We’ve been spreading the word recently about AgeWell Rides, a new volunteer transportation service offered by AgeWell Pittsburgh through JF&CS, and we’re gaining momentum in the community! AgeWell Rides matches local volunteer drivers with seniors who do not or cannot drive and need reliable transportation to go to medical appointments, grocery shopping or socialize in the community.
Currently, about 60 older adults are registered with AgeWell Rides, but we are still in need of volunteer drivers who have a few hours to spare and are looking for an easy and rewarding way to make a difference in a senior’s life. Through volunteering, drivers help older adults stay connected in our community and remain active and independent. Volunteers can give as many or as few rides as they wish! AgeWell Rides provides volunteer training, flexible schedules, secondary insurance for drivers and more. To learn more about becoming a volunteer driver, click here.
AgeWell Rides has also gotten some mileage in the local press this month! We hope you’ll take a few moments to read some of the articles below:
•June 20, 2014
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “AgeWell Rides connects seniors with drivers”
•June 17, 2014
NEXTpittsburgh: “AgeWell Rides – Like Lyft and Uber for Seniors, only FREE”
•June 5, 2014
The Jewish Chronicle: Pittsburgh program proves there is such thing as a free ride
At JF&CS, we’ve recognized the need for reliable transportation options for our community’s growing senior population and through AgeWell Rides we’re keeping our community’s older adults as active and independent as possible. AgeWell Rides is a community-wide effort and offered in collaboration with Repair the World: Pittsburgh and the United Way of Allegheny County’s Open Your Heart to a Senior initiative.
For more information about AgeWell Rides, click here. To schedule a ride or to volunteer, contact Ellen Leger at 412-422-0400 or email agewellrides@jfcspgh.org. To learn more about additional services and resources for older adults and their loved ones, visit our website at www.jfcspgh.org or call the AgeWell Pittsburgh hotline at 1-877-243-1530 (toll-free) or call 412-422-0400.