We have been selected as a 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grantee!

United Way of Mat-Su is thrilled to announce we have been selected to receive an AARP Community Challenge grant. We are one of only 184 grantees selected from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

With this “quick-action” grant, United Way of Mat-Su will work with our local artists, neighbors, community champions, and arts organizations to solicit submissions of permanent, locally and culturally relevant art pieces, to be installed along a local, public trail. These art pieces will enhance our town, in accordance with one of the City of Palmer Parks, Trails and Recreational Areas Master Plan.

Its close proximity to our local senior center, schools, and neighborhoods will make art pieces easily accessible to all ages, celebrating local art, artists, culture and history.

“We are incredibly grateful that AARP selected United Way of Mat-Su to receive this grant,” states Michele Harmeling, Outreach Coordinator for United Way of Mat-Su. “AARP is a nationwide leader on making neighborhoods, towns, and cities more vibrant for all. We are honored that they see the lasting value this project will bring to our community.”

About the Community Challenge

The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation, public spaces, housing, smart cities, civic engagement, coronavirus response and more.

It’s all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation – including all 184 granted projects this year, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all Community Challenge projects and AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.