, there were 80 submissions for projects, which Lefler noted all had merits. Once the organizations receive the funding, they have a year to complete the projects with a follow-up report due to AARP Connecticut to see how the project is being used.

Since beginning in 2018, 45 projects in the state have received funding through the program. Typically, the group sees 50 to 75 applications annually, although some are disqualified for not being filled out properly. Lefler added many projects submitted this year were grant-worthy, although they did not make the final cut.

"There was a request for basically like a ramp that a wheelchair can use," Lefler observed. "They place it on the beach and it goes into the water so that wheelchair users have more access to get over the sand and to actually enjoy the water."

She added projects receiving funding can help municipalities make spaces accessible for seniors to age in place.

North Carolina nonprofits are increasing their reach and enhancing services with nearly $1 million in grant funding provided this year by the Coastal Credit Union Foundation.

The latest round, totaling $260,000, is helping community groups promote wellness, deliver fresh produce and offer training in financial management.

Jonathan Tyndall, operations manager for the nonprofit Ripe for Revival, said the funding will help expand its food-distribution program, offering a pay-as-you-go market while also teaching communities how to create nutritious meals.

"Every mobile market that we have comes with a portable cooking cart or education cart," Tyndall pointed out. "Here at Wake Forest we have a volunteer that comes every time we're here and does some type of cooking demonstration. Everybody knows how to eat an apple but maybe not everybody knows how to make a sweet potato smoothie or a butternut soup."

He noted the mobile market in Wake Forest typically serves around 75 people per event, providing up to 42,000 servings of food, while also supporting local farmers by sourcing fresh produce. He added the organization hosts around 20 events each week.

Another recipient, the economic development organization EMPOWERment Inc., is addressing housing affordability in Orange County.

Dolores Bailey, executive director of the group, said rising costs and wage disparities force many low-earning workers to commute from outside communities, highlighting the need for more accessible housing options.

"The need is great," Bailey stated. "Our population that we target is specific. It's intentional. It's those people making $7.50 an hour up to $20 an hour who drive every day into Chapel Hill to work but can't live here."

In addition to funding affordable housing, financial well-being programs and initiatives bridging resource gaps, the foundation awarded $20,000 to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Disaster Relief Fund, which supports credit union employees affected by natural disasters.


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Donations to charities are down this year, including to the Salvation Army. The longstanding organization acknowledges people are not giving their time or dollars this holiday season.

Many nonprofits depend on the generosity of donors to operate. But inflation is hampering those efforts as people are putting their money towards groceries and housing.

Samantha Hyde - Director of Communications for the Salvation Army Indiana Division - said money collected from November and December's red kettle donations funds programs and services for the full year, but they are feeling the pinch.

"Those people who would normally put money in the kettle, who would normally write a check, they might be holding their dollars a little bit closer than they normally would," said Hyde. "What we've seen are just not as many donations in the kettle, not as much money coming in through the mail."

The Salvation Army Indiana Division has 28 worship and service centers and thrift stores throughout the state. Salvationarmyindiana.org lists locations and different ways to help the organization.

Another issue the organization faces is the lack of volunteers, to ring a bell and greet people as they drop their dollars and coins in the signature bright red bucket.

Like many other nonprofits, the Salvation Army was affected during and after the pandemic. Some of their regular bellringers are generally older or retired and standing in the cold puts their health at risk.

Hyde said there is another urgent need.

"We still haven't seen those younger volunteers step up in the way that we really need them to," said Hyde. "People are willing to donate online or are willing to help out virtually. We're seeing fewer and fewer people willing to put a coat on and bundle up and go out there and stand in the cold and smile and say Merry Christmas to people."

A couple of hours are needed to stand at the entranceway of a local grocery or general merchandise store, and say hi to your neighbors as they come and go - and help raise a little money, said Hyde.

About 82% of donations to the Salvation Army go directly to program funding, to help people in need of housing, are facing food insecurity, or are combatting addiction.

A new Texas organization hopes to increase civic engagement among business leaders.

The Texas Business Leader Alliance officially launches today.

Anjanette Wyatt, CEO of Clinical Care Pharmacies in Houston and immediate past president of the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, said the group will focus on several key issues to increase work in the community.

"Economic development, health care, civic participation, cross-sector collaborations, business community partnerships," Wyatt outlined. "All this can really take us a long, long way. We're hoping to impact the communities and private sector by conducting research."

A recent survey of 500 Texas business leaders showed 97% agreed civic engagement is important, and 64% believe businesses should do more.

Twelve business leaders from across Texas make up the advisory board for the Alliance. Wyatt noted she assisted the community following Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. She emphasized members will work together to reach business owners across the state who need help.

"Businesses can make a huge difference in what happens in the community," Wyatt contended. "I think this is a great opportunity for us to prove as business owners that our visibility, our purpose of what's going on in America is very vital."

The survey also addressed the state of democracy in Texas. Among those surveyed, 90% of business leaders expressed concern about the spread of misinformation and 91% said a strong democracy where everyone can participate is crucial to a vibrant economy.


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