HEAL Utah Selected as 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Contact:
Lexi Tuddenham
HEAL Utah
lexi@healutah.org, (801) 355-5055
Salt Lake City, UT (Sept 14) – HEAL Utah is proud to announce its selection as a 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee. Out of more than 3,300 applications from across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, HEAL Utah was chosen as one of only 343 grantees.
This prestigious quick-action grant supports HEAL Utah’s mission to foster healthy, equitable, and livable communities in Salt Lake City and beyond. As the state’s population ages, ensuring equitable access to green spaces, public and active transportation, and safe, healthy, livable environments is more important than ever. HEAL Utah’s project focuses on addressing the needs of residents aged 50+ and ensuring their voices are central to city and transit planning.
“We are incredibly proud that AARP selected HEAL Utah for this investment to ensure we have safe and healthy public and active transportation options for residents of all ages,” said Lexi Tuddenham, Executive Director of HEAL Utah. “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.”
The AARP Community Challenge grant program funds innovative, quick-action projects that drive change in areas like public spaces, housing, transportation, digital connectivity, and community resilience. With additional funding from Toyota Motor North America, the program is expanding its focus on pedestrian safety projects to improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, and engage local communities.
AARP’s Livable Communities initiative aims to make neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties great places for people of all ages. The program focuses on safe, walkable streets, affordable and accessible housing and transportation options, access to essential services, and opportunities for residents to participate fully in community life. For more information about the AARP Community Challenge and to explore the 343 projects funded this year, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.
HEAL Utah’s project will use capacity-building events and walk audits to understand and support the transportation needs of residents aged 50+. These efforts will provide meaningful community engagement opportunities, where participants can share their transportation challenges and be involved in local planning decisions. Through this initiative, HEAL Utah will promote public health, clean air, and a safer transit environment while strengthening existing communities and enhancing the features that make neighborhoods unique.
HEAL Utah is excited to offer upcoming events like the Week Without Driving and Community Walk Audits. Residents who participate will have the opportunity to win gift cards and other prizes. For more details and to stay informed about future events, sign up for HEAL Utah’s email list and follow us on social media.
To learn more about HEAL Utah’s involvement in the AARP Community Challenge and upcoming community activities, visit healutah.org/aarp.
About HEAL Utah
The Healthy Environment Alliance of Utah (HEAL Utah) has been an environmental advocacy organization, watchdog, and strategic influencer in Utah since 1999. By empowering grassroots advocates, using science-based solutions, and developing common-sense policy, HEAL has a track record of tackling some of the biggest threats to Utah’s environment and public health — and succeeding. The organization focuses on clean air, energy and climate, and radioactive waste. HEAL uses well-researched legislative, regulatory, and individual responsibility approaches to create tangible change, and then utilizes grassroots action to make it happen.