I was a single parent with two little kids when I went back to college. Transportation was a problem until my aunt got a new car and gave me hers to get to class and take the kids to school. Twenty years later, I’d graduated from law school and worked at Legal Services, providing free help to low-income people. I represented many women leaving abusers. Women with young kids would get custody and child support, but not the car. Judges would award the car to the husband as they had to work to pay support. I explained that the women also needed a car to work, but it didn’t convince the judge.
Single parents in South Dakota have a hard time getting to work and getting off welfare if they do not have a car. The winters are brutal, and taking a bus with several small children is hard, taking hours to get to work, daycare, and home.
After some research, I found North Carolina Wheels to Work, which got donated cars and gave them to people in need. So my friends and I started a nonprofit in South Dakota, and began collecting donated cars and asking for car donations on the radio and TV. Without inspectors, I’d ask: “Would you put your child/grandchild in this car to get safely to work or school?” If yes, we took it. After 10 years, Tires Tires Tires offered to repair cars for free. When I suggested deducting costs from taxes, they said no: “We’re just giving you this.” They provided about $65,000 in free services, won a national tire award, and were incredible partners for 18 years.
When they couldn’t continue, we reinvented ourselves, using donations to pay for car repairs so single parents could keep their jobs. I still run Wheels to Work from home, collecting applications and coordinating repairs. For 30 years we’ve helped many people. I wouldn't have been inspired to start this program if I hadn't experienced being a single parent, worrying about transportation in college. I think one determined person can make a difference, and we really care about the people; we're a helping organization.
Single parents in South Dakota have a hard time getting to work and getting off welfare if they do not have a car. The winters are brutal, and taking a bus with several small children is hard, taking hours to get to work, daycare, and home.
After some research, I found North Carolina Wheels to Work, which got donated cars and gave them to people in need. So my friends and I started a nonprofit in South Dakota, and began collecting donated cars and asking for car donations on the radio and TV. Without inspectors, I’d ask: “Would you put your child/grandchild in this car to get safely to work or school?” If yes, we took it. After 10 years, Tires Tires Tires offered to repair cars for free. When I suggested deducting costs from taxes, they said no: “We’re just giving you this.” They provided about $65,000 in free services, won a national tire award, and were incredible partners for 18 years.
When they couldn’t continue, we reinvented ourselves, using donations to pay for car repairs so single parents could keep their jobs. I still run Wheels to Work from home, collecting applications and coordinating repairs. For 30 years we’ve helped many people. I wouldn't have been inspired to start this program if I hadn't experienced being a single parent, worrying about transportation in college. I think one determined person can make a difference, and we really care about the people; we're a helping organization.