Free Ride
Program supplies those in need with cars, repairsBy ZACH SUBAR/The Leader-Herald
Article Photos
Fact Box
To qualify for wheels
In order to be eligible for Wheels For Work, an individual must:
Not own a car or be a member of a household in which a car is registered or titled. People who own cars in need of repair also could qualify to receive money to have their cars fixed.
Have a family income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or be a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipient.
Be employed or have an employment guarantee.
Have a good driving record with no DWI or DUI arrests.
Have a minor child in the household, or be expecting.
To apply: Call Coordinator Beverly Ball at 853-8362.
Wendy Baker would begin her morning commute at 6:15 a.m. at the "four corners" in Gloversville to catch a ride on the public bus to the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Johnstown. She would then start her 45-minute, 2 1/2-mile downhill walk to Fonda to arrive in time for her 8 a.m. shift at Subway on Main Street.
When her shift ended at 2 p.m., she would turn around and do it all in reverse. It would take her more than an hour to go roughly 8 miles each way.
"It was horrible," she said of her commute.
Now, thanks to an initiative funded by the state Office of Temporary Disability and Assistance, she can drive to work in her own car.
Wheels For Work, a program run by the Fulmont Community Action Agency, was set up to serve Fulton, Montgomery and Schoharie counties in 2001.
Coordinator Beverly Ball said it provides used vehicles or, in Baker's case, vehicular repairs to individuals who have a household income at or below 200 percent of the federal income poverty level, which varies depending on the number of people in a household, or who qualify to be Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients.
In order to be eligible, one must either be employed or have an employment guarantee of at least 30 hours per week. They must possess a driver's license with a good record and need to have at least one child in the house or be expecting.
Baker, whose five children walked to school when her car was not working, found out about the program from a Head Start pamphlet sent home with her child. Her car needed its oxygen sensor and two CV joints replaced, so she applied for the program and got her car assessed by Schlegel's Auto Service Center in Gloversville. Since the repairs she needed were below the $500 limit allowed under the program, she qualified for the assistance.
The necessary repairs were made, and Baker now drives to work every day.
"I think it's a great program," she said. "Without them, actually, I'd probably still be walking back and forth."
Cars with less than 150,000 miles and lien-free titles are donated to the program by private citizens, local businesses and non-profit organizations. The cars then are given to individuals who qualify for the program.
Vehicles not donated are bought from Lee Schopmeier Restorations in Gloversville. Prices for those cars depend on need, so a larger family would command a higher price. It is the shop's job to find a car within the requisite price range. Schopmeier has been working with Wheels For Work for almost a year.
"It's a great program, and it's really fulfilling to see the people go through this program and finally get a car that's safe and reliable to get them back to work," said owner Lee Schopmeier.
Amsterdam resident Javier Fontan had sold his car and was spending roughly $25 per day on taxi rides from his home to his job at Keymark in Fonda when he found out about the program from his son's pre-kindergarten Head Start. He applied and has been driving a 2002 Ford Taurus since March.
"It was a great help ... it was kind of borderline that I would lose my job because of the lack of transportation," he said.
Program participants must attend monthly family development sessions with Sharon Thomas, the family development program coordinator, for one year.
"We set long-term goals to improve their lifestyle," Thomas said. "It could be as small as creating a budget for their household and [as big as] changing their careers."
Fontan said Thomas encouraged him to pursue a job in talk radio, something he would love to do but would have never had the courage to ask for on his own. He called, and was denied, but was hopeful about similar future opportunities.
"At least I gave it a shot," he said.
Fontan's family, though, did move to a better apartment in Amsterdam after Thomas pushed him to do so.
Wheels For Work participants must submit monthly pay stubs and proof of insurance for the duration of the year, since the program places a lien on the vehicle for that period. During a one-time Saturday course, they undergo auto maintenance training, learn about car insurance options and receive advice on how best to plan a budget.
Once they meet all requirements, they own the vehicle with no restrictions.
"With the economic situation right now, everyone is struggling just to keep their jobs. The clients that we're dealing with are struggling financially to begin with, and this is just a piece that can help them maintain their work situation," Ball said. "Getting to work shouldn't be the hardest part of their day."
Fulmont Director Denis Wilson said the program has helped 150 to 200 households since its inception, but Ball said she always is looking for new participants. Most participants now, she said, come from Montgomery County, and she would like more participation from Fulton County.
Those interested in applying for the program may call 853-8362 to speak with Ball.
Zach Subar covers rural Fulton County news. He can be reached at ruralnews@leaderherald.com
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becky1965
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02-04-09 8:05 PM
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this souds cool o will have yo look it up when i get my licance
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PAM1020
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01-14-09 10:26 AM
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GLAD TO HEAR THAT THERE ARE MORE PROGRAMS OUT THERE TO THAT NEED TO BE USED!
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resident69
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01-13-09 1:47 PM
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50 grand, must be a political appointed director of some lame department in the county and that's a pay cut for some.
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Stackrat
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01-13-09 1:26 PM
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Anyone who is presently walking up and down Fonda Hill,to get to work and back to 5 kids, please step forward so we can help you too. Scarecrow..If you make 50 grand and you hav'nt a plan to get to work, your probably over paid.
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rsoxfan33
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01-13-09 11:07 AM
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i never minded helping someone who is willing to help themselfs..i have to believe that if she was not able to take advantage of this program that she would find a way to fix her own car..it just would've taken longer..sounds like a great program..
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Scarecrow57
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01-13-09 10:36 AM
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Great program, but once again, it is income based rather than needs based. How about the guy making say $50,000 a year, barley makes ends meet, and his car dies. He works and needs the car to get to work. If his car dies an he can show the need, why not help him as well?
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Stackrat
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01-13-09 9:41 AM
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It was nice to read, that somone who is willing to EARN something, with hard work, got a much needed favor from the community. People that are willing to help themselves, deserve it! Keep up the hard work Wendy, your children will appreciate it.
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jtownobserver
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01-13-09 7:54 AM
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Here is a person who is out there working to support her children instead of sitting on her butt collecting from the taxpayers to live. I don't know if I could have walked 2.5 miles to Fonda. I 'm glad she got her car fixed. She deserves it.
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stratford
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01-13-09 5:46 AM
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they could "fix" the issue with public transport. oh I forgot the republicans that run fulton county waste gas just like bush taught them. good thing they can wave flags or they would be out of work like the rest of us.
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jforsey02
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01-12-09 8:51 PM
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Great to finally see someone who actually needs the help get it. Good luck Wendy i miss ya
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Discobulous
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01-12-09 8:06 PM
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That bus ought to go down there. Heck, the FJ&G used to do it. All the bus has to do is put it in neutral and coast.
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tommylarry
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01-12-09 5:14 PM
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kudos to castlebury...you took the words right outta my mouth
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AreaResident
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01-12-09 3:57 PM
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I'm glad that she doesn't have to make that trip on foot anymore, but the better solution, and probably cheaper for taxpayers in the long run, would be to simply extend the bus route to Fonda a few times a day. The extra 2 1/2 miles from the industrial park to the Subway in Fonda would only add a few minutes to the route. And Montgomery County runs its MAX bus service several times a day along Rt. 5. from Amsterdam to St. Johnsville. It's $1 each way, which is probably cheaper than operating a car.
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Discobulous
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01-12-09 2:59 PM
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I'm glad this got some publicity. I donated a car to it back in '03 and it was nice to see something go to a low income WORKING person for once.
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resident69
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01-12-09 2:27 PM
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give her kudo's for supporting her 5 children by working. It's amazing with 2 subway up here she has to work down there. I give her credit for doing that. Still the Leader should have titled it something other then "FREE RIDE" sounds like she got it for nothing.
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castlebury
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01-12-09 1:36 PM
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Sounds like a good program and kudos to her for actually working despite not having a vehicle to drive. Most people would have used that as an excuse to sit home and collect. My only thought was you may have been able to afford to fix your vehicle if you weren't spitting out 5 kids. Try Planned Parenthood, they provide free protection last I knew.
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resident69
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01-12-09 1:19 PM
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a small percent of people who believe it or not really does want to work have a hard time locating work for whatever the reason. So a program like this is handy. Now the abuse of welfare by generations of the same families need overhauling. Work or Starve!!!
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paladin
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01-12-09 1:08 PM
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How about just working and leaving the "system" out of it all together?
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LoyalSocialist
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01-12-09 11:55 AM
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WTW is a great program. An account is set up at a local bank where the recipient has to put a certain percentage of money in it every month for maintanance i believe. Its not like the person is given the car and thats it, they have to work, have a kid and show a need to get the money/vehicle. Things like this give the recipient the ability to keep working, instead of quitting due to not being able to get to work and staying on the system.
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paladin
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01-12-09 11:29 AM
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It should be titled: Free Repairs
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resident69
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01-12-09 11:09 AM
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Bad title for this, I was all set to blast it as another waste of taxpayers money. Instead it seems to actually do some good. While the picture immediately got the reaction of gas guzzer, it's her's and she needed repairs. What happens in the future if a person's car breaks down again? So far I see it as a good program in helping people get to work. How about the cars seized from drug dealers, some of them would make some mighty fine rides.
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