On March 14, 2017 the Board of Supervisors authorized a contract with Mobility Matters in the amount of $83,645 to support the implementation of the "Rides 4 Veterans" Program. The action was a recommendation from Supervisors Candace Andersen and Karen Mitchoff who allocated the funding from the District II and District IV portions of the Livable Communities Trust Fund.
Sam Sotelo, Director of Programs for Mobility Matters, provided the attached program information and the narrative report below. Mr. Sotelo and Elaine Welch, Mobility Matters Chief Executive Officer, will be at the November Committee meeting to discuss the program and answer questions. Staff is prepared to bring this report to the Board of Supervisors if the Committee chooses to provide that direction.
Summary of Rides 4 Veterans Program
In June 2017, Mobility Matters implemented a new program, Rides 4 Veterans, focused on providing no cost rides to Veterans in need throughout Contra Costa County. Since June we have recruited more than 40 volunteers who have given more than 250 trips, over 300 volunteer hours and over 5000 miles providing essential transportation to medical appointments and even grocery shopping to veterans in our community.
We have attended many veteran group meeting and community events informing the public of our new program. (Town hall, American legion, VFW, DVG, Lions Club, Concord Vet Center, Martinez VA, Contra Costa County Veteran's Service Office, CCTV Veterans Voices, Somerset Veterans, East County Resource, Monument Crisis Center, Pittsburgh Senior Center, Antioch Sr Center, Richmond Sr Center, Pinole Sr Center, Hercules Sr Center, Richmond Sr Health Fair, Walk of Honor, Stand Down on the Delta, Blue Star moms, National night out in Pinole, Concord Sr center,Danville Sr center/Veterans Memorial Center, Commanders Call, Salute To Veterans, Vets of Oakley, and SMAC. Just to name some. )
We have also worked with and have been shown support from some of the most influential people in the community, including elected officials and all levels of representatives in the veteran resource community.
The willingness of America’s Veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude. Now is our chance to show them our support by continuing to serve those who have served our country.
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