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Driving Toward Success
Oct 10 2007 by Courtney Messenbaugh
10/10/2007
Program Gives Cars to Women in Need
I have been crowned the resident Mother Proof sucker for good deeds! Earlier, I wrote about Chrysler donating a car to a worthy family. Now I've discovered Cars for Success, a program started by a nonprofit organization, Strengthen Our Sisters, to help low-income women make the transition from welfare to work. Many of these women live in rural areas and some are even escaping domestic violence. By giving these women donated cars, the program is able to help these women experience independence — often for the first time.
Karin Westdyk, program director for Cars for Success, said limited public transportation often makes it difficult for women to get to work or school. Women who don't have access to good train or bus service find it impractical and expensive to commute, especially when you factor in getting children to baby sitters or child care. She said that combination makes it virtually impossible to get to a job or to school on time. Amen to that. I have my own car and am blessed with a flexible work schedule, but I still have a hell of a time getting myself and my son together, in the car and wherever we're supposed to be on time. I can't imagine having to do it without my own car, particularly in a more rural area.
Karin offered up the story of a young woman — we'll call her Susie Q — who was the first person for whom Cars for Success was a vital help in earning her livelihood. Susie Q had gone through SOS job training and had an interview with a large insurance company. She was on the verge of passing up the opportunity because she had no way to get to work or drop her son off at day care. SOS happened to have an old, working car on hand, so officials simply gave the car to Ms. Q. She interviewed, got the job and still works there today, with several promotions under her belt. Karin told me this was such a "simple and beautiful" solution that SOS knew it had to start trying to get more cars to more women. I love that description — simple and beautiful — because that's exactly the type of antidote I would like to find for every problem.
Since its inception, Cars for Success has given out nearly 1,000 vehicles to women in need. I often think that I'm a woman in need — in need of a good pedicure, a day off, a live-in housekeeper — but when I hear about women like this, I realize pretty quickly that there's nothing I really need. Nay, scratch that, I probably need a good kick in the pants from time to time to realize how lucky I truly am.
You should know that the Cars for Success program is always in need of reliable cars. Looks don't matter too much (how often do you get to say that?); they just want cars that have had regular maintenance and have few problems. To donate your car or to find out more about this great program, visit www.strengthenoursisters.org. Just think, you could be a part of a simple and beautiful solution!
