Age Friendly Windham receives AARP Community grant

The Town of Windham has announced that Age Friendly Windham has been selected to receive a 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant. It is one of only 343 grantees selected out of 3,300-plus applications from across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The AARP Community Challenge grant program funds innovative, quick-action projects that inspire change in areas such as public places, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, community resilience, and more. With additional funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, the program is also increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members and other significant projects.

This grant project will recruit, train, and provide incentives to Age Friendly Windham volunteer drivers to support a new on-demand ride service. Transportation options are currently limited for residents who cannot drive or don't have a car to get to medical appointments -- or anywhere else.

“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected AFW for this investment to make Windham more livable for residents of all ages,” said Erica Bell-Watkins, Windham Age Friendly coordinator. “AARP is a nationwide leader in making communities more livable and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our area.”

With this quick-action grant, Age Friendly Windham will expand their transportation pilot program, AFWRides which recently celebrated its 100th ride provided to town residents.

Windham launched the transportation program in January to enhance accessibility to healthcare services for older adults residing in Windham. Age-Friendly Windham offers free transportation to medical appointments within the Greater Portland area. This program aims to address the challenges faced by seniors in accessing healthcare, particularly those with limited mobility or transportation options.

AFW is part of AARP's Network of Age-Friendly Communities and was adopted as an official AARP network by the Town of Windham in January 2019. AFW advocates for a livable community for all ages by adopting such features as safe, walkable streets; better housing and transportation options; access to key services; and opportunities for all residents to participate in community activities.

Providing free medical rides is one step toward feasible transportation options, Bell-Watkins said.

We ask for at least a 48-hour notice so we can ensure there is a driver available for you,” Bell-Watkins said.

As AFW continues to grow this initiative, it is the program’s goal to expand transportation options beyond medical appointments including other transportation needs for older adults, such as hair appointments, library events, Windham Parks and Recreation Department activities, and other town-wide happenings.

“AARP Maine is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for Mainers of all ages, especially those 50 and older,” said Noël Bonam, AARP Maine State Director. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements to address long-standing and emerging challenges across our communities.”

Bonam said that the grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages, with an emphasis on people ages 50 and older. Since 2017, AARP Maine has awarded 71 grants and $472,438 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

To request a ride, please call and leave a message at 207-892-4649 and someone will return your call as soon as possible.

For further information about this program or other inquiries about Age-Friendly Windham, send an email to Erica Bell-Watkins at eabellwatkins@windhammaine.us. <