by Mary Boulos
While COVID-19 resulted in the temporary closures of many businesses and client programs over the past year, the Loaves & Fishes CARES Car Program remained open and gave clients a ray of hope during the uncertainties of the pandemic. Providing a client with reliable transportation to get to work is the number one goal of the car program. The clients go through financial fitness training to ensure they are prepared to take on the financial responsibilities of owning a car. This key component of the program is met through our partnership with the financial coaches at H.O.M.E. DuPage.
In addition to meeting some of the car program requirements virtually, some of the car recipients overcame the hurdle that was presented by the temporary closure of the Department of Motor Vehicles this past year. Clients patiently waited as we found ways to transfer the car titles to our clients and put those car keys in their hands. Since July 2020, eighteen households successfully navigated the requirements of the car program and became the proud owners of a vehicle. To find out how you can transform a life by donating a car, visit loaves-fishes.org.
While the mission of the car program is to help clients get to work, we recognize that giving clients reliable transportation enables them to meet other needs such as going to doctor appointments, getting to the grocery store, and dropping off children at school.
One car recipient said, “It is such a life-changing thing to be able to go back and forth to work and the grocery stores. We are so thankful and happy for this car. Without the donor and the people at Loaves & Fishes taking it in and fixing it up, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
The car program continues to be the guiding light for clients who need reliable transportation during the unchartered waters of the pandemic and beyond.
Mary Boulos is the Associate Director CARES Program at Loaves & Fishes Community Services. Contact her at mboulos@loaves-fishes.org or visit www.loaves-fishes.org.
