One of the biggest barriers to employment that financially struggling people face is transportation. Most of the time, if you don’t have a car, you can’t get to work. AWARE, Inc., an important partner with United Way, helps address this need when it can. Here’s a great example:
It doesn’t happen often, but now and then AWARE, Inc., will receive a donated vehicle. Earlier this year the agency received one such gift. AWARE was able to facilitate the transaction safely and confidentially between a survivor in the shelter and the owner of the vehicle. The client had a valid driver’s license and the ability to assure insurance coverage. AWARE assisted with the cost of transferring the title and plates using our flexible funding program. With the donated vehicle, the client was able to get to a job.
United Way also helps local employees dealing with transportation issues through the JobSTAR initiative. Learn more about our work, and how you can support United Way, at uwjackson.org.