Promoting independence and self-sufficiency 1
Thank You to Via’s 2014 Corporate Partners! Your support helps Via provide vital transportation and mobility services to older adults and people with disabilities in our community. We couldn’t do it without you!
1 Executive
2 Leader The ability to move is a universal human need. Mobility is not a car or a bus—it’s the feeling of freedom that comes from knowing you can move when and where you want. Enhancing mobility is Via’s cause. During its first year of service in 1979, the tiny organization called Special Transit was located in two rooms in the old County Butler building on Pearl Street in Boulder, where the Kinkos/FedEx store is now located. When the roof blew off, the handful of part-time office employees and drivers had to relocate. Another temporary location was found, and there the vehicle maintenance program began in the dirt driveway outside, with one little coat closet to store tires.
3 Champion
This nonprofit now known as Via, was born in a time of inspiration and dreams. The visionary advocates who worked diligently to found the organization surely had a belief in an inclusive community for all, regardless of age or disability. And by manifesting their vision, others would be enabled to achieve their own dreams. That early aspiration had a profound influence on the organization. Our beliefs and values arose from that hope, as did the way we provide service—with compassion, a commitment to serve, and the willingness to change to meet community needs.
luhcares.org 303.651.5111
SARGENT BICKHAM
LAGUDIS
Great Things Happen! TM
- Kottke & Brantz, LLC - Law Offices of Sharon L. Svendsen, PC
What a long way we’ve come. Today Via has more than 280 employees, more than 150 vehicles, and we provide a wide range of transportation and mobility options in Boulder County and beyond. We’ve evolved to become the leader in mobility options in the county, serving as a one-call resource for individuals and their families dealing with mobility challenges. We continually innovate and create new ways to help people meet these challenges. And we faithfully advocate for a range of mobility options to be available so that all people have the opportunity to experience that essential human need for movement, inclusion and for feeling connected to something larger than themselves. While Via has changed markedly, what continues are the dreams, beliefs and values the organization was founded upon and that will be stewarded throughout the life of the organization. To all of Via’s founding advocates, we hope you are proud.
4 associate - Twenty Ninth Street
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For information on how you can become a corporate partner, contact Carolyn Jannsen at cjannsen@viacolorado.org or call 303-473-2883
Strategic Goal 1:
Be the leader in mobility options in Boulder County for older adults and those with disabilities. 3
Board oF dirECTors Dear Friends,
Frank Bruno President CEO, Western Disposal
Liz Abbott Vice President Director, Boulder Public Library, retired
Frank Latino, Jr. CPA Treasurer Owner, Latino & Associates
Wendy Reynolds Secretary Branch President, Summit Bank & Trust
Peter Powers Member-at-Large Director of Business Development Longmont United Hospital
Gretchen Fapore-Wahl Past President Senior VP First National Denver
Lenna Kottke Executive Director Via
Don Brown President Optimal Blue
Joan Campbell Community Volunteer
Stacy Cornay Owner Communications Concepts, Public Relations & Marketing
Marie Gambon VP for People Boulder Brands, Inc.
Scott R. Gresser VP/CFO TRU Community Care
The Board of Directors and Staff of Via Mobility Services are very pleased to be celebrating our 35th year of service to this region. Obviously there have been many changes over the years—including the name change from the venerable Special Transit to Via, and the construction of a wonderfully functional new building on 63rd Street in Boulder. As the demographic trends clearly demonstrate—we face the realities of an ever-aging population. Consequently, Via is more necessary to the community than ever before. I’ve served on a number of nonprofit boards. What motivates me most about Via is that the services we provide are very concrete and direct. We’re all about transportation and mobility to help people remain independent and vital, when other means and traditional forms of transportation are no longer viable. These days, we often speak of building community— well, that cannot be successful unless everyone has an opportunity to participate. Via provides one of the most important links in that chain of community—we help people participate who might otherwise be isolated without an organization like Via on the scene to assist them in getting around their city or neighborhood. Join me in this celebration and let’s give ourselves a round of applause! Ok, that’s enough! We have more work to do! Thank you for your ongoing support for our important work and let’s strive to ensure the future of Via and the people we serve!
Frank W. Bruno
Suzanne Hoover Career Volunteer
Bill Munson VP/CFO Boulder Community Health
B. Scot Smith Founder and Principal The Colorado Group
Sharon Svendsen Attorney
President, Board of Directors
I first became aware of Via almost 30 years ago. While my attorney husband was building his law practice and community service commitments, I had left the workforce to stay at home and raise our two young children. My mother, who had always been a fiercely independent woman, experienced a serious fall, resulting in a traumatic brain injury that required hospitalization and months of therapies and recuperation. With the demands of a growing family, I found it impossible to meet all the transportation needs of her many health care appointments. My mother’s physical therapists recommended Via which proved a lifeline for our family, relieving a very stressful family situation. In time, my mother returned to living independently in her own home. My story illustrates the simple truth that we are all just one step away from needing the services Via provides. We know that lifestyles, expectations and opportunities are changing for older adults and people with disabilities. At Via, we envision a future where all people, regardless of age, income, disability or health condition have access to the mobility options they need to enhance their independence and quality of life. This vision requires a long journey, and we still have far to travel. The first 35 years have set us on a path to that future; now it is up to all of us to help create it. As Via turns 35 and I celebrate my 23rd year as executive director, I want to say thank you to all those who have supported our mission over the years and to all who will help us realize our vision for the future. Lenna Kottke
Via manaGEmEnT sTaFF Lenna Kottke Executive Director Rich Burns Director of Operations Mary Cobb Director of Communications 4
Robert D’Alessandro Director of Customer and Community Services Tonya Fodness Director of Human Resources
Carolyn Jannsen Director of Development
Executive Director
Alex Salvo IT Manager Sandy Sisneros Director of Finance 5
Giving up the keys easier with family support and options from Via Russ M. and his son Wes are good friends and always have been. Russ, age 90, values his son’s great sense of humor and the trust they have for one another. But their relationship faced a significant challenge when Wes raised concerns about his father’s driving. “I was resenting his intrusion into my decision making, and he was resenting my stubbornness,” Russ said. “I’m a very independent individual, and the thought of having to depend on other people and other resources was abhorrent to me.” They were at an impasse – neither would budge. With the help of an online AARP program, they were better able to see each other’s point of view. And while the program resolved the family conflict, it didn’t make Russ’ decision to give up the keys any easier. “The experience of giving up my car was one of the two most traumatic events I’ve ever had in my life,” Russ said. (The first being the death of his first wife!) Having his son’s understanding and support helped as did the knowledge that community resources were available to help him maintain his independence. Resources like Via.
In the midst of the conflict with his son, Russ participated in Via’s travel training program (a oneon-one training program in which participants are taught to use public transit) partially to explore his options but also to placate his son. Learning that he could use public transit to visit his sweetheart of 20 years, Ginger, in Brighton, helped him to see that he was “free to live my normal life.” Since giving up his keys, Russ has also used Via’s door-to-door paratransit service for occasional medical trips. And he’s learned about other community resources available for seniors who don’t drive. “It took me several months before adjusting, but I have emerged with nary a blip in my lifestyle,” he said. Check out Via’s online resources for having a conversation about giving up the keys: viacolorado.org/talk-dad/.
Western Disposal is pleased to support Via and to congratulate Lenna and her staff on their 35th year in service.
A legacy of strength. A new vision for the future of Colorado business. Backed by over 144 years of strength and stability, we bring local expertise and decision making to offer you sophisticated commercial lending and treasury management products and services. Our bankers are committed to helping you achieve your goals through collaboration and individualized solutions. Let’s do business together.
Frank W. Bruno
President and CEO, Western Disposal President of the Via Board of Directors 6
Call Gretchen Wahl today at 720-565-6347, or visit us online to learn more.
ZZZ ¿ UVWQDWLRQDOGHQYHU FRP NMLS #1199591 First National Denver, a division of First National Bank of Santa Fe Member FDIC
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35 Years of mobility for Life – By the numbers
Provided 3 million
Enjoyed
in cumulative revenue
$111,000,000
(service animals)
individuals
$$
{ 50,000 clients } Served more than
$
Cost of a gallon of regular gas:
raised through social enterprise
3,000
Furry Riders
paratransit trips
$160,000,000
50
Employed more than
1,150,000
Answered phone calls to schedule a ride
Then
Now
86¢
$3.59 Older Adult Population
Got sage
All Aboard for Love
5
couples met while riding with Via and later married!
30
in Boulder County:
Then
Drove
3,640
Conversations about helping an aging loved one to give up the keys
On the morning of July 19, 1977, Steve D. was a healthy, active 16 year old, ready for the adventures of the day. Six hours later, a rare and unexplained buildup of spinal fluid crushed his optic nerve. Now 53 years old, Steve has limited light perception, yet sees no detail or color. He is legally and permanently blind. Today Steve is the first voice a customer hears at a locally-owned heating and air conditioning company in Longmont. The company took a chance on him. His severe vision impairment carries a number of challenges at work. The management team decided to give Steve the opportunity to show what he could do rather than focus instantly on what he couldn’t do. Steve was offered the full-time job at the company on a Friday and told to start the following Monday. His wife had to be at work at 5 a.m., and so she couldn’t take him. Public transportation did not adequately serve his neighborhood. He called Via, who was there with its paratransit transportation service to pick him up that Monday morning and has been there every work day since. “I am contributing because of Via. I am enjoying my community. I am living a full life,” Steve said. Research shows that 70 percent of people with vision impairments are underemployed or unemployed. They are often the first to go in a layoff and the last to get hired. Via is Steve’s key to securing and maintaining employment. Without the on-demand, call-up, door-to-door, transportation, he would not be working. Via supports Steve, so that he can fully participate in work and in life.
Now
9,481 36,276
Centenarian clients
125
Awards Received
(age 65+)
advice from
Because Via goes, steve works
5 0M
I L L I ON
Longmont Clinic physicians and staff salute Via on its
35 Anniversary
Thank You for providing your vital
services all these years to our patients and those in need throughout our community
miles Congratulations
The number of times a client or family member said
Via on 35 years of serving the Community
“Thank you!” Millions. Law offices of KottKe and Brantz, LLC
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“I am contributing because of Via. I am enjoying my community. I am living a full life.”
303.776.1234 :: www.longmontclinic.com
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VIA’S FLEET OF 154 VEHICLES COMPRISES: Via Paratransit: 2 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses 5 Prius hybrids 12 CNG MV-1s (purpose-built accessible vehicle)
a commitment to environmental stewardship
26 gasoline buses The Climb:
5 diesel buses
The HOP:
10 clean-diesel buses
Call-n-Ride:
14 CNG buses
Access-a-Ride: 80 gasoline buses
a i V s n o i t a l Congrautldu s! r a e y 5 3 r o f y it n o er commu serving the B
Via’s 53,000 square foot facility built in 2010 incorporates green building features:
Location: 2855 63rd Street, Boulder Cost of building and land: $11.5 million
• 97Kw grid-connected photovoltaic solar power system
Mortgage: $0
• low VOC interior finishes
General Contractor: Golden Triangle Construction of Longmont
• extensive daylight harvesting providing light for 90% of the building • extensive use of local recycled materials • radiant heat floor slab in the maintenance area • water cascade direct/indirect evaporative cooling and high efficiency HVAC system • natural gas water heaters, radiant floor boiler and hydronic heating boiler • self-dimming and occupancy sensing lighting • building envelope exceeds all compliance standards for wall and roof insulation and window glazing properties • computerized Energy Management Control system providing 24-hour monitoring of all mechanical and plumbing systems
Happy 20th Birthday to the HOP! Serving Boulder since 1994.
Architect: OZ Architecture of Boulder
Strategic Goal 2:
GO Boulder ad 3/4
Support environmental sustainability by taking meaningful steps to reduce our carbon emissions and to minimize our contribution to climate change.
• bus wash water reclamation at 85% recycle efficiency • access to bike and pedestrian trails • xeric plant materials • water erosion protection system • tiered building design and southern 6.8 acre site orientation 10
www.goboulder.net
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how we support our paratransit, travel training and mobility options programs Via’s primary financial support for its mission services comes from federal and local governments, charitable gifts and social enterprise contracts.
2013 Mission Services Revenue Categories: Total $4,056,004 Private Giving
Federal Grants
12%
19% 5%
13%
25%
Local Governments
16% RTD
4%
Program Contracts
Net Revenue Earned Income Contracts
Strategic Goal 3:
2% Fares & Program Registrations 2% 2% Interest Medicaid Misc
Be financially sustainable to meet current and future needs.
social Enterprise Business model The quest for sustainability and new sources of revenue has led many nonprofits to consider social enterprise, generally defined as mission-related businesses that have promise for producing income directly benefiting the nonprofit’s clients or enhancing its ability to fulfill its mission. The social enterprise business model challenges nonprofits to think in a more precise business frame of mind—but one that includes commitment to the nonprofit’s mission and purpose. Via has operated as a social enterprise business model for 20 years. Via’s three large earned-income contracts—the HOP, Access-a-Ride and Call-n-Ride—are transportation programs Via provides under contract to RTD, CU-Boulder and the city of Boulder and generate revenue to support our mission services. In 2013, Via’s earned income contracts generated more than $1 million in net revenue, which offset the operating losses of the paratransit, travel training and mobility options programs. As a nonprofit organization, Via ensures that all profits from the earned-income contracts are reinvested to enhance our mission services, to nurture the well-being of our organization, to reinforce our commitment to the communities we serve and to make our organization’s vision a reality.
Congratulations to Via for 35 years of enhancing mobility in the Boulder Valley. Real Estate Solutions for Boulder County’s Non-Profits
Colorado B. Scot Smith
Group
Wade Arnold
303-449-2131 • www.ColoradoGroup.com
THANK YOU, Via, FOR 35 YEARS
OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY LAW OFFICES OF SHARON L. SVENDSEN, P.C. Attorney at Law
2013 Financial Summary Mission Services
Revenue: Expenses: Paratransit Program Travel Training and Mobility Options NET OPERATING LOSS
$3,515,013 $4,056,004 3,828,900 227,104 ($540,991)
Earned Income Contracts
(HOP, Access-a-Ride, Call-n-Ride): Revenue: Expenses: NET REVENUE:
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TOTAL AGENCY OPERATING REVENUE TOTAL AGENCY OPERATING EXPENSES (excludes depreciation) NET AGENCY OPERATING INCOME
$10,154,180 $9,130,182 $1,023,998 $13,669,195 $13,186,186 $483,009
n Estate Planning (Wills and Trusts) n Estate and Trust Administration n Powers of Attorney/Medical Directives n Medicaid Planning n Guardianships/ Conservatorships 824 Pine Street Louisville, CO 80027 (303) 604-1762 Fax: (303) 604-1764 www.svendsenlaw.com
Proudly serving on the Via Board of Directors
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Via’s travel training program helps Sally adapt adapt: verb \ə-ˈdapt, a-\: to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation. Sally F., 26, intimately understands adaptation. After a skiing accident in 2012 left her with a traumatic brain injury, her life changed. And now almost two years later, she continues to remodel herself – to work hard to relearn what she previously knew plus even more. After the accident, Sally recovered with her family in Colorado Springs. When Sally felt ready, she moved back to Boulder to be close to college friends and to live independently. She doesn’t drive and walking can be a challenge because of issues with balance and paralysis on her right side. How would she get around? A Google search lead her family to a Via mobility specialist, who after a brief conversation, registered Sally for the door-to-door, driver-assisted paratransit service and also referred her to a Via travel trainer to check out the possibility of using Boulder’s public transit system. Mary, one of three travel trainers at Via, met with Sally
and her mother to do a formal assessment. Having already scouted Sally’s bus route from her apartment to her internship at ski mountaineering company Dynafit, Mary then did a run through of the trip with both of them, providing expert advice on adaptions specifically for Sally. “She had good tips on how to make the bus work for me – like asking the driver to lower the steps to make it easier to get on,” Sally said. Sally’s mom, Barb, appreciated the personal service. “It was comforting to have Mary physically there to do the trip with us and to make suggestions about improving Sally’s experience,” she said. After the travel training, Sally realized that her current apartment was not conveniently located near a bus stop (or other essential services like a grocery store, coffee shop, gym, etc.). She has since relocated and she’s now able to take a single bus ride from her apartment to her work. And she’ll be able to call on Via’s travel trainer Mary, to help her scout the route and suggest adaptations as her life destinations change.
The Future will listen more and try to understand better the needs of our customers. We will guarantee financial sustainability as it ensures our future. Via will not be able to meet these “We will continue growing needs on its own. This significant demographic shift compels to change to all communities to prepare. Enhanced meet the mobility investment in transportation is critical in every community we serve. Progressive needs of our policymakers and planners will need to retrofit their communities with current and future transportation options, housing and populations.” land-use patterns that help people keep their independence as long as possible. While the silver tsunami is here, we do not have to succumb to the metaphor that we will all be washed away by the force of this oncoming wave. We can move forward collectively—and interdependently—to provide an inclusive and connected community. From daily errands to daily Be a resource adventures, mobility is what gives people the opportunity to live their in the region 24,365 dreams, have a sense of purpose and for mobility find their own unique place in the Population in 24,365 community. options and It is important to recognize service area that each transportation onePopulation of us, if fortunate, inwill be older services. someday. What kind of community do12,463 service area to the 2010 you wantAccording for yourself? 24,365 Census, the population Let’s start creating it now. 12,463 24,365 24,365 of older adults According to the 2010and people Population in with Via’s Census, thedisabilities populationinPopulation 2013 Age Categories in Population in service area service expected to of older adultsarea andispeople service area grow 95%inbetween service area 2010 with disabilities Via’s 0-19 20-29 12,463 90+ According to the 2010 and 2025. service area is expected to Census, 2010 2025 30-39 12,463 According to the 2010 the population of older adults and 12,463 1% 0-19 20-24% grow 95% between 2010 inCensus, thepopulation 2010 9 people withto disabilities 4 0 -49 90+ 8% According the According 2010 Via’s tothe 4% 30-39 80-89 service area is expected to grow 24,365 and 2025. Census, the population 2010 2025 1% 4% of older adults and people 6% 40-49 Census, the population 8% 95% between 2010 and 2025. 4% 80-89 of older adults and people 6% with disabilities in Via’s of older adults and people Population into with disabilities areainisVia’s expected with disabilities in Via’sservice Unduplicated Clients service area is expected to grow 95% between 2010 service area Served service area is expected to 23% 23% 50-59 15% grow 95% between 2010 and 2025. 2010 2025 50-59 grow 95% between 2010 15% 3000 12,463 and 2025. 2010 2025 and 2025. 2010 2025 According to the 2010 2939 2750 Census, the population 20% 20% 2500 of older adults and people 60-69 70-79 2559 2550 with disabilities in Via’s 20% 2369 2250 20% 2316 service area is expected to 60-69 70-79 2000 grow 95% between 2010 2009 2012 2013 2010 and 2025. 2011 2010 2025
Strategic Goal 4:
24,365
12,463
2010 2025
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Population in service area
According to the 2010 Census, the population of older adults and people with disabilities in Via’s service area is expected to grow 95% between 2010 and 2025.
You can’t open a newspaper (with your hands, mouse or app) these days without reading some reference to the impact of the baby boomer generation, colloquially called the “silver tsunami.” It’s important to remember however, that a tsunami is something that strikes with minimal warning. In fact, the demographic wave that we are looking at is an extremely well-documented phenomenon that is washing inexorably across a wide flood plain. Via has done much to prepare. We’ve invested in diversified mobility options programs, such as travel training, mobility options planning and transportation navigators, to connect our target populations to other potential options to maximize the use of all transportation alternatives. We’ve built a sustainable and fully paid-for facility that can expand to respond to growing community needs. We will continue to change to meet the mobility needs of our current and future populations. In the rapidly changing environment of innovative programs to enhance mobility, we will explore research-backed, effective and safe best practices, apply our threeplus decades of insight to evaluate the potential impact of these programs and bring the best to implementation. We
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Mobility is not just part of a day, it is part of life. Someone you know needs Via. Someone you know will need Via in the coming years.
Support Via today. www.viacolorado.org/give-today Via is a private, nonprofit organization. Your contribution makes a difference.
Via Mobility Services
2855 N. 63rd Street, Boulder, CO
303.447.2848
www.viacolorado.org