Come drive with us! Via’s Volunteer Driver Program meets transportation needs; volunteers enjoy helping others Via’s new Volunteer Driver Program launched last fall to address the growing need for transportation and mobility options for Boulder County’s aging population is already delivering cost-effective transportation solutions in the communities we serve. Via’s team of five new volunteer drivers is serving Lafayette, Louisville and Erie in East Boulder County as well as the cities of Longmont and Boulder. This core group will participate in training new drivers as the program continues to grow. With the help of our dedicated volunteer drivers supplementing the more than 50 paid drivers on staff, Via is able to provide more rides in East Boulder County, Longmont and the city of Boulder.
A Volunteer Driver’s Perspective Most folks’ first impression of Volunteer Driver Jack Belchinsky is that he’s very happy to be there – wherever he happens to be! It was while Jack was helping his mother deal with the effects of Alzheimer’s that he realized seniors need advocates. He saw first-hand the older adult’s issues with transportation which affected nearly all aspects of their lives. When asked why he chose to volunteer with Via, Jack said: “I volunteer with several organizations. Via’s good; they do good work. I like helping people. It’s just part of my being; it makes me feel good to be able to do it.” Via is looking for more volunteer drivers. Volunteers may commit to dedicated times during a day, week or month, or provide a ride at a time. A volunteer driver may drive a Via Prius or their own personal car. If you know someone who wants to give back to the community and enjoys helping people, ask them to contact Liane Shaffer at volunteer@viacolorado.org or 303.444.3069.
March 18 is National Driver Appreciation Day. Give a big thank you to any Via driver you see. They deserve it!
A View of the World You’re Invited to a Spring Happy Hour Event to Benefit Via! Around the World in 365 Amazing Photographs!
Enjoy delicious Hors d’oeuvres
When: Tuesday, April 5, 2016 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Hear from a rider how Via’s specialized transportation services are making a difference in the community. Donations will be accepted at the event and will support Via’s mission services.
Where: A View of the World Gallery, 1930 Central Ave, Suite A, Boulder What:
View Bill Sutcliffe’s stunning extra large photographs from all over the world!
Wine/Microbrew Tasting
Please RSVP by March 31 to Carolyn Jannsen, Director of Development at 303.473.2883 or e-mail cjannsen@viacolorado.org. Space is limited.
N EWS L E T T E R
I
W I N T E R /S P R I N G 2 0 1 6
Why give?
To change the world, to leave a legacy, to connect to like-minded people. Give it some thought. Your contribution makes a difference.
is a private, nonpro�t organization and relies on donations to provide quality service. We are happy to receive a contribution whenever you are inspired to give. Thank you. viacolorado.org/ways-to-give-2/
An open letter to the community…… “We live in one of the best places in the country. Many of you are able to enjoy the many hiking and biking trails and paths so characteristic of this beautiful place. You probably don’t think about the services that are needed or available for an old lady like me. I moved to Boulder 24 years ago. I was a nurse for all of my working life. I raised three terrific children. I have always been a very independent lady. I drove my own car or took the bus and loved being enthusiastically involved in so many of the wonderful activities offered by this community. When I was 68, I had a pulmonary embolism, an event that can’t be predicted yet changed my life in a moment’s time. I couldn’t drive anymore. Nor could I walk to a bus stop, let alone stand there and wait for a bus. I had to change my whole style of living. I felt my life was over. The hospital advocate referred me to an organization now known as Via. I couldn’t bear asking for help, but I had no choice. How was I to get to doctor or physical therapy appointments or get food to feed myself? Would I have to give up my friends and beloved activities? I had such strong resistance to being helped and when I got on that Via bus, I would sit in the back feeling sorry for myself. One day, there were a few other people riding with me and one woman said to the driver “I’m going to
church choir and I’d like to practice my song. Would you all mind?” The driver asked us if we’d like to hear the woman sing. ‘Sure.’ While she sang, I moved from the back of the bus to the front. Some kind of shift took place in me in that little exchange because I experienced thoughtfulness, kindness and respect. I felt there’s a little community on this bus that I need to explore. I have been a rider with Via for 20 years now. I needed help from Via and I got it, but I’ve still felt independent. I have still been able to do most of the things I’ve wanted. While the Via drivers and personnel have changed, one thing has never changed. Every single person at Via, every single driver, every single dispatcher cares about my well-being. I feel safe. I feel cared for. And I couldn’t live the life I live without Via. I still live by myself. I’m still very independent and part of that independence is the blessing of Via. I am very, very grateful to every donor, funder or supporter who makes my rides possible. With appreciation,” Kati P., age 89 Boulder, CO
VIA I BY THE WAY I WINTER/SPRING 2016
Via Board of Directors
............................................... Wendy Reynolds, President Branch President, Summit Bank & Trust
Frank Bruno, Immediate Past President Peter Powers, Vice President Vice President, Strategic Planning & Clinic Operations Longmont United Hospital
Scott R. Gresser, Treasurer Vice President/CFO, TRU Community Care
B. Scot Smith, Secretary Founder and Principal, The Colorado Group
Marie Gambon, Member-at-Large Vice President for People Boulder Brands, Inc.
Rick Accountius,
Debra Baskett, Transportation Manager City and County of Broomfield Liz Erley,
Partner, Kilter Howling, LLC
Optometrist/Owner, Wink Optical
Suzanne Hoover,
Career Volunteer
Micki Kaplan, Sustainable Transportation Planner, retired Lenna Kottke,
Executive Director, Via
Frank Latino, Jr. CPA, Sharon Svendsen,
2015 Impact By the Numbers
2,626
Riders served in the on-demand, door-thru-door paratransit program
108 2,320
Individuals served in the 1:1 travel training program
Software Engineer, AT&T
Kreighton Bieger,
VIA I BY THE WAY I SUMMER 2013
Owner, Latino & Associates
Attorney
Steven Thweatt,
Vice Chancellor for Administration, University of Colorado-Boulder, retired
Newsletter Credits Mary Cobb, Editor Connie Hinkel, Writer ...............................................
Connect TEL 303-447-2848 FAX 303-447-0686 E-MAIL info@viacolorado.org www.viacolorado.org facebook.com/viacolorado twitter.com/viacolorado
Individuals received new rider intake or information and referral services
583 Mobility options/travel plans developed
129,496
Trip scheduling phone calls answered in Call Center
114,364 on-demand paratransit trips completed
10,057
Trips for people experiencing homelessness to access safe shelter
Travel Training = Independence and Confidence talk to the bus driver if he thought he was lost or to call Sometimes when we me if he was feeling anxious. Ricky worked very hard at get a new referral to learning the bus routes and changing his behaviors. do travel training, we find out what we Also, Ricky learned how to travel to Panera Bread think we are going to in Aurora to meet with his job coach. On the third do isn’t what actually time, Ricky was able to complete the trip on public ends up happening. transit independently without any This was the case assistance from me. I met him at when I received a referral from a counselor at the Division his destination and when of Vocational Rehabilitation. She was interested Ricky arrived at Panera “Travel training in having her client, Ricky, learn how to get he was so proud of provides individuals to his new job at Office Depot using public himself. “I did this living with mobility transportation. Ricky had some bus riding on my own,” he limitations with the skills experience; however, occasionally his autism necessary to safely explore told me. After only made him feel overwhelmed and anxious. their world.” three months of travel training, Ricky had learned some When I met Ricky and his sister I found out bus routes and was able to travel on public that the job wasn’t ready for him to start. So…now transportation independently and with confidence to what…? His sister was very supportive of him learning how to places that were important to him. use the public transit system to become more independent and build his self confidence. Rather than cancelling the Brent Belisle, Via Travel Instructor travel training, Ricky and I decided to practice how to go to and Transit Advocate for People other places he was interested in…like the local mall. with Disabilities In the past, sometimes when Ricky would ride the bus he For more information would get lost and call 911. I explained why that wasn’t a contact viacolorado.org/service/ good way to handle feeling anxious and “lost.” Instead, as travel-training/ or part of the travel training process, I encouraged him to www.travelinstruction.org/
Ad-vo-cate
Vote
HB 16-1089 Important Tax Credit Bill up for Vote
The purpose of HB 16-1089 is “to encourage the donation of money, property and securities to eligible endowment or institutional funds for charitable purposes which will result in increased economic activity and community development within the state.” If HB 16-1089 is passed, donors will receive an income tax credit for 25% of the donation amount (any amount up to a $100,000 donation) up to a $25,000 maximum credit. Under HB 16-1089, one dollar of tax credits leverages $4 in donations. Similar bills have passed in other states and have resulted
in increased giving and endowment contributions, and helped nonprofits benefit from the generational wealth transfer through estate and lifetime gifts to nonprofits. You can help to get this bill passed by contacting your state Representative and Senator and telling them you want them to vote yes on HB 16-1089. Find out who they are on http://www.cairco.org/legislation/colorado-legislators.
Via holds three endowment funds available for contributions. For more information contact Carolyn Jannsen at 303-473-2883.
Perspectives The Silver Tsunami is here and Via is riding the wave! On the front lines of serving the growing population of older adults and people with disabilities, Via has seen requests for assistance increase by more than 35% in the past year alone. A total of 2,320 people contacted Via for the first time in 2015, compared to 1,713 in 2014. More than a thousand of these individuals registered to use Via’s door-through-door, driver-assisted transportation service; and Via’s Mobility Specialists provided information and assistance to the remaining 1,300 people who are facing mobility challenges for themselves or a loved one. Via was founded on the following beliefs, which continue to provide the foundation for all we do: * We believe all people have a right to live as independently as possible within their life circumstances. * We believe freedom of movement is a basic human need in our society.
To address the first of these challenges, Via has increased driver wages across the board, believing that our front-line employees are our most important resource. In light of current funding constraints, we continue to broker trips to other providers like taxis and volunteer programs when that is a cost-effective option…nearly 11,000 trips last year. Last fall, we initiated our own volunteer driver program to complement and extend our Via Paratransit Service beyond its current limited capacity, and we look forward to growing this program. With strong support from our community of donors, funders and volunteers, we will continue to enhance the mobility and independence of individuals who might otherwise be isolated and unable to participate in all the community has to offer. We thank you in advance for your partnership in this effort.
Executive Director
* We believe everybody counts and has a contribution to make to the community in which they live. In the face of rapidly growing needs and constrained resources, we are challenged to realign, sustain and grow our services to ensure that people with limited mobility receive the help they need to maintain their independence and connection to the community. Significant challenges for Via include a national driver shortage that is especially acute in the Denver metro area, the compelling need to raise rider fares, declining revenue from earned income contracts, and a changing medical landscape and volatile stock market that have led to reduced funding from some key partners in the medical field as well as foundations.
Save the Date! Via’s 2nd Annual Golf Classic Saturday, July 30, 2016 Indian Peaks Golf Course, Lafayette, CO
“Sponsors and golfers wanted!”
Contact Carolyn Jannsen at 303.473.2883 or cjannsen@viacolorado.org if you are interested in sponsorship opportunities of if you would like to volunteer at the event.