Need help solving a URL Redirection issue

Hello!

I’m helping with a website that was recently redesigned. During the redesign, some URL’s were dropped. I want to make sure those URLs are permanently redirected to a new URL on the site. I’m using .htaccess file to create the redirects.

OLD URL (that does not exist anymore): https://www.project-equity.org/programs/worker-coop-academy/
NEW URL (destination URL): https://www.project-equity.org/communities/

The redirect I have created in .htaccess is not working because instead of generating a 404 NOT FOUND for the OLD URL it is being automatically redirected to another URL which is giving a ‘This site cannot be reached’ error.
This is the URL that is being automatically redirected to: https://www.project-equity.orgworker-coop-academy/

As you can see the trailing ‘/’ at the end of .org is missing and hence the browser is treating it as domain and hence the ‘Site cannot be reached’ error.

Do anyone have an idea what is happening here?
How do I bypass this automatic redirect and end up at the NEW/DESTINATION URL?
Is it possible to correct it so the missing ‘/’ at the end of .org is added to the URL?

I have searched through several forums but have not been able to find a solution.

Thank you for your help!

Madhu