Moving experience: Grant puts poor on road

That scenario is a reality for many residents of low-income housing.

"Most of the people in [low-income] housing are single mothers," said Paul Feldman, director of the Family Investment Program of the Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority. "They have to get the kids to daycare and school, and get to work. Public transportation is fine when you just have to get to a job on the bus route."

Work-bound

According to John Steele, executive director of Catholic Charities of Schenectady County, many people take for granted the benefits of owning a car. But without reliable transportation, people have difficulties making it to job interviews, transporting children to daycare and getting to work.

"The main idea behind the grant is to provide vehicles so people can get to work," he said. "Often, the better-paying jobs are outside of cities. This will allow people to get to jobs that are not on the public transportation route."

Pilot effort

According to Mr. Feldman, the pilot program allowed one woman to get her own business off the ground. "It's worked out very well," he said. "Some of the people have lost jobs in the past because of not having reliable transportation," but car ownership is often out of a low-income family's reach.

The new program does more than provide people with transportation. Catholic Charities will help participants develop skills to help them succeed in the workplace. In addition, participants will receive a one-year membership to the American Automobile Association, participate in a driving course, receive credit counseling and emergency car repair, and participate in an affordable loan program.

"Our ultimate goal is to assist applicants in developing skills that will allow them to continue car ownership and sustained employment once the first year of financial assistance through the program has come to an end," Mr. Steele said.

Seeking vehicles

Four local auto repair shops will repair the cars at a reduced rate. Recipients of the vehicles will be required to pay $300 toward the cost of obtaining the car.

In addition to Catholic Charities and the Schenectady Municipal Housing Authority, other agencies involved in the project include Jobs Etc., a program of the Schenectady Inner City Ministry, and the Schenectady County Job Training Agency.

Mr. Feldman credits Catholic Charities for getting this program off the ground. "This has been a big undertaking for Catholic Charities," he said. "They started from nothing."

(The program officially begins on January 1, but the agency has started a waiting list for those who would like to be considered for participation. To donate a vehicle or for more information, contact Catholic Charities of Schenectady County at 372-5667.)

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