Good News Garage Awards 1st Vehicle Under Empower New Haven’s New Driver Program

Good News Garage proudly awarded a vehicle to Shirley Carey of New Haven, CT under the Empower New Driver Program. The program is designed to assist those residing in the empowerment zone neighborhoods of New Haven who always wanted to learn to drive and own a car, but never had the chance due to limited financial ability. Car ownership will enable program recipients to access better paying jobs, which were previously not possible due to transportation barriers. Working in partnership, Good News Garage and Empower New Haven administer this program, enabling low-income individuals to attend driving school (which consists of two hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of driving time) earn their motor vehicle drivers’ license and receive a refurbished vehicle. All of these expenses are paid for under the New Driver Program. In addition clients are provided a $500 stipend to be applied toward auto insurance.

Carey is the first recipient under this new program. Carey has overcome many obstacles in her life and has taken a cab for years to arrive on time to a 6am shift at a job in West Haven. The bus system does not start until later in the morning rendering public transportation an inviable option given her early start time. A single mother of two boys, Carey has been unable to afford to go to driving school and purchase a vehicle - a situation not unlike many other hard working low income families. Upon receiving the car Carey stated, “I can’t express how much it means for people who can’t afford a car of their own to be able to get such a generous gift. I thank you very much.” Carey received a 1992 Toyota Tercel with 120,000 miles, just in time for Christmas.

Good News Garage was recently awarded the Workpower Partner Award for its multiple years of service in the empowerment neighborhoods at Empower New Haven’s Annual Meeting in December. Since partnering in 2002, Good News Garage and Empower New Haven have awarded 157 vehicles.

Good News Garage, an affiliate of Lutheran Social Services of New England, accepts, repairs and awards donated vehicles to individuals and families in need. Recipients use the vehicles as a “wheels to work” tool to get more hours at work, access higher paying jobs and affordable child and healthcare. For more information or to donate a car, call toll-free 877-GIVE-AUTO or donate online at www.goodnewsgarage.org.