Helping people get 'behind the wheel and on their feet'

Mechanics work on a donated auto. WEST LONG BRANCH — It's a fact of life in many New Jersey towns: people who do not have access to a car and who do not live near public transportation may find their employment opportunities severely limited.

To address this problem, Monmouth Cares launched the Family Lift Adopt-ACar program to help financially strapped families throughout the county. Family Lift, a registered nonprofit based in West Long Branch, helps to provide families in need with donated cars that can help them better their lives.

"Studies show that people are more likely to find steady employment when they have access to a vehicle," explained Family Lift Project Manager Kathy Maude.

"But all too often, buying and maintaining a reliable automobile is too expensive for families struggling to make ends meet.

"Family Lift meets those needs by accepting donated cars, having them repaired to safe, reliable levels, and distributing them to needy Monmouth Cares families," Maude explained.

A division of the state's Division of Child Behavioral Heath Services' (DCHS) System of Care, Monmouth Cares Inc. helps families of children with emotional and behavioral challenges build a promising future.

In 2006, Monmouth Cares decided to look into the problem that not having a vehicle can present for families living in Monmouth County.

"Public transportation is designed to accommodate the 9-to-5 commuters who need to get from one city destination to another during the normal work week," Maude said.

"However, many employment opportunities are increasingly found in plants, warehouses, strip malls and suburban office parks," she said. "Work schedules may include overtime and off-hour shifts, when public transportation is unavailable or too unreliable."

To meet the needs of these families, Monmouth Cares established the Family Lift program.

"Family Lift meets those needs by accepting donated cars, having them repaired to safe, reliable levels, and distributing them to needy Monmouth Cares families," Maude said.

Family Lift receives car donations from anyone willing to donate their car as long as it is in running condition and has generally less than 150,000 miles on its odometer.

After receiving a car donation, the organization sends the donated car to one of several area repair shops that make, at a reduced cost, any necessary repairs needed to ensure that the car is in a safe and reliable condition.

For their generosity, donors receive an acknowledgement letter from Monmouth Cares, which entitles them to an income tax deduction equal to the fair or market value of their donated car.

"In this way, Family Lift differs from charities that accept car donations through a broker who sells them, usually at auction, keeping a percentage of the sale price as a fee and returning often only a small amount to the charity," Maude said.

"Donors also benefit by knowing their car will have a second life, helping a needy Monmouth Cares family in dire need of transportation to keep the family stable," Maude said. "It's a way to help those in your community improve their lives without giving time or money.

"Hopefully, these vehicles will enable the families to get 'behind the wheel and on their feet,' and on their way to greater self-sufficiency, at which time they will be able to afford a newer, better car," Maude said.

Those who receive a donated car are generally member families working with Monmouth Cares, to help improve their children's lives.

"Many [families] are living below the poverty level and are struggling to keep a job, get a better job, take their children to counseling and medical appointments, etc., and reach a higher level of self-sufficiency," Maude explained.

Many of the families working with the Family Lift program in recent months are victims of the recession, while others are single mothers who work full-time jobs while caring for children.

"Some families are restricted to doing their weekly grocery shopping at a local convenience store because they don't have transportation to the major supermarkets, discount stores or warehouse stores," Maude said.

"Children are often restricted from attending after-school enrichment programs, sports, music lessons, etc., if public transportation is not available."

Once a family receives a car donation from Family Lift, it becomes their financial responsibility. However, the organization does work to help them obtain licenses, registration, auto insurance as well as preparing them for the financial responsibility of car ownership.

"We provide the families with a handbook outlining regular and preventative car maintenance, safe driving tips, etc., and give them a gift card to cover the first few tanks of gas," Maude explained.

Last year, Family Lift provided 12 cars to a dozen families throughout Monmouth County. In total, the organization has given 30 different families cars since its founding in 2006.

Two donors of note include Monmouth County Freeholder Robert Clifton and Manalapan Township Health Officer David Richardson.

Both men donated their unwanted cars to Family Lift to assist those in need of transportation.

Richardson donated his 1997 Nissan Altima, which had 130,000 miles on its odometer, saying the choice was "just the right thing to do." Clifton donated his 2002 Mercury Sable to the organization.

Those seeking to donate a car or interested in Family Lift can contact Maude at Monmouth Cares at 732-222-8008.

Those who wish to donate to the organization but do not have a car to give can donate money to the Family Lift program. That money will be used to make any necessary repairs on other donated vehicles.

Monmouth Cares is designed to build on the strengths of the child, the family, and the community, is family-driven and focuses on keeping the child at home, in school and out of trouble.

"Our practice model embraces the principles of 'wraparound,' which builds on an individual's strengths and supports our mission to serve as a catalyst for positive change so that children with emotional and behavioral challenges, and their families, have the greatest opportunity to live, thrive, develop and lead as free and normal lives as possible in their communities," Maude explained.

"A committed team made up of natural supports can remain in the life of a child or family long after formal services have ended," she added.

More information on the program can be found at Monmouth Cares' website at www.monmouthcares.org.

Contact Daniel Howley at dhowley@gmnews.com.