Judy Kramer
County Reporter
Missouri has 19 community action agencies across the state serving low-income individuals and families through a variety of direct services to help them achieve self-sufficiency. West Missouri Community Action Agency (WCMCAA), that serves Benton and nine other counties, began New Growth Transit, LLC about three years ago to provide rides to health and wellness appointments for people who needed transportation. About six months ago the program was introduced in Warsaw and volunteer drivers are being recruited.
“I am going to doctor’s offices, senior centers and libraries to inform the public about this community service and to recruit volunteer drivers,” said Marissa Scott, Community Mobility Coordinator with New Growth Transit. “I give out cards to individuals with contact information so those needing a ride can call us and get on our schedule. We can’t schedule a same-day ride. We need at least 48 hours advanced notice. A ride may be scheduled by calling 417-283-7991 Monday through Thursday. But the actual rides are available evenings and weekends as well as during weekdays.”
Kelly Ast, Chief Mobility Officer with WCMCAA, said that volunteer drivers must be 21 years of age or older. They are screened with a background check before being certified. Then, they are trained and provided a tablet that lists ride reservations they can choose from. The volunteer driver decides whether to give rides in town, or to drive longer distances. He or she may also do both types of driving. Once a driver accepts a scheduled ride, necessary information about the person and destination is provided. These volunteers have technology brought to their individual cars that records their trip in real time -- a safety feature. New Growth Transit gets a digital map of each completed ride.
“We have provided 30,000 miles of service in the 10 counties that we serve during 2023,” said Ast. “We did less than that during the whole year in 2022 so we are expanding in service and new technology. Our volunteer drivers receive mileage reimbursement at the federally approved rate of $.655 per mile. They are not allowed to receive tips from their riders. However, if a rider wants to make a donation to New Growth Transit, it is permissible.”
Scott said that although funds are available for the program through a federal block grant, there is not a lot of money available, and fundraisers are often held.
There are six staff members running the New Growth Transit program in WCMCAA. Ast has been trying to get this program working for seven years while working throughout the state in some of the other 19 agencies, as well as during the past five years that she has been with WCMCAA. Scott began working with the program in December 2022.
Anyone interested in serving the community as a volunteer driver can call (660) 476-2185, extension 2020 to reach Marissa Scott directly.
