AARP New York Awards 2026 Community Challenge Grant to JASA

JASA today announced it has won an AARP Community Challenge grant to transform the underutilized backyard at Positively 3rd Street, an affordable senior housing building in Manhattan’s East Village, into a safe, accessible and welcoming outdoor space for older residents. Marking the program’s 10th anniversary, the $14,900 grant is part of an $8.3 million commitment by AARP, doubling last year’s total to fund 750 quick-action projects nationwide aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, especially older adults.

The grant will support upgrades including the installation of durable, senior-friendly seating; shaded coverage through a new pergola structure; and new landscaping with low-maintenance plants and greenery. The project is expected to directly benefit all 80 residents of Positively 3rd Street, all of whom are age 62 and older.

“Safe, accessible outdoor space is not a luxury for older adults — it is essential to health, dignity and connection,” said Gayle M. Horwitz, CEO of JASA. “At Positively 3rd Street, this grant will help create a welcoming green space where residents can gather, garden, stay active and build community right where they live. We are grateful to AARP for recognizing that livable communities begin with the everyday places that help older New Yorkers thrive.”

Located in a neighborhood with limited nearby parks and accessible green space, Positively 3rd Street serves low-income older adults, many of whom face mobility challenges that make traveling to distant public spaces difficult. The project will improve the building’s 2,925-square-foot backyard by creating a shaded, ADA-accessible gathering space residents can enjoy from the safety of home.

The project will also include the formation of a tenant Garden Committee, which will work with JASA staff and volunteers on light planting and ongoing garden activities. Residents will help plant seasonal annuals, maintain herbs and flowers, and support the long-term care of the outdoor space in coordination with building staff.

Access to safe outdoor spaces is directly linked to improved mental health, reduced social isolation, increased physical activity and lower stress levels among older adults. Shade structures are also increasingly important in helping reduce heat exposure for older New Yorkers during warmer months.

“Communities across New York are eager for real solutions that boost mobility, connection, and quality of life,” said AARP State Director Beth Finkel. “JASA’s project will bring real improvement to New York City by transforming an unused outdoor area into an accessible space where older residents can relax, socialize, and stay connected to their neighbors.”

The project timeline includes vendor selection and resident engagement, installation of the pergola, furniture and landscaping, and an unveiling picnic for residents over the summer. Ongoing maintenance will be folded into regular building operations, with tenant and volunteer participation through the Garden Committee.

The AARP Community Challenge is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports projects that make tangible improvements in communities and help them become great places to live for people of all ages.

Since 2017, the AARP Community Challenge has awarded $973,688 through 87 grants in New York to nonprofit organizations and local government entities across the state. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. View the full list of grantees and their projects at aarp.org/communitychallenge.

About JASA

JASA is the go-to agency serving older adults in New York City, providing critical services to more than 40,000 people annually. Founded more than 50 years ago, JASA is a leading expert and innovator in aging services that recognizes the diversity among the aging population and honors older adults as vital members of society. JASA’s life-changing support services, interventions and partnerships promote aging with purpose and provide autonomy for older adults to remain in their homes and communities. JASA operates affordable housing properties and offers a breadth of integrative services citywide, including legal services, health and mental health services, home-delivered meals, social programming at older adult centers, community trainings on elder abuse, caregiver assistance and more. Learn more at www.jasa.org.

About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality

products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP

produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To

learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

The AARP Community Challenge is a grant program to make tangible improvements in communities that jump-start long-term change. It 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. To learn more, visit AARP.org/Livable.