SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– Jewish Family Service of San Diego’s On the Go program, founded in 2008, has recently expanded its Rides & Smiles operations to five additional zip codes in the San Diego region. The zip codes are 92014, 92029, 92108, 92116, and 92123.
Rides & Smiles, one of three components of On the Go: Transportation Solutions for Older Adults, is an award-winning program that provides transportation for older adults to necessary medical appointments, grocery shopping, and other life necessities in the North County Inland area, as well as Northern and Eastern San Diego. Rides & Smiles is the largest volunteer-based transportation service in San Diego County. Other components of the JFS On the Go program include shuttle service, organized excursions, and taxi scrip.
The expanded service area means that On the Go anticipates providing more than 42,000 rides in the next year, which has triggered a Volunteer Recruitment Campaign for its transportation services. Community volunteers play a vital role in the continuation of these community-based programs, which is why Jewish Family Service is hoping to recruit 100 new volunteers this year, with a heavy emphasis in the newly expanded service areas. On the Go will hold a “Join Our Driving Force” to recruit new volunteers on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at the JFS – Turk Family Center, Room 101. Three times for this all-in-one orientation and training are available: 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. (Room 318); 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; and 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required at www.jfssd.org/otgvolapp.
“Individuals age 60 years and older represent the fastest growing segment of San Diego County’s population, with the number of residents expected to more than double by 2030,” said Meredith Morgenroth, Jewish Family Service Director, Senior Transportation. “The lack of easy, accessible, and affordable transportation for seniors is a problem recognized at the national, state, and local levels.”
Compared with those who still drive, older non-drivers make 15% fewer trips to the doctor, 59% fewer shopping trips and visits to restaurants, and 65% fewer trips for social, family, and religious activities (American Public Transportation Association). Rides & Smiles, one service component of On the Go, has provided 175,000 rides to more than 2,200 older adults over the past 5 years.
Morgenroth added, “On the Go applied for and was awarded $325,000 in new vehicles through CALTRANS. Over the following months, the vehicles were custom built to On the Go’s specifications—making each of them wheelchair lift-equipped. In all, On the Go is proud to add one 7-passenger mini-van, one 16-passenger, and two 24-passenger vehicles to the fleet. This has facilitated our growth into new zip codes as we provide vital transportation services to more and more seniors in need.”
For additional information about On the Go: Transportation Solutions for Older Adults, please call (858) 637-3050 or visit www.jfssd.org/onthego
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Preceding provided by Jewish Family Service