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Three local families gained some independence this week as recipients of a refurbished vehicle through the Rebuilding Wheels Rebuilding Lives program.
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Students at Ecole secondaire catholique EJ Lajeunesse rehabilitated two vehicles for a couple of Windsor families while students at Leamington District Secondary School worked on another car and were presenting the keys to a Leamington family Thursday.
“We’re new to Canada,” said Leamington resident Paulina Martinez Morales. “This vehicle will help me obtain a diploma from St. Clair College, as well as provide transportation to English classes for my husband and extra-curricular activities for my three children.”
Since 2014, the program offered by United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County has seen 440 students work on 15 donated vehicles.
“This vehicle eases the time burden and stress of using public transportation to attend work, school, and medical appointments,” said Windsor’s Melissa Luce. “This is especially important to me since members of my family live with different disabilities, including epilepsy and diabetes.”
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Access to transportation can be a barrier for some families, and owning a reliable vehicle can be a game changer. Dependable transportation can help people secure stable employment, access post-secondary education, and help parents support themselves and their families.
“I am a single mother of three, as well as a grandmother of two,” said Windsor’s Alicia Collier of East Windsor. “After experiencing layoffs during the pandemic, I completed a diploma at St. Clair College. This vehicle will support me as I start a new career.”
According to the website activatetransitwindsoressex.cachallenges with frequency and reliability of public transit are factors that affect people’s ability to participate in the economy through work or running errands.
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“The program provides a simple solution that ensures families have equitable access to economic opportunities in our region,” said Lorraine Goddard, CEO at United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County.
Student mechanics benefit from the opportunity to work on a “real life” project that also supports the community.
This marked the first time Leamington District students participated in the program. Six students and teacher Mark Dewhurst took the van and brought it up to safety standards as well doing some minor body work.
Recipients are selected by United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County through an application process that balances financial and family needs with the ability to afford the ongoing cost of car ownership.
If members of the public are interested in donating your vehicle to the Rebuilding Wheels Rebuilding Lives Program, please contact United Way at 519-259-6169. A charitable tax receipt can be provided.