Transportation is key to getting low-income families to work and out of poverty.
In the best of times, lack of transportation is a serious barrier to employment for low-income, single working mothers.
And now is not the best of times.
According to the congressional Joint Economic Committee, the current economic downturn threatens women’s employment more than ever, with women-headed families being particularly squeezed.
So whether an economic stimulus package focuses on creating jobs in infrastructure, public works or the “green economy,” it must include support for transportation–including for car ownership–for low-income workers to help them obtain and retain any new jobs created.
Consider:
- Low-income workers are less likely to own an automobile than other Americans. Nationally, 7.8 percent of all U.S. residents did not have access to a car in 2000, compared to 20.4 percent of poor U.S. residents.
- Many construction jobs are not accessible by public transportation, both because of hours (generally not the traditional 9-5 work day) and location.
- Research has shown that for low-income (and minority households), car ownership is positively correlated with improved access to jobs, higher household incomes and more weeks worked per year.
- Low-income single mothers are more likely to make sequential trips, such as to daycare and then to work, which are not easily supported on public transportation.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation released a documentary this year called Pursuit of the Dream: Cars & Jobs in America that looks at these issues in more depth.
Unfortunately, little public support is currently available for car ownership for low-income individuals, including women. What support is available can also be difficult for community-based organizations working with low-income, women-headed families to obtain.
Public programs, including the existing Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) program, must be expanded – both financially and in their scope – to meet the full range of transportation needs of low-income, women-headed families.
Private programs —such as Vehicles for Change and Opportunity Cars – must be expanded through government funding and increased car donations from private citizens.
It is time for all of us to stop overlooking this important barrier to work for low-income women with children.
Gwen Rubinstein is a program officer at The Women’s Foundation.
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:04 am
Vehicles for Change has seen firsthand the value of a car, awarding over 2,800 car to worthy families since 1999. Most of the cars are placed with single mothers with 2-3 children. Our research has shown that over 70% of these women are able to obtain a better job, including an average salary increase of $4800, in the first 12 months of car ownership. In addition, 94% take their children to after-school, recreational and athletic activities never before possible. Here is a note received from one such recipient:
This is probably the most wonderful quote we have ever received from a VFC recipient.
Ms. Smith (name has been changed per her request) received a Sephia Kia from Vehicles for Change on Feb 4, 2004 through Northern Virginia Family Services. At the time Ms. Smith received the car she had 2 small children and for the most part no job. Due to a lack of transportation she was only able to accept temporary positions making minimum hourly wages. She was living with her sister who she counted to provide cab service to her and her children all the while trying to maintain her own job.
Then she received a Vehicles for Change car and her life, and that of her children changed forever. She is currently working with the State of Virginia in an accounting office earning $42,000 per year. Her children now 7 and 8 years old have participated in the local soccer program where Ms. Smith stated that her Kia got them to many a soccer contest. In addition to the great job and access to the County sports and recreation activities Ms. Smith found that making trips to the grocery store, doctor’s office for those mandatory shots for her children and every other daily motherly road trip were no longer a major undertaking. “My car made all the difference; it took all the pressure off of me and my sister.”
Ms. Smith and her growing family of athletes have outgrown her Kia and graciously returned it to Vehicles for Change. “It is time for another deserving family to have access to its magic.” In the meantime Ms. Smith has become the classic “soccer mom” as she recently purchased a brand new van. “I could not have done any of this without Vehicles for Change.”
Vehicles for Change is only limited by the number of cars received via donations. In 2007, 500
cars were awarded to worthy families. Our goal for 2012 is 2,000.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
It is the time of year to look at your taxes and make that final donation. Many of us do not have cash to donate but have items that we make be able to donate to decrease our tax burden. Often there is a car you have been holding onto or left from a college student who has moved on.
Before donating you should be aware that the amount you can deduct is different depending on how the nonprofit disposes of your car or in the case of Vehicles for Change who may receive it. To get the greatest possible deduction your car must be sold to a low income family at “significantly” below market.
Most nonprofits will take your car to auction and you may only deduct the selling price. Vehicles for Change will sell your car to a low income family (depending on the condition of the car) and you can deduct the fair market value. Often the fair market value is double the selling price.
There are many more families needing cars than are being donated. If you have a car in good condition and would prefer to see it make a difference in the life of a worthy family and want the greatest possible deduction consider Vehicles for Change.
for Change.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
If you itemize, you’d get a deduction of $2000. If you don’t itemize, and as a student you probably don’t, you get no tax benefit from the donation.