Vehicles for Change Celebrates 15 Years of Providing Low-income Families with Personal Transportation and Vehicle Ownership

Vehicles for Change, Inc. (VFC) is celebrating 15 years of fulfilling its mission to empower families with financial challenges to achieve economic and personal independence through car ownership and technical training. VFC will kick off its 15th year celebration by hosting an Anniversary Luncheon on April 1st, where they will award 15 refurbished vehicles to families in need. VFC takes cars donated by the public, repairs these vehicles and provides them to families who need a car in order to gain or maintain employment.

With VFC board members, program partners and vehicle recipient families in attendance, the 15th Anniversary Luncheon will honor the impact VFC has made on the lives of more than 16,100 people in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia through its car award program and the Center for Automotive Careers (launched in September 2013). In honor of its 15 year anniversary, VFC will award 15 vehicles to families at the luncheon.  The 15 families are referred by their various partnering agencies, including the Center for Urban Families/STRIVE and the Maryland Department of Human Resources.

“It has been an honor directing an organization that has positively changed the lives of so many over the past 15 years,” said VFC President Martin Schwartz. “This milestone is monumental for VFC, but our work does not stop here. We will diligently strive to fulfill our mission each and every day, in hopes of implementing similar car award and training programs in communities across the country.” 

VFC is the largest program of its kind in the U.S., awarding more than 500 cars each year to worthy individuals. Several national studies identify reliable transportation as a major barrier to employment and overcoming poverty. VFC recognizes that personal transportation options offer people access to better job opportunities and the flexibility to work extra shifts or overtime. Owning a vehicle offers shorter commutes, healthier families and richer lives. A 2011 study of VFC families showed 75 percent of recipients were able to get better jobs and/or increased their earnings. On average, VFC car recipients gained $7,000 in annual earnings.

“Vehicles for Change provides more than access to transportation, it provides a gateway to expanded opportunity and independence,” said Joseph Jones, founder, president & CEO of the Center for Urban Families (CFUF). The CFUF has referred recipients to VFC since 2000, and most recently partnered with VFC to provide students for the organization’s automotive training academy.

The event will take place April 1st at VFC headquarters in Halethorpe, Md. from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Luncheon agenda includes:

·         Welcome and a catered lunch

·         Formal recognition of VFC program partners

·         Recipient testimonial from Lisa Phillips, who received a car from VFC in 2001

·         Presentation of the VFC program impact by Joseph Jones of the Center for Urban Families

·         Car award ceremony to 15 worthy families

The Luncheon is the kickoff celebration event of VFC’s 15th year. The organization is currently planning several other programs and events throughout the year. VFC encourages all event attendees and VFC families to join in the celebration and honor VFC’s impact by using the social media hashtag, “#VFCjourney” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About
Vehicles for Change accepts and repairs donated cars and awards them to prequalified families for as little as $750, enabling low-income families to become self-sufficient. A nonprofit organization, VFC receives 99 percent of its car donations from the public. Since 1999, VFC has awarded more than 4,600 cars to low-income families, changing the lives of more than 16,100 people. Eligible families are referred to VFC through partnering social service type agencies. VFC car donors gain a substantial tax advantage that’s not available with most other charities. We’re the only organization in Maryland and Washington, D.C. that makes it possible for donors to deduct the full fair market value of their car, because their donation is awarded to a low-income family.

For additional information about Vehicles for Change, or to donate a vehicle, visit www.vehiclesforchange.org or call 410-242-9674. Follow the organization on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vehiclesforchange and Twitter @vehicles4change.

Please direct all media inquiries and requests to Josie Hankey at 410-420-2001 or by email at Josie.Hankey@FallstonGroup.com.