Thanks to a grant from AARP Florida, the Black Empowerment Community Council will be able to expand services to seniors going forward.

The BECC Empowerment Express, a van previous donated to the organization, will be transformed into a “mobile resource hub” thanks to the $15,000 grant. It will be fitted with wi-fi and a wrap, said BECC CEO Tiffany Jeffers, which will then be able to deliver digital literacy, health resources, financial education, and disaster preparedness to over 1,500 older adults in Osceola County.

“This way we can provide that essential service and support directly to the community,” Jeffers said. “What we’d love to be able to do is schedule appointments to provide an online hub of resources – say someone who doesn’t have a computer needs to fill out an online application.

“It’s a vehicle, pardon the pun, to do a little more in the community. There’s just so much potential.”

The BECC was one of 10 groups to receive one of AARP Florida’s Community Challenge grants. Grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands this year, aimed at making communities more livable for people of all ages, with a focus on the needs of older adults.

“AARP Florida is proud to work with 10 communities across the state to help make their areas more livable for people of all ages,” said AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson. “Since 2017, these projects have turned great local ideas into real improvements that make everyday life better, especially for older Floridians. We are excited to see the finished projects and their positive impacts in each community.”