Last
year, with the elimination of Food Bag collections, in November Wanda Hines,
Joint Urban Ministry Project (JUMP) Director visited the First Unitarian
Universalist Society. Members traditionally, have spent an average $26.00
for Food Bags, previous overall value $2,562.
The
Director personally invited members to get involved by asking, instead by
organizing a personal hygiene and cleaning supply drive – to organize a Transportation Assistance Collection drive
which in return they are named “Transportation Angels” for the month. A successful, $2500 Transportation Assistance
Collection drive will sponsor all client transportation needs for the
entire month.
Enormously
successful, the First Unitarian Universalist Society’s Transportation
Assistance Collection raised over $5000 enough to sponsor all JUMP client
transportation needs for not only one, but TWO entire months; whether
transportation gas assistance, bus pass assistance or bike assistance. “Congratulations!”
Take note
of, while the traditional identified “basic needs” are food, shelter and clothing;
in reality the minimum prioritized level of “basic needs” have moved to
include transportation assistance, healthcare, education, sanitation,
and internet. At JUMP the most prioritized level
is transportation assistance.
Overall, in 2019 Transportation Angel Sponsorships raised: $12,224
January -- Charlotte Congregational Church sponsored 50% of client
transportation assistance
August -- Rick Robinson; Independent donor sponsored all client
transportation assistance
October -- Cathedral Church of St. Paul sponsored all client
transportation assistance
November -- Ascension Lutheran Church sponsored 50% of client
transportation assistance
December – First Unitarian Universalist Society to start the new decade
will be sponsoring all client transportation assistance for the entire months
of January & February 2020
Client
data has established what clients really need most. Last year, 45% of client
households requested Transportation Assistance
Support (TAS). JUMP spent $24,725 for
Gas, $6,422 for Bus Passes and Bikes
$455 for Bikes. Combined JUMP spent a needed $30, 452 for TAS; equaling 30% of all vouchers requested.
Further
date revealed, the top purpose for transportation usage; appointments, work/job
interview and medical. Creating sustainable transportation access help reduce
transit costs allowing clients to spend money on other essentials.
First Unitarian Universalist Society’s success
and fellow 2019 Transportation Angel Sponsors will be used as best
practice models to help encourage other faith communities, rotaries, businesses
and organizations to get involved.
If you’d like to learn more or get involved, please contact Wanda
Hines; Director.
Email: director@jumpvt.org
