United Way, Toyota Celebrate Milestone in Ride United Program
Two factors – community growth and employer needs – have come together to give United Way of Madison County’s free “Ride United” program a lift in the past two years. Since its implementation here in 2020, Ride United has hit a milestone, providing nearly 3,000 free rides to and from essential services such as job interviews, healthcare appointments and jobs.
At a recent event sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama, United Way shared news about the continued success of the Ride United program, and encouraged more companies in Madison County to take advantage of it.
“This program has come to Madison County at just the right time,” said United Way’s Community Impact Director Cathy Miller. “United Way and our community have created a collaborative network to share this program with those who need it.
“We are already seeing results from this initiative.”
Ride United is a national United Way program but its implementation in Madison County is the largest and most extensive in Alabama.
An answer for those who struggle with transportation to job interviews, Toyota Alabama representatives say the free program is a valuable hiring resource for Human Resource teams across the county. After 18 months in partnership with United Way, Toyota said Ride United is setting records for the number of people getting rides to work and pre-employment events, such as interviews and job fairs. Recently, 46 people used the program to take them to job interviews.
“We are proud to contribute to our community’s continual leadership in workforce development and the local economy,” said Clay Vandiver, CEO/President of United Way of Madison County.
While a lack of reliable, safe, convenient transportation is a growing problem for thousands of Madison County workers, it is also a problem for people seeking access to health care, healthy food, to apply for public benefits, and the like.
Ride United addresses these transportation needs for people and families in our area; and, since the pandemic, they now deliver food and household goods to anyone who needs it, especially older adults, and individuals with higher vulnerability.
