Wheels to Work stuck

Wheels to Work is spinning its wheels.

Funding from the New York State Department of Labor for the Albany diocesan Catholic Charities program that provides used, donated cars to low-income people was cut from Gov. George Pataki's proposed 2005-'06 budget, effectively eliminating the program.

Now, Catholic Charities of Schenectady County, which runs the program, is searching for new funding to help the 200 families on the waiting list for vehicles.

Exhausted

John Steele, the agency's executive director, told The Evangelist that Wheels to Work's two case managers and secretary have been terminated. The program's director, the only staff member still working, is able only to follow up on clients previously matched with cars, not to provide cars to new clients.

In order to continue, said Mr. Steele, Wheels to Work would need $200,000 per year, which would provide 30 people with vehicles. The total includes the cost of repairing cars, case management, insurance, defensive driving courses and budget counseling.

Wheels to Work helps low-income families so they don't have to depend on public transportation, which often limits them to jobs along a bus route. Donated cars are not more than ten years old with less than 150,000 miles.

Idling

Mr. Steele said that Catholic Charities doesn't yet know whether the program will be funded when the state budget is finalized, but the program was not mentioned in the budget as receiving its usual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant.

Catholic Charities has been negotiating with Schenectady County to continue the program. Mr. Steele said that the county has agreed to "float" the program through April. After that, the program will cease unless other funding is found.

The director noted that the program can't even accept donations of cars at the moment. "I don't know what will happen long-term," he added. "It's all in process right now."

(3/31/05)