Valley Program For Aging Services

(Transportation For the Elderly and Disabled)

Waynesboro, VA

Winner - 2005 STAR Award for Excellence

 

 

Mission   The mission of the T.E.D. (Transportation for the Elderly and Disabled) program is to provide transportation for the elderly and disabled who have either limited or no realistic means of affordable transportation to get to the grocery stores, hairdressers, department stores, local doctors, dentists, pharmacies, and other destinations within the City of Waynesboro.

 

The Challenge   The City of Waynesboro, VA has a population of 20,755 people. It is estimated that there are 8,974 people who are disabled, and/or are 60 years and older. An estimated 611 people 60+ do not have a driver's license, and an estimated 1,032 people 60+ have disabilities that may require assistance with transportation to go to the doctor, the grocery store, the bank, the barber or hairdresser, the post office, or similar place to receive essential services of everyday living, because they lack the means to get there and back home.

 

The program must recruit one driver per month to stay even. Ideally, it will need to recruit an additional 10-15 drivers to meet the projected need. 

 

Proposed Project   The proposed project will provide essential rides to seniors in the Waynesboro area.  The T.E.D. Program, has been in existence for 15 years, uses volunteer drivers who drive a T.E.D van, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., to help meet this need. It currently serves 486 people who are disabled, and/or are 60+ and rely on 14 volunteer drivers for transportation. An average of 15 trips and 65 miles are logged each day.  Riders will be encouraged to make a voluntary contribution. The City of Waynesboro will financially support the Program.

 

Recruitment Strategy   T.E.D. will use a new strategy to recruit new volunteer drivers and to increase the number of riders by visiting businesses where people typically need transportation services, and to inform the business owners of the availability of the service and of the need for volunteer drivers.  Business owners will be given a chance to benefit from the program by being able to provide rides; their participation in the program will help publicize their businesses and give it an image of having a commitment to serving the elderly and disabled.  T.E.D. will recruit volunteers by placing ads in the local newspaper; by word of mouth; and with the help of current volunteers. 

 

Volunteer Support   A 20-25 hour per week Special Transportation Coordinator will recruit riders and volunteer drivers and she matches those needing rides with volunteer drivers.

 

Outcome   The proposed program will allow non-driving seniors in the area to have transportation available to attend to quality of life and medical needs.  It is expected that the program will be able to recruit more drivers as suitable for the maintenance and expansion of the program.  The riders and prospective riders will be able to enjoy the availability of rides and be able to make medical and quality of life trips.