For individuals striving for financial stability, securing employment is a crucial first step. However, the challenge of reliable transportation often looms large, especially for low-income job seekers. The burden of car payments, coupled with the difficulty of simply getting to work, can significantly hinder their progress.
Recognizing this critical need, Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan previously operated the impactful Workers on Wheels (WOW) program. This initiative provided a pathway to vehicle ownership for low-income families, enabling them to commute to work and manage essential daily errands.
For over a decade, the WOW program partnered with Jack’s Auto Sales and Services, a local car dealership, to maximize the impact of vehicle donations. This collaboration was crucial in ensuring that donated cars were effectively utilized to support the program’s mission.
Jack Tokie, owner of Jack’s Auto Sales and Services, explained to The Ticker how their involvement began: “We started out inspecting and servicing the donated cars, advising whether they were worth getting back on the street or not.” This initial assessment was vital for ensuring the program distributed roadworthy and dependable vehicles.
The program also demonstrated resourcefulness by strategically managing donations. When a high-value vehicle was donated – one that might be too expensive for recipients to insure – Goodwill worked with Jack’s Auto Sales to sell it. The proceeds from this sale were then reinvested to purchase multiple, more practical and affordable vehicles. This innovative approach allowed the program to serve a greater number of families in need. LuAnn Heinert, the former director of the Goodwill WOW program, elaborated on this strategy: “Sometimes we’ll receive a vehicle that because of its high value and thus, higher insurance requirements, may not be a prudent placement for our families in need.”
A compelling example of the program’s effectiveness involved a family who donated a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country minivan after the aging patriarch could no longer drive. Through the partnership with Jack’s Auto Sales, this single donation was transformed into three reliable vehicles for deserving families: a 2003 Kia Sedona, a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport, and a 1996 Plymouth Voyager.
Heinert emphasized the invaluable contribution of their automotive partner: “Jack’s went through a lot of work for us to make this happen; I can’t tell you how many times they’ve come through for us,” Heinert said. “It’s really refreshing that we have people like this in our community.” The Goodwill Cars To Work Program, through strategic partnerships and community support, effectively addressed a significant barrier to employment for low-income individuals, highlighting the power of community-based solutions in fostering economic opportunity.
