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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-19-2001-5aORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 19, 2001 Action Agenda Item No. _ ,~-g_ SUBJECT: Resolution -- Commission for Women Wheels to Work DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Annette Moore, ext 2254 Resolution TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 9fi8-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution of support for the Commission for Women Wheels toy Work Program. BACKGROUND: During the FY 1999-2000, the Orange County Commission for Women (hereinafter referred to as °CFW") began to explore the assistance available to low income working families facing financial disaster due to a temporary health or employment emergency. In their exploration with Department of Social Services and others, the CFW teamed that while there was support for families needing assistance with food, clothing and shelter, there was little assistance to aid low-income families with necessary transportation. The need for transportation assistance is attributed to the complexities of car ownership, maintenance and the lack of adequate public transportation. The CFW recommended to the Board of County Commissioners that Orange County adopt a program to meet the transportation needs of low-income citizens. The program now named Wheels to Work will support residents in meeting their transportation needs by: • obtaining cars through donations from the county, dealers and private individuals; • enlisting mechanics to contribute low cost services for repairs and maintenance of vehicles; • providing administrative support for the program; and • creating a low cost revolving loan fund to assist clients with repairs and maintenance of existing or donated vehicles. Members of the Commission for Woman will assist the transportation coordinator in identifying resources for the program such as: • seeking the cooperation of dealers in encouraging car donations; • contacting mechanics to help repair and maintain the donated vehicles; • seeking donation of cars from various sources; • approaching business and banks about contributions and matching funds for a revolving loan fund; and • educating local agencies on the benefit of the program and the need to identify persons eligible for the program. The Commission for Women appeared before the Board at the FY 2000-01 budget hearings to request an extension on the part time-time limited Mobility Specialist position (now the Transportation Coordinator) and an allocation of $3,000 for the project. The BOCC at their June 29, 2000 meeting passed a resolution commending the Commission for Women on this project. In the FY 2000-01 Budget, the BOCC approved extending the Transportation Specialist time-limited position with the responsibilities included for the Wheels to Work Program and allocated $3,000 to the program. The Transportation Coordinator was hired in October and began to put the program together with the Commission for Women. In developing the program, the CFW's research indicated that in many cases transportation programs were either coordinated by non-profit agencies or conducted in collaboration with non-profits. The CFW and the Transportation Coordinator contacted at least three of the major non-profit groups in Orange County whose mission corresponded to the goals of this project. After many months of waiting for a response, all local non-profit groups turned down the project. CFW then approached Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers (TROSA). TROSA, a social entrepreneurial non-profit organization dedicated to helping substance abusers change their lives, agreed to be a partner in the project. For several reasons, TROSA is the ideal partner for the project: - because they have a current dealership license; - because-they have mechanics and a full service auto repair and body shop on their premises; - they already have a program where TROSA graduates are allowed to purchase donated vehicles for the price of parts to repair the vehicle at TROSA's automotive/body shop; and - persons donating vehicles will be able to receive charitable contribution receipts. Additionally, the CFW has developed a back up plan to facilitate the distribution of vehicles if for some reason TROSA does not work out as a partner. Members of the CFW and other citizens have created `a non-profit group, the "Friends of the Commission for Women." The purpose of the Friends is to improve the quality of life for women and .children in Orange County, North Carolina through the development and coordination of community resources and services and the building of relationships and alliances with other community organizations. This organization is fully incorporated and has filed recognition of tax. exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service and is awaiting that determination. The Department of Human Rights and Relations helped to facilitate the creation of the new organization in their role as staff support to the Commission for Women. However, all parties are aware that the non-profit created will be a volunteer organization and is not staff-supported by the Department. With the above mentioned items in place, the Transportation Coordinator and the Commission for Women are poised to begin the program, which already has persons waiting to both donate vehicles and receive vehicles. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolution supporting the Wheels to Work Program. '°~ ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Resolution Commission for Women Wheels to Work Program WHEREAS, the Orange County Commission for Women has a long and distinguished history of concern for and assistance to women and their families in Orange County; and, WHEREAS, the Commission for Women, along with the Departments of Human Rights and Relations and Social Services and Orange Public Transportation, and its community partners, TROSA and the Friends of the Commission for Women, have collaborated together to assist low-income families in meeting their transportation needs; and, WHEREAS, the Commission for Women along with its community partners, TROSA and the Friends of the Commission for Women, hope to help families secure safe, reliable transportation through the Wheels to Work Program; NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of County Commissioners hereby pledges its support to the Wheels for Work Program and commends all involved parties on their efforts. This the 19th day of June, 2001. Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair Orange County Board of County Commissioners