Home » News & Events » JCA receives $713,000 in transportation grants
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) awarded two, two-year grants to JCA – the Jewish Council for the Aging – for its transportation programs.
The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board at COG recently approved funding for 24 projects that support mobility for seniors and those with disabilities. The Federal Transit Administration’s Enhanced Mobility Program provided the grant money.
JCA’s Network of Volunteer Drivers Plus received $521,313. This money will be used to train drivers and administrators, pay the monthly licensing fee for ride-scheduling software, cover the cost of background checks for all drivers, provide marketing materials and advise community organizations on how to recruit and retain volunteers.
“We are grateful for this grant. It allows JCA and the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia to continue our support of volunteer driver transportation programs which allow seniors and adults with disabilities in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Northern Virginia to age in place,” said Sara Fought, JCA’s senior director of the Center for Information Services.
“It’s all about promoting growth,” said Cristina Obando-Lemos, JCA’s Village Rides coordinator. This program supports 15 community organizations, 12 in Montgomery County and three in Prince George’s County. Pozez JCC’s NV Rides has 14 community organization partners.
The second grant for $191,717 will be used at JCA’s Elderbus program, which annually transports more than 60,000 seniors to therapeutic day programs, shopping and social and recreational activities at five senior centers on its 15 wheelchair-accessible buses. The grant will be used for oversight, insurance, fuel and other costs. The two grants will be partially matched by JCA and other sources.
