Without a car, many low-­income individuals and families in rural areas would be unable to accept a job, be denied access to employment training and education, or be cut off from health care, child care and other essential services. With the support of a start up grant from a regional Workforce Partnership, the Rural Law Center formed an area partnership to create a model charitable car donation program.

 

On the strength of the pilot program's successes, the Center went on to win funding for the partnership from the New York State Department of Labor that has resulted in the placement of over 420 vehicles in the past five years. In order to qualify for this program, recipients must be currently working or have a job offer, be financially responsible for at least one child under the age of eighteen, and have a good driving record. Once they are qualified, they enter into a contract and begin making small monthly payments into an escrow account that can be accessed, when necessary, to pay for future insurance or upkeep.

 

The program secures reliable, reconditioned vehicles and affects the title transfers. Before transfer, recipients attend safe-driving classes. Upon receipt of a car, the program provides registration fees, the first 6 months of insurance and a one-year AAA membership. Families, who qualify to receive a car through this program, have the opportunity to leave public assistance, get further education, have expanded employment options and gain the ability to break the generational cycle of poverty.