Administrative Car Award Support

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About Vehicles for Change

Location:

4111 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe, MD 21227, US

Mission Statement

MISSION STATEMENT Vehicles for Change Inc.'s (VfC) mission is to assist less fortunate families who are ready, willing, and able to advance themselves, become financially secure and help others. VFC will assist these families by selling them a reliable automobile at a minimal price and assist in identifying resources to pay for insurance, title, tags and taxes. OBJECTIVES To help those who want to work become self sufficient and financially independent by addressing their need for transportation. To help them gain access to better jobs and better salaries by having a car to get to less accessible places of employment. To help these recipients increase their sense of independence, self-confidence and self esteem. CHANGING LIVES VfC is changing lives in Carroll County and Prince George's County via funding from the county Department of Social Services. A private grant was received in Baltimore City from the Abell Foundation. Providing 145 cars to recipients since October 1999 has changed over 400 lives. VfC will provide over 250 cars in the year 2001. Expansion throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware is planned in the future. PARTNERS Vehicles for Change was initiated, and is supported by Precision CertiPro Warehouse (PCW), Inc. an aftermarket auto parts distributor. Marriott, BB&T Bank and Giant Food have joined VfC as corporate partners. PCW provides free auto parts for the repair of cars. In addition, the entire PCW team is dedicated to helping VfC succeed. They solicit car donations and repair garages, serve as Board members and actively pursue corporate partners and funding sources. HOW IT WORKS Donations Car donations are solicited from the general public. Other sources of donations are PCW garages, corporate partners and new and used car dealers. Repairs VfC will determine if the donated car is repairable based on an initial review of the general condition, mileage, year and make of the vehicle. Those deemed not repairable will be wholesaled. If the car is repairable, it will be brought to a local garage (in most instances a PCW customer) for a complete mechanical review and repair. The garage provides their services at a substantial discount. Parts are purchased at cost or in the case where Precision CertiPro Warehouse carries the part it is donated. Recipients The recipients are a low-income individual/family who needs a vehicle to reach his/her place of employment and to perform daily transportation functions such as getting children to day-care, school and doctor appointments. The recipients will be identified via partnerships with various organizations that know the background and qualifications of the potential recipients. These organizations may be: 1. The Department of Social Services or other "social service" organizations in the county where the car was repaired. 2. Religious or other organizations that hear about VfC and recommend worthy recipients. 3. Corporate partners. Once the recipient is identified, he or she must meet the following criteria: Have a bona fide job or job offer Identified as low-income and cannot otherwise afford to purchase a car Is insurable/has a relatively clean driving record; (DWI, DUI etc.) Has no extensive criminal background; (reviewed on a case by case basis) Is drug free Car Awards VfC sells the vehicle to the recipient for approximately $725 and guarantee a twelve-month bank loan in the recipient's name. The recipient is responsible for their car insurance and taxes, tags and title fees. Recipients are provided with a six-month warranty to minimize their cost while they "get back on their feet". The recipient attends a two-hour "Car Owner" course conducted by VfC prior to obtaining their car.

Description

We are a non-profit oraganization that works with Department of Social services to help low-income familes get transportion to and from work, to get their children to and from school,daycare,religious activities, childrens sports,obtain better jobs,etc.