The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) donated three of its retired RideShare vans to area nonprofits. ArtForceIowa, Central Iowa Shelter & Services and the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants were recipients of either a minivan or 15-passenger van.
Recipients of the vans were selected on criteria including demonstrated community benefit and the number of passenger trips to be provided.
2015 DART RideShare Van Donation Program Recipients
- ArtForceIowa offers programs for at-risk youth, using the arts as a tool for self-improvement. The organization will use the van to transport its youth five days a week, to and from workshops, special activities and employment opportunities.
- Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) provides shelter and meals to homeless adults regardless of physical or emotional conditions. CISS plans to use the van to give their clients rides to employment or education outside of existing transit schedules and routes.
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants – Des Moines Field Office (USCRI – Des Moines) helps refugees adapt to life in the U.S. by focusing on meeting basic needs, finding employment, becoming self-sufficient and community integration. USCRI – Des Moines will use the van to transport refugees to a variety of activities, such as job interviews, after-school mentoring and medical appointments.
“There is an additional need for transportation in Greater Des Moines outside of service hours and in areas not yet served by DART,” said DART Commission Chair Steve Peterson. “We hope these vans help expand opportunities for individuals and improve upon availability of transportation in the region.”
This is the second year of DART’s RideShare van donation program.
