The Boys and Girls Club of Rutland County has announced a new transportation program. The Youth Transportation Access Project was designed to support families in Rutland. Planning began after the club interviewed local teenagers through surveys and at monthly city meetings. “The question was asked, like, what are some barriers to maybe third place activities or things like that and a lot of teens mentioned the fact that they don’t have transportation,” said Nicole Rice, executive director at the Boys and Girls Club of Rutland County. Rice said a big part of the project is giving teens with working parents more opportunities to join after school programs. “Kids who maybe are great athletes and could be on like a rec program, or who want to try martial arts or theater, they can’t get to those activities,” said Rice. Thanks to a grant from the Rutland Regional Medical Center, the Boys and Girls Club had the means to buy a new van and hire a full-time driver. Staff will pick up and drop off students who don’t have reliable transportation to afternoon activities, sports practices medical appointments and other commitments. “We have so many kids who are interested in doing new things, trying new sports, trying new clubs, um, wanting to just get out in the community a little bit more. And so being able to get a new van, have this access is going to be huge,” said Boys and Girls Club Director Malik Hines. Rice explained the nonprofit is working to set up a direct phone line and app so parents can easily request rides for their children. “We’ll be able to schedule them kind of on a first come, first serve and then bring them to those appointments or to school,” she said. Rice hopes to have the program up and running soon then grow it over time. After applying in the fall, the Rutland Boys and Girls Club recently received the first grant installment and bought the van but still need to hire a new driver before the program is put into action.
The Boys and Girls Club of Rutland County has announced a new transportation program. The Youth Transportation Access Project was designed to support families in Rutland.
Planning began after the club interviewed local teenagers through surveys and at monthly city meetings.
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“The question was asked, like, what are some barriers to maybe third place activities or things like that and a lot of teens mentioned the fact that they don’t have transportation,” said Nicole Rice, executive director at the Boys and Girls Club of Rutland County.
Rice said a big part of the project is giving teens with working parents more opportunities to join after school programs.
“Kids who maybe are great athletes and could be on like a rec program, or who want to try martial arts or theater, they can’t get to those activities,” said Rice.
Thanks to a grant from the Rutland Regional Medical Center, the Boys and Girls Club had the means to buy a new van and hire a full-time driver. Staff will pick up and drop off students who don’t have reliable transportation to afternoon activities, sports practices medical appointments and other commitments.
“We have so many kids who are interested in doing new things, trying new sports, trying new clubs, um, wanting to just get out in the community a little bit more. And so being able to get a new van, have this access is going to be huge,” said Boys and Girls Club Director Malik Hines.
Rice explained the nonprofit is working to set up a direct phone line and app so parents can easily request rides for their children.
“We’ll be able to schedule them kind of on a first come, first serve and then bring them to those appointments or to school,” she said.
Rice hopes to have the program up and running soon then grow it over time.
After applying in the fall, the Rutland Boys and Girls Club recently received the first grant installment and bought the van but still need to hire a new driver before the program is put into action.
