Transportation is one of the top five needs reported to United Way 211 Community Resource Navigators. Many neighbors struggle to afford consistent access to transit. The cost to maintain a vehicle, purchase gas, and keep insurance can exceed more than $1,000 per month, on average, according to AAA. Many individuals also do not live near public bus stops or the streetcar line, so public transportation does not provide adequate assistance to access employment, education, healthcare, and other vital services. Combined, these barriers to affordable, reliable transportation are a major barrier for many individuals.
It’s why United Way of Greater Kansas City is a partner in United Way Worldwide’s Ride United Transportation Access grant program to provide transportation to employment, school, medical care, grocery stores, food pantries and more, to help alleviate that barrier. Transportation is provided through ride share operator Lyft. As of the end of May, all grant dollars for the current fiscal year for this grant have been depleted.
We’re proud that United Way of Greater Kansas City exceeded the ride goal, providing more than 3300 rides this year to individuals needing transportation. We will reapply for the grant, with hopes of being able to continue providing this vital service in the upcoming fiscal year, which starts in July.
The highlighted 211 calls for this month detail the critical importance of the Ride United Program.
A senior woman in her 70s living in Independence, Mo. had recently been taken by ambulance to the emergency room. She called 211 after receiving treatment and being released, because she had no way to get back home. When she shared the situation with the Community Resource Navigator (CRN), she was offered a free Lyft ride through the Ride United program. She learned that a driver would be able to pick her up from the hospital and drive her safely home. When 211 followed up a few days later, she gave the service a “10 out of 10” for her Ride United experience, saying she would recommend both the program and United Way 211 to her friends and family.
A retired Kansas City, Mo. couple called 211 for assistance with their overdue gas bill. The CRN was able to connect them with St. Vincent DePaul Society at their local parish. During the screening, they shared they had transportation challenges and the navigator offered to schedule a Lyft ride through Ride United to get them to the parish so they could attend an appointment to receive assistance. The couple responded to a follow up screening, giving a 10/10 score for the service they received from St. Vincent DePaul and left this message:
“We are so thankful and grateful that 211 is available to those that are in need of assistance. May God continue to bless your organization.”