Yosi's Long Walk to Work

Yosi called us to see if she could get a ride to work , but our funding is almost gone so we could not accept her in our Pilot program.  The thought of her walking late at night  troubled us.  We had to try to help somehow.  We put the word out and found a temporary solution.  Yosi won't be walking 1 hour and 20 minutes each way to work anymore thanks to Marsha who donated a mountain bike and helmet. Now Yosi rides 20 minutes twice a day on a wonderful bike. Our thanks also to Advanced Cycling who gave us a discount to add fenders and lights. 

Yosi knows life is rough right now living in a motel. She can't wait to have a kitchen so she can cook her meals. She hopes to save for a deposit and first month rent so she can get an apartment and save for a car.  She believes her positive attitude and perseverance will payoff and lead to a good life. There are so many others like Yosi who just need a little "hand up".

We are fundraising now to start a self sustaining Shuttle to Work program that can transport 70 people a week like Yosi. We need your help! Will you help us by donating any amount and Share this with your friends? Make a difference in someone's life on our website today .

Getting To The Job

Ben was offered a job  as full time cab driver for our Livery Company but did not have transportation to the company's location due to the hours he will work.  We offered our interim transportation so he could accept this job and good employment.

It is ironic that Ben will probably be driving some of our Ride to Work riders and he is one too. It is even more ironic that many local cab companies have a hard time filling their driver shifts because many apply but do not have personal transportation to work.

We are happy we can help Ben and others get full time jobs while they save for a car.  The need is so great for this kind of transportation.

Let's help each other succeed.  Today someone like Ben needs a little help, tomorrow it could be you. No act of kindness is ever wasted.   "WE RISE BY LIFTING OTHERS".

WILL YOU HELP TODAY ???

SHE MADE HER MOTHER HAPPY

Sharon is turning her life around and has hopes and dreams she has not had for years.  She wants a positive future and has been offered a job but had no way to get home after her shift.  She heard of our Ride To Work program and called us immediately.  We signed her up and she is thankful she can begin this job knowing she can get home safely since there is no bus service at that time. Her goal is to save for a car within 3 months so she can be independent. 

Her 85 year old mother is so happy she will now have a stable, positive life. We are pleased to help people like Sharon get this chance. As the word gets out more people are calling for help but we are near our funding limit.  If you can help us, we can help more people get a job and become independent. 

Please donate online or mail us a check. Help us reduce poverty 1 person at a time!

I want to keep my job !

La' Shawna called in a panic. Her car died and without transportation she would lose her job. Her mother tried to help but her work hours conflicted. What to do? Someone told her about Providence Services' Ride To Work program and we signed her up.  

This is a frequent problem people experience if they have limited savings and are starting out in the work force. It can set you back and force you into poverty. We are happy we can help her , but with limited funding and no support from government we have to rely on contributions.

We ask for your support to help us help others with interim transportation to keep people moving forward rather than back into poverty. Please consider a donation to our organization . All donations go towards are services to individuals to escape poverty. We receive no government support so we rely on contributions. Help us reduce poverty one person at a time.

WRVO Ride-to-Work Interview 1 Year Later

Ride to Work program hoping to expand

By Ellen Abbott • Jun 16, 2016

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A lack of transportation is one of the biggest obstacles for people trying to climb out of poverty. But now one Syracuse-area program that is helping fill that gap, is hoping to expand.

It’s been a year since Providence Services of Syracuse started a Ride to Work pilot program that helps unemployed people accept jobs they might not ordinarily get, because of a lack of transportation. And Providence President Deborah Hundley has been amazed at how quickly the participants have been able to wean themselves off a transportation subsidy.

"It’s taking one to four months, one to four months working with us, they get a job and they become transportation independent,” said Hundley.

James Manyan and Providence Services of Syracuse President Deborah Hundley discussed the Ride to Share program when it began last year. Manyan is now transportation independent.

Credit Ellen Abbott / WRVO News File Photo

Centro bus service is often the primary transportation for many of these people. But buses many times don’t run during overnight hours when some shifts start or end. And there are some job locations the bus company simply doesn’t serve. So Providence subsidizes taxi rides for men and women who ordinarily wouldn’t be able to take a particular job, or who are paying a lot for transportation just to keep a job.

“If you’re close to minimum wage and you’re spending $85 a week or one person was spending $200 a week for transportation, what’s left?” Hundley.

Hundley says funding for the pilot program, which focused on Syracuse and the eastern suburbs, runs out next year. Her goal now is to convince local governments or nonprofits to offer some seed money so it can expand enough to serve 200 people a year.

“We’re going to have to have a six-month period where people recognize it is available, and then they can sign up and get jobs. Right now, you don’t even apply for a job is you don’t have transportation,” said Hundley.

Hundley says this affects people trying to get second or third shift jobs, or those in areas where public transportation is not available. Right now the program helps between 10 and 12 people at a time.

“Just trying to show people there is a solution here. And all these people can have jobs and good lives. It’s just amazing.”

Made a Part-time Job a Full-time Job

Ronald wanted a full-time job but was offered only a part-time job with transportation barriers. He paid someone to take him home and worked hard at a  part-time job and then the miracle happened. Other employers at the same location asked him to work for them and now he has a full-time job. His excitement was short-lived because his driver said she could not drive him home any more , so what to do? Visions for Change referred him to us and we provide him transportation home from work at 11:30pm.

Ronald is saving for a car and since he will not be paying $60/week to have someone ride him home from work he can save more for that car.

We have seen many people having to pay exorbitant costs to get to or from work  to keep a job. These high costs make it difficult to save. Again we provide the ability for people to gain employment and become transportation independent .

Make a difference, DONATE online to help us help others.

Shakeya is a woman with a plan

We signed her up yesterday to get transportation to her workplace which has no bus service at all.  When she took the job she thought she could get rides from friends but that did not work out.

Providence Services stepped in the fill the gap. She is working overtime and is a great saver and plans to have her driving license and a car in about a month of using our service.  That us what a "helping hand" can do...help people succeed at becoming independent.

There are others just like Shakeya just needing a little help to succeed and have a better life.

If you are willing to give a "Helping Hand" to assist another person become independent, go to our website and  Donate and help us make a difference in another's life. Click on our FACEBOOK page and TWITTER to follow us.

Danielle Working Hard For A Better Life

Danielle moved to Syracuse to have a new start and build a better life.  Danielle is working hard to build that  better life.  She accepted a job in East Syracuse that begins at 5AM and the bus does not operate then. She has been paying $200 many  weeks just for transportation. She read about our Ride To Work program and contacted us to sign up.  Now she can save to get her driving license and have her car shipped to her from California.  She is determined to have a good life but just needed just a little help.

There are so many other residents needing "just a little help" to have a better life.  We are so happy to be able to help Danielle, but sad we cannot help all that have called. Our community could help so many people leave poverty and have a good life, if only we gave people " just a little help".

Help us help others become employed and  transportation independent by donating on our website and sharing these stories with others in our community. The people we have helped became transportation independent between 1-4 months. Can you sponsor a rider?

Hard Work + Hand Up=Success

Congratulations to Osman who is now transportation independent after 2 months of using our Ride To work service.  He now has his driver's license and a car.  People like Osman show that with hard work and a "hand up" success is possible. Previously he had no way home from work except pay a taxi $85/week. With our help he is now transportation INDEPENDENT.

There are hundreds of people in Syracuse and Onondaga county who just need a little help to better their lives, If you would like to  make it possible for others, please share this story of success and contribute on our website.

We would like to operate an 8 hour/day transportation service for low income people to get and keep jobs. We need your help to change people's lives.  Will you join us? 

CROSSING A TRANSPORTATION MOAT TO GET A JOB

There are many reason people cannot get jobs but transportation is one of the primary obstacles. One would think that if the job is 3  milesfrom where you live, maybe it would not be such a big obstacle.  Lokman and Abu were both offered first shift,  full time jobs at a company only 3 miles away.  Unfortunately, there is no bus service there and the route is too dangerous for walking and riding a bike.  It was like a moat blocking them from their employer. 

Thankfully, Providence Services of Syracuse was able to give them a ride to and from work to allow them to get that job and begin their journey to independence. Both workers are planning to save for a car,  so they can be transportation independent . We were happy to help them.  Since we began this program, our riders became transportation independent within 3-4 months on average.  Once they get a job, they work and save to get their transportation independence.  Until they get a job they are stuck in poverty.

Last week we were contacted by several agencies who have clients who lack transportation to job just like these men.  We want to help but only have a few more openings left due to limited funding and no governmemntal support..  It is heart breaking to think we will have to turn people away where we are their only solution to get a job.

We Need Your Help! Your donation can help us continue this service for others who have no other options.  Please donate at our website and help someone get a job and begin the journey out of poverty to independence.

Determined To Succeed

Today we welcomed Katie to our Ride To Work   program.  Katie is an energetic and determined young woman who accepted a full time job near Carrier Circle.  She loves her job but her early shift begins at 6am and her only transportation is the bus which requires her to walk 2 miles from the Northside to the Centro Transit Hub beginning at 3:30AM.  She and her employer have been very concerned for her safety since she is walking alone through dangerous neighborhoods in the dark.

Now Katie will use our transportation service to work, she has a safe ride to work and she can sleep later.  Katie is a good example of the residents we see who want jobs.  They are very hard workers and are willing to do what it get and  takes to keep a job.

There are hundreds of Katies in Onondaga County who need just a little help to achieve their goal of becoming self-sufficient and active members of our community.  Our experience demonstrates that if they are provided reliable transportation to their job, even one with difficult hours, over time they are able to get a better job that allows them to work either first shift or save for a car.  Once they advance, there is an opportunity for another individual to fill that spot.  This is how we reduce unemployment!

Let's work together to help our fellow neighbors get a job. Can you donate  $10 or more  to help us help more people? Would you know an employer who would like to help their workers get a safe ride to work?  Contact us today. Be part of the solution!

You Need A Job To Get A Job

One of the challenges for low income workers is transportation to and from work.  Job applications ask if you have a car. If you say "No", you may not even get an interview.  Some employers may accept" I will walk" or other ways, but often better jobs want people already employed.

Last month we began transporting Mike to his job.  He had previously been walking 6 miles late at night to and from work. . Unfortunately due to limited funding, we could not bring him home at 3am so he tried to get rides home with other workers. When he was not able to get rides home and his hours were reduced, he began looking for another job.  Because he was already working, he found a job with full-time hours that provided transportation.

Mike and his family thanked us for helping them maintain employment which allowed him to get a better job and he is now transportation independent.

This is what Providence Services of Syracuse exists for...to help people get jobs by providing transportation enabling them to become economically stable and improve their lives.

We could use your Financial Support so we can help families leave poverty by filling that transportation gap to work. There are a lot of "Mike's" in Syracuse waiting . Please make a donation online at Providenceservicessyracuse.org or mail a donation to: Providence Services of Syracuse Inc., PO Box 6173, Syracuse, NY 13217-6173.  All donations are tax deductible

The Ride To Work 2 Ride Service Has Begun

Last weekend we accepted 2 residents into our Ride program. Osman is a Syracuse resident that ended work at midnight and had no bus available to get him home. This hard working young man wants to save for a car and is working on getting his drivers license. His former teacher heard about our program and contacted us. He is so encouraged to have this opportunity.

Our second Rider is Mike who had no transportation to work at 10PM since the bus did not run to his workplace at that hour. He can get the bus home by waiting for an hour after his shift, but had been walking 6 miles to work in the dark of night in dangerous neighborhoods to get to work. He has been saving for a car and by April he hopes to be Transportation  independent.

We hope to help others in our community get or keep a job and enable them to become transportation independent. 

Your donations and support have made a big difference for these men and their families. There are so many others who need this help. Can you help us help more families by donating to our program?  Contact us on our website to help www.providenceservicessyracus.org

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Is 2016 The Year We Get Transportation to Work In Syracuse?

2016 is starting with optimism .  The Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council initiated a Study of the needs for residents seeking jobs but lacking transportation to or from work by Public Transportation.  This lack of  availability to get to or from work is a major obstacle for many to get and keep jobs. The hope is that once the Study is completed, monies can be found to provide this crucial service.

The second optimistic note is that Governor Cuomo stated yesterday at a Syracuse gathering , he will ask the NYS Assembly to provide $30 Million to go towards Upstate Public Transportation.  This has the potential to enhance our Public Transportation in a way that would benefit low income workers and residents who rely mainly on the bus to get to work, medical appointments, etc. It would also reduce congestion and ourcarbon footprint.  Cities who have expanded their Public Transportation have seen ridership grow significantly because it becomes more convenient and affordable.

The third note of optimism is Syracuse leaders have begun an Anti-Poverty Initiative, called  HOPE. The desire in the community is to provide people stuck in Extreme Poverty a way out. Part of that includes removing the Transportation obstacles which keep people stuck in hopelessness.

We are working tirelessly speaking to all.   We are offering  solutions, encouragement and the willingness to collaborate with anyone to solve these problems.  The road ahead is still challenging and long but there are rays of hope.  We can use your support and help. How?

Will you make a donation on our website.   Share this with your friends.

Happy New Year!

Community Leaders Talk About Anti- Poverty Initative In Syracuse

Listen to Community leaders talking about how they are working to reduce poverty in Syracuse, NY . A Syracuse Anti-Poverty Initiative has begun to bring diverse communities and partners from all sectors together to create greater opportunity and prosperity for community members transitioning out of economically deprived situations.

https://beta.prx.org/stories/167228

If you would like to join the fight against poverty and make a difference in real people's lives, partner with us by sharing this message with others and contact us on our website.

Syracuse University interview on need for a Transportation Study to resolve poverty

https://nccnews.expressions.syr.edu/central-new-york/providence-services-may-have-found-the-solution-to-poverty/

Providence Services of Syracuse Speaks Up For Transportation at COR Meeting

Syracuse residents rip developer, county IDA, proposed Inner Harbor tax breaks

About 75 people crammed into a small meeting room for an Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency public hearing on proposed tax breaks for COR Development Co. at the Syracuse Inner Harbor, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015. A few dozen people lined the hallways outside the room, unable to squeeze in. (Tim Knauss)Reddit

 More than two dozen speakers today loudly condemned a developer's request for tax breaks on the $324 million development of Syracuse's Inner Harbor, saying they did not believe the community would benefit.

Roughly 75 people stood shoulder to shoulder in a conference room meant for one-third as many, and several dozen more people lined up in the hall, during the public hearing.

Speaker after speaker accused COR Development of "forum shopping'' to get the best deal on tax exemptions without making significant commitments to hire city residents or provide other public benefits. No one spoke in favor of the proposed 15-year payment in lieu of taxes.

Members of the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency – none of whom attended the hearing, in keeping with normal practice – could vote on the deal as soon as Dec. 8.

Several speakers criticized COR for applying for benefits from OCIDA rather than the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency, which normally handles development projects within city limits. PILOTs granted by the Syracuse IDA are voted on by the Syracuse Common Council before they become final, but OCIDA faces no such legislative review.

"COR has decided they want to go shopping,'' said the Rev. Earl Arnold, a retired pastor from East Syracuse. "I guess it's Christmas season and they want to look for the bargains.''

Other speakers emphasized the need for guaranteed community benefits, including local jobs, if COR is to receive a public subsidy. Several times, the crowd broke into a loud chant: "We need jobs.''

Julie Cerio, the county economic development director, presided over the meeting. She declined to answer questions afterward.

OCIDA board members are expected to review the comments before they vote on the deal.

Syracuse City Auditor Marty Masterpole said it was "inexcusable'' for OCIDA members to skip the hearing, echoing the comments of several speakers. Masterpole urged OCIDA to voluntarily submit the deal to a vote of the Syracuse city council, similar to what the agency did for town and school boards when it approved a PILOT for the Township 5 development in suburban Camillus.

Sharon Owens, CEO of Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility, said she warned county officials a week ago to find a larger room for the meeting because of high public interest, to no avail. Owens said the absence of OCIDA board members made her "question the sincerity'' of holding a public hearing.

"Remember this day,'' Owens said. "It has an ominous feeling. There is a sinking feeling in my gut to watch our community devouring itself from the inside out -- again! -- in response to the manoeuvers of yet another developer.''

COR is seeking to make reduced payments in lieu of taxes for 15 years, the value of which has not been estimated. The company also is asking for an exemption from sales taxes, valued at $12.9 million, on construction materials, and an exemption, valued at $2.9 million, from the state mortgage recording tax. Property tax exemptions would far exceed the value of the sales tax and mortgage recording tax exemptions.

The mortgage tax is a source of funding for Centro, whose public bus system has struggled financially, said Deborah Hundley, president of Providence Services of Syracuse, a nonprofit that helps low-income people find rides to work. Further cuts to Centro would hurt people who are looking for work, she said.

"I'm actually begging that this organization will not take this money from the people in the city who want to get jobs,'' Hundley said.

COR was selected by Syracuse officials in 2012 from among three competitors to develop former state land around the Inner Harbor. City officials acquired the land from the state and sold it to COR at a nominal price,

The Syracuse Industrial Development Agency negotiated the land transfer to COR, conducted the environmental review of the Inner Harbor project, and provided financial assistance for the first building, an Aloft Hotel. But COR went to OCIDA to seek a PILOT for the rest of the development, which spans 32 acres.

Syracuse Common Councilor Khalid Bey attended the hearing intending to criticize OCIDA for handling the PILOT request rather than deferring to SIDA. But after seeing the number of people lined up to speak, Bey waited out in the hallway to make room for others, he said.

Contact Tim Knauss anytime | email | Twitter | 315-470-3023

Big Shout Out to Morgan Stanley Employees

Today we received our first donations from employees of a Corporation in Syracuse. We welcome their support to help those in poverty in Syracuse. There is only one way out of poverty and that is getting a job. These generous employees will help our local residents get a job by providing the missing link for many people in our City-Transportation.

Two days ago we received yet another call.  Tiffanie has a job at Carrier Circle. Her car is broken and she has no way to get home after her 9pm shift. The last bus to that destination is 6:30pm. She is afraid she will lose her job and yet without the job she cannot afford to fix her car.

We receive calls weekly from people who cannot get home from work shifts because of lack of transportation. This is a fixable problem. Other Cities have solved it and Syracuse can as well. Together Syracuse can be #1 for something other than Extreme poverty. Follow us on Facebook and be part of the solution.

Syracuse Has The Highest Rate of Extreme Poverty In The Nation Among Blacks & Hispanics

Syracuse has the highest rate of extreme Poverty!  That is  sobering statistic that should cause significant changes NOW.

There are so many organizations providing education opportunities, job training, job placement services, health services, improved housing, and support groups for various needs.  What is missing??

The crucial piece that makes all these things successful is reliable, affordable transportation.  Without this piece of the puzzle, there is no way to get to that job, that educational opportunity or better housing.  People exit poverty when they can get a job. Once they get a job they begin to have the freedom to make choices. Without transportation there is a lack of freedom of jobs and this leads to despair.

Study after study has unequivocally stated this important missing piece to the puzzle—lack of transportation.

Numerous cities in the US have begun to provide solutions to this very problem in their cities. Places like Columbus, Omaha, Oakland, Charlotte, Houston, Mon Valley, PA, Denver, Indianapolis, Clayton County, GA., Nashville, Normal, IL, Rural Washington State, Grand Rapids, Champaign IL., Phoenix and Salt Lake City.  Syracuse should be in this list because we have a proud history of being innovators weather with Women’s Rights, Racial justice or famous writers, Ministers and educational institutions.

Let’s not let all the good works of the organizations fail because of one missing effort.  

Those stuck in poverty have had no voice other than the despair as seen among the young and old who express their frustration.  Providence Services of Syracuse has heard this frustration and asks the City leaders to:

1. Initiate a study of the transportation needs of those in poverty and develop solutions

2. Review the zoning in the city to allow businesses to build in areas of high unemployment so residents will have access to employment in their neighborhoods without the barrier of

   Transportation.

   We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with government and other organizations to solve poverty in Syracuse.  Let’s work together to change the narrative and change the results of poverty.

THANK YOU RAPHA COMMUNITY FUND

We thank  the RAPHA Community Fund for their grant to provide support to Refugees. We will use the donation to further our efforts to ensure these neighbors have access to  transportation to work.  Lack of Transportation to work is very often the primary reason disadvantaged people in our city are unable to get jobs.  So many jobs available have either shifts ending before or after the bus runs . We are working diligently to change the narrative and allow people to have opportunities to begin their American dream with a job.  We believe there are solutions to this problem and desire to work together to make Syracuse a city that is thriving from all citizens having opportunities to succeed.