Greetings!
Welcome to the first edition of The Ride Along, a new quarterly newsletter designed to connect you with CTN, our riders, our team, and the community partners who help us Drive Community. The Ride Along seemed like a fitting name because it’s the activity that connects people to our mission directly. When I started at CTN five years ago, the ride along is what connected me to both our drivers and riders. I was able to see firsthand the impact we were having on our clients. In addition, I was able to connect with our 30+ drivers in a meaningful way and understand why they chose to work with CTN.
It was on one of my first ride alongs when I experienced our signature Door-Through-Door, Hand-in-Hand approach. The rider had been with us a long time, but we were taking her to a new doctor. The office was in this big medical complex off Dupont Road – one of those buildings with dozens of doctor’s offices. The driver had sensed her unease, and when we arrived at the building, he asked if he could leave her in the van while he made sure he knew where he was going. She agreed.
A few minutes later the driver returned, helped the rider off the van, and accompanied her into the building, up the elevator, and to the office suite. There, he connected her with the receptionist who got her checked in and taken care of from there. The Ride Along is a special experience and while we can’t take everyone on an actual ride along, we hope this newsletter will suffice.
Justin Clupper |
The ability to get from one place to another independently can be transformative. Meet Jo’Male. He has been riding with CTN for the past few years to go to work. And because of that seemingly simple thing, a ride, he was able to purchase his own vehicle, providing him with independence and empowering him to hope for the future. Jo’Male credits the rides he received from CTN as his biggest step towards independence. Without a job, he couldn’t afford to pay rent or save towards his goal of purchasing his own vehicle.
“With CTN, I am able to keep living independently,” he reflected. “Because of them, I was able to purchase my own vehicle, so now I can plan to meet up with friends and get where I need to go. My future looks less isolated. I feel like an actual adult who doesn’t have to ask permission to leave my house.
You can view our entire annual report on our website. CTN's Annual Report ›› |
We could not do what we do without our dedicated staff, so let's get to know them! Sal Lehman has been a part of our driver team for just over 6 months. When asked what CTN's mission means to her, she said, "I am part of helping people live their best lives!
One of her favorite memories so far is transporting our clients around the holidays, hearing them sing and seeing them happy. "It feels good to know that I brought them a little joy," she said. She wishes more people in the community knew how huge the need for dependable transportation is. |
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Dine4Rides, presented by DaVita Kidney Center, is coming up on March 21. This event is held at the Parkview Mirro Center for Research & Innovation, featuring western attire, cocktails, dinner, and silent & live auction. There are several ways to get involved:
Become a sponsor Host a table Purchase a ticket Find out more: https://ridectn.org/events-2/
CTN events help us remain on the road for our community's most vulnerable citizens. Proceeds keep trip costs low for seniors and people with disabilities using CTN to access medical care. In 2023 CTN served more than 1,000 individuals providing nearly 20,000 medical trips. We've done that because of you and friends like you. CTN Drives Community, YOU Make it Possible! |
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Gifts from local foundations make it possible for us to provide transportation to thousands of low-income seniors and people with disabilities each year. Special thanks to the following for your generous gifts last quarter:
Arnold Foundation AWS Foundation Council on Senior Services -
Edward M. Wilson Foundation
Magee O'Connor Charitable Trust Mary Cross Tippmann Foundation -
Parkview Health
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Peg Kelley started volunteering at CTN in July 2017 and came into the office on Tuesday mornings. She and her husband downsized and moved to a smaller home in June of 2017 so she had less house to manage and a much smaller yard to maintain.
Even though they both spent a lot of volunteer time at their church, Peg was looking for another place where she could help in some small way. She helps with filing and organizes mailings, and she is glad to do that so the administrative staff does not have to use their time on those clerical tasks.
"The work that CTN does is tremendously important in the community as they provide transportation for so many people who otherwise, would have no way to get to the doctor, to the grocery, to any place they need to go," she said. "When I started volunteering at CTN, I had no idea that they transported so many children; this is a very important part of the work they do." Peg is at CTN just a few hours each month but she knows that everyone who works at CTN is dedicated to their work and are compassionate about the service they provide to the community.
"The CTN drivers are kind and treat the riders with utmost respect," she said. "CTN is truly great organization doing vitally important work in our community. |
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| Spirit of the Silver Lining Award Last year, we were nominated for the Spirit of the Silver Lining Award by Kurt, a longtime supporter and friend of CTN. This award recognizes organizations for their dedication to delivering a silver lining to those in need.
We are pleased to announce that we received the award and will receive a grant from The West Bend Independent Agents’ Fund.
You can learn more about the award online. |
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Your Giving Tuesday Impact
Thank you to everyone who supported our Giving Tuesday Campaign and Year-End giving to help us close out 2023. Because of your generous support and a match from the James Foundation, which doubled the impact of each gift, we were able to provide 1,800 medical ride in December. |
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| We were in the news!
A recent article in the Journal Gazette highlights the important work that CTN and other Fort Wayne agencies are doing to increase accessibility for people with disabilities.
You can read the article on our website. |
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Join Us for the Hop On Brew Tour!
Date: November 9, 2024 Time: 1:00 PM (VIP entry at 12:00 PM)
Location: Promenade Park, Fort Wayne, IN
Are you ready for a one-of-a-kind experience that supports a great cause? Join us for the Hop On Brew Tour, a fundraising event benefiting the Community Transportation Network (CTN). It's going to be an unforgettable day filled with craft brews, camaraderie, and community support. Event Highlights: Explore Fort Wayne's vibrant brewery culture with your friends and fellow beer enthusiasts.
Enjoy convenient and reliable transportation between multiple breweries, courtesy of CTN. Low-cost medical rides for seniors and individuals with disabilities are at the heart of this fundraiser.
Get the chance to taste a variety of craft brews, make new friends, and create lasting memories.
To be a part of this fantastic event and show your support for CTN, visit HopOn24.givesmart.com to grab your tickets. Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to indulge in amazing brews, make memories, and contribute to our community's transportation needs. Let CTN handle the driving while you savor the hoppy delights. We're excited to raise a glass with you and make this day truly special. Cheers! |
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