Living in Kansas City is immeasurably more difficult if you don’t have access to a vehicle. With recent cuts to public bus service, limited streetcar access and the high cost of owning a vehicle, navigating everyday life can feel impossible for many. It’s estimated that nearly 50,000 Kansas City households don’t own a vehicle and it impairs their ability to find and keep a job, access healthcare, educational opportunities and more.
It is a struggle Kaprasia W. of Grandview, Mo. knows all too well. She struggled to afford a vehicle and when she finally scraped together enough cash to purchase one, it made everyday life more manageable for the mother of seven.
“Just basically needing to get to doctor’s appointments, school affairs, even just running errands to get food or toiletries. Just simple things,” she said. “The schools and most stores aren’t really in walking distance from my home.”
Kaprasia is always busy. Not only does she have a full household, with her children ranging in ages from one to 12, she works full-time and is attending school to become a dental hygienist. So when her car broke down and needed costly repairs, she panicked.
“It’s kind of like boom, boom, boom and it breaks down your life. I have two strollers I have to walk with. It’s really tough to manage that as well as carry groceries on your arms. Some days it’s been raining or really warm,” Kaprasia said. “It’s nerve wracking to not have a vehicle and using rideshares is so expensive.”
So when her case manager from United Way Impact 100 partner Grandview Assistance Program (GAP) called for a check-in the day the car repair shop called about the need for a new alternator, it felt like a sign.
“I was sitting here stressing, trying to figure things out. I just knew in my heart something was wrong with my car,” Kaprasia said. “So when Megan called from GAP and told me they had some funds from United Way to help, it was amazing.”
Grandview Assistance Program is one of 23 community organizations supporting the current round of funding through a Missouri program called UHONS (United Helping Our Neighbors Statewide), a United Way statewide initiative bringing together support for individuals and families in meeting critical needs. This spring, United Way of Greater Kansas City is distributing $520,000 in funding to support households in covering one-time expenses related to housing, utilities, transportation and childcare costs.
“I’m very grateful to United Way for this assistance,” Kaprasia said. “The timing of this support could not have been better. My car’s now in the shop getting fixed, and I can’t wait to get going again to do all the things I need to do for my family,”
United Way is able to mobilize real-time solutions like UHONS for families in our community thanks to support from generous donors like you. Give today to help propel our collective impact.