Volunteer Drivers Put Seniors on the Road
April 2010
“It has given me a new lease on life,” says Billie Alban.
“What more can one ask for?” says Al Tager.
The two Bloomfield residents are enthusiastic fans of ITNNorthCentralConnecticut, an East Windsor-based nonprofit that provides, for a small fee, door-to-door rides in 10 towns for senior citizens with no access to vehicles.
In its first year, 2009, more than 1,700 rides were provided. Now the agency has been awarded a three-year, $150,000 grant to expand its operations by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.
Rides are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for people 60 years and older, as well as for all adults of all ages who have visual impairments, said Margaret Smith Hale, executive director.
Towns served are East Granby, East Windsor, Enfield, Granby, Somers, South Windsor, Suffield, Windsor, Windsor Locks, and Bloomfield. An estimated 33,000 seniors in the 10-town service area are potential clients of the service. Drivers will take passengers anywhere within those towns, and even a few miles into non-participating communities.
“Many of our trips are for medical reasons, but there are no restrictions on the purpose of a ride,” said Hale. “We can take you shopping, to church, the library, a restaurant, to play bingo, wherever you want to go. Our door-to-door service includes help with steps and packages, heavy doors and walkers. The concept is to give back to people who no longer drive the freedom and independence they once had, especially when family members or traditional, public services are not available.”
Transportation is provided in private vehicles, by volunteer drivers, although there are a few paid drivers to ensure round-the-clock service. Drivers are asked to provide rides once a week in a block of four hours. All drivers are subject to a criminal background check and driver safety review.
Membership is $40 a year for an individual and $60 a year for a family. Members deposit $25 into a personal transportation account to pay for trips. Charges vary depend on the time of the trip and when it is booked. The average charge is approximately $10. No tipping is allowed.
“Members generally pay about half the true cost and, in addition, part of the Hartford Foundation grant will be used to assist low-income riders with expenses,” said Hale. “Our motto says it all: ‘Dignified Transportation for Seniors.’”
Billie Alban, a business consultant and author, agrees. “As a person who is legally blind, I have often felt trapped waiting on friends and family for help with transportation. Now with ITN, I have independence again to live my life. I can go to the grocery store as needed, schedule doctor appointments, and make a date with a friend to have lunch. ITN has excellent drivers. They help me in the store or wait for me. The service is always punctual, helpful and courteous.”
Echoing the praise is retired business owner Al Tager. “I have had a number of rides with ITN over the past few months and found them prompt, pleasant and careful drivers! I required transportation in inclement weather and they were there, on time and with a smile.”
Alan Baer of Suffield, one of 25 volunteer drivers and a member of the nonprofit’s executive board, is just as enthusiastic about the service. “Volunteering as a driver for a community-based organization such as ITN gives us the opportunity to improve seniors’ quality of life and meet some wonderful folks.”
The agency grew out of a 2006 community survey in Enfield that identified transportation for seniors and disabled individuals as the number one concern. The town of Enfield took the lead in assembling representatives from the 10 towns to develop a regional plan. The planning was funded by the Connecticut Department of Social Services and the Hartford Foundation. The agency is associated with ITNAmerica (ITN stands for “Independent Transportation Network”), a national nonprofit based in Maine with affiliates in 11 states.
To register to become a client of ITNNorthCentralConnecticut, or volunteer as a driver, call 860-758-7833 or visit www.itnnorthcentralct.org. The agency is located at 99 Main St., Suite 8, East Windsor.
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town Greater Hartford region, dedicated to improving the quality of life for area residents for the past 85 years. The Foundation receives gifts from thousands of generous individuals and families, and last year, awarded grants of more than $25 million to a broad range of area nonprofit organizations. For more information about the Hartford Foundation, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.