CCS Launches New Wheels To Work Program
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Combined Community Services, Warsaw, is launching Wheels to Work, a community outreach program to help those who need transportation.
Jim Coons, CCS director, said the program is a helping hand to community members who need transportation to work, to school, to child care, to the grocery store, etc., and will empower the community, creating energy and excitement among individuals helping "someone be able to make it on their own."
Coons said Wheels to Work began in Bartholomew County, in southern Indiana. They received a grant through the Department of Transportation and sent out informational mailings and videotapes to every county in Indiana.
CCS reviewed the starter package and decided to get "on the road to success" with the Wheels to Work program. Coons said Kosciusko County is the second county in Indiana to launch the program.
"We're going to need a lot of support out in the community to make it," Coons said. "It is a very important program."
"We're not asking you to do it for free," Darlene Redinger, CCS director of development, said. "We're asking you not to do it for a profit."
And what CCS is asking for is a community collaboration that will benefit everyone who gets involved.
CCS will first look for qualified applicants, then give them a priority number, and when a donated vehicle comes in, the title will be transferred to CCS and the vehicle will be checked for necessary repairs. Then the chosen applicant will receive the automobile and the title will be transferred over to them.
So far, CCS has two qualified recipients "now dying for a vehicle," Redinger said.
"We're projecting 60 cars in the first year," Coons said. He hopes to have the grassy lot in front of CCS filled with donated automobiles for qualified applicants.
"Our goal is to fill that green spot out here with cars," Coons said.
To get the program started and to fill the lot, CCS needs $12,000.
"We're hoping to find a business partner or several to step forward and help us launch this program," Coons said. CCS needs partnerships in automotive repairs, wrecking, banking, automobile donors and referrals. He said the government may pay to fix a car not repairable for someone else, so donating any automobile is important.
Once automobiles are donated, qualified recipients will be chosen. Coons said a qualified recipient will pay approximately $80-90 a month for their automobile. And, if the donated vehicle becomes unrepairable, a new one will be given to the recipient with the balance already paid on the first vehicle applied to the new one. "We guarantee them an operating vehicle for a year," Coons said.
The vehicles are sold to clients at a reduced price. "It's very important that they have a reduced investment in (their) vehicle," Coons said. "This is all part of that learning process - teach them responsibility (to) take care of (a) vehicle."
The idea behind Wheels to Work is "not to give to people, but also have people take responsibility" and maintain donated automobiles with reduced expenses, oil changes, etc. "It's a hand-up, not a hand-out," Coons said.
An informational meeting was held Friday at CCS to jump-start the new program. Community bankers and business leaders in automotive/mechanic shops were present. "We're already off and rolling," Coons said.
CCS is now looking for partners and donors. At this point, CCS does not have any car dealerships involved, but hopes to soon. Coons said some vehicles will be sold at retail price to cover administration costs, and some vehicles also can be bought from donors unable to give the automobile to CCS. "We're trying to create programs that are self-funding," he said.
There's so many ways for each person in this community to help with the program," Coons said. "As individuals, we can't do anything, but as a group, we can do amazing things. And I think this is going to be an amazing thing."
Those interested in donating services or automobiles should contact Coons or Redinger at 269-5531. Those interested in applying for a vehicle should stop by CCS and fill out an application. Monetary donations also can be sent to CCS. Redinger asks that donors designate Wheels to Work on their checks. [[In-content Ad]]
Combined Community Services, Warsaw, is launching Wheels to Work, a community outreach program to help those who need transportation.
Jim Coons, CCS director, said the program is a helping hand to community members who need transportation to work, to school, to child care, to the grocery store, etc., and will empower the community, creating energy and excitement among individuals helping "someone be able to make it on their own."
Coons said Wheels to Work began in Bartholomew County, in southern Indiana. They received a grant through the Department of Transportation and sent out informational mailings and videotapes to every county in Indiana.
CCS reviewed the starter package and decided to get "on the road to success" with the Wheels to Work program. Coons said Kosciusko County is the second county in Indiana to launch the program.
"We're going to need a lot of support out in the community to make it," Coons said. "It is a very important program."
"We're not asking you to do it for free," Darlene Redinger, CCS director of development, said. "We're asking you not to do it for a profit."
And what CCS is asking for is a community collaboration that will benefit everyone who gets involved.
CCS will first look for qualified applicants, then give them a priority number, and when a donated vehicle comes in, the title will be transferred to CCS and the vehicle will be checked for necessary repairs. Then the chosen applicant will receive the automobile and the title will be transferred over to them.
So far, CCS has two qualified recipients "now dying for a vehicle," Redinger said.
"We're projecting 60 cars in the first year," Coons said. He hopes to have the grassy lot in front of CCS filled with donated automobiles for qualified applicants.
"Our goal is to fill that green spot out here with cars," Coons said.
To get the program started and to fill the lot, CCS needs $12,000.
"We're hoping to find a business partner or several to step forward and help us launch this program," Coons said. CCS needs partnerships in automotive repairs, wrecking, banking, automobile donors and referrals. He said the government may pay to fix a car not repairable for someone else, so donating any automobile is important.
Once automobiles are donated, qualified recipients will be chosen. Coons said a qualified recipient will pay approximately $80-90 a month for their automobile. And, if the donated vehicle becomes unrepairable, a new one will be given to the recipient with the balance already paid on the first vehicle applied to the new one. "We guarantee them an operating vehicle for a year," Coons said.
The vehicles are sold to clients at a reduced price. "It's very important that they have a reduced investment in (their) vehicle," Coons said. "This is all part of that learning process - teach them responsibility (to) take care of (a) vehicle."
The idea behind Wheels to Work is "not to give to people, but also have people take responsibility" and maintain donated automobiles with reduced expenses, oil changes, etc. "It's a hand-up, not a hand-out," Coons said.
An informational meeting was held Friday at CCS to jump-start the new program. Community bankers and business leaders in automotive/mechanic shops were present. "We're already off and rolling," Coons said.
CCS is now looking for partners and donors. At this point, CCS does not have any car dealerships involved, but hopes to soon. Coons said some vehicles will be sold at retail price to cover administration costs, and some vehicles also can be bought from donors unable to give the automobile to CCS. "We're trying to create programs that are self-funding," he said.
There's so many ways for each person in this community to help with the program," Coons said. "As individuals, we can't do anything, but as a group, we can do amazing things. And I think this is going to be an amazing thing."
Those interested in donating services or automobiles should contact Coons or Redinger at 269-5531. Those interested in applying for a vehicle should stop by CCS and fill out an application. Monetary donations also can be sent to CCS. Redinger asks that donors designate Wheels to Work on their checks. [[In-content Ad]]