def #81 04/09/08

NON-PROFITS TO RECEIVE TRANSPORTATION MINIGRANTS

TOMS RIVER - Local, nonprofit organizations serving seniors and residents with disabilities and providing transportation services are getting some financial assistance from Ocean County.

“We are getting ready to distribute $73,500 in the form of transportation grants to 27 non-profit organizations dedicated to helping our citizens in Ocean County,” said Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, who serves as liaison to the county’s public transportation program, Ocean Ride. “These grants help agencies provide transportation to our seniors and persons with disabilities to a host of programs and events.”

Now in its 23rd year, the Ocean County Transportation Mini Grant program has provided more than $1.4 million to a variety of local non-profit organizations to support their efforts to provide transportation services to their specific participants.

Grant amounts range from $1,500 to $3,000.

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders is expected to approve a resolution providing these grants for transportation assistance at its April 16 meeting.

“This program continues to provide many benefits to agencies in Ocean County and ultimately to our residents,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who also serves as Chairman of Senior Services. “Because Ocean County is so large, it is difficult to provide extensive public transportation to all areas. This minigrant program helps outside agencies transport the people they service.”

The Freeholders in conjunction with the Ocean County Senior and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee developed this program to provide expanded transportation services under the Senior and Disabled Transportation Program in 1985.

The program is funded through a portion of the County’s casino revenue grant received from NJ Transit.

“Ocean County continues to be the only County in the state to provide a portion of its grant funds to local non-profit organizations that are providing services to our residents,” Little said.

The Senior and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee reviews and evaluates the eligibility of applicants and their proposed transportation services.

Little noted that in anticipating future decreases in the amount the county receives for this program, the county will be placing restrictions on out-of-county travel in an effort to stretch the current dollars received.

“We know transportation is the important link in keeping our residents connected to these very important organizations,” Little said.

The following agencies are expected to receive grants:

The Arc, Ocean County Chapter, Inc., $3,000, Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, $1,500, Center for Vocational Rehabilitation, $1,500, Community Medical Center Foundation, $3,000, Community Services, Inc. of Ocean County, $3,000, Counseling and Referral Services of Ocean, Inc., $1,500, Easter Seals Society of New Jersey, Inc., $3,000, Eye Openers of Point Pleasant/Brick, $3,000, Garden State Philharmonic, $3,000, Interfaith Health & Support Services of Southern Ocean County, $1,500, Jewish Family & Children’s Services/Jewish Federation of O.C., $3,000, LADACIN Network (Cerebral Palsy of Monmouth/Ocean Counties), $3,000, Lavallette Municipal Alliance/Lavallette Borough, $3,000, and Long Beach Island Community Center, Inc., $3,000.

Also, Manchester Township Senior Outreach Program, $3,000, NJ Coalition on Women & Disabilities Ocean County Chapter, $3,000, Ocean County Board of Social Services, $3,000, Ocean County Columbus Day Parade Committee, Inc., $1,500, Ocean Housing Alliance, Inc., $3,000, Our Special Kids of Toms River, Inc. $3,000, Saint Mary’s Church, $3,000, The Special Children Center, Inc., $3,000, Surflight Theatre (Joseph P. Hayes Theatre, Inc.), $3,000, Team Randy, Inc., $3,000, Toms River Township Senior Center, $3,000, Twenty-One-Plus, Inc., $3,000, and Vetwork, A Program Of Vetgroup, Inc., $3,000.

Little noted that this year, two new recipients include Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey and Interfaith Health and Support Services of Southern Ocean County each receiving $1,500 grants.

“These minigrants will be used to cover the growing expense of secondary auto insurance which further protects volunteer drivers who transport seniors to local medical appointments,” Little said. “This grant helps leverage volunteer efforts to meet the growing demand for local medical trips around the county.”

Little also noted that Our Special Kids of Toms River, a parent advocacy group to promote the welfare of residents with disabilities, annually gives back to the transportation program by donating about $3,000 a year from their fund-raising efforts.

“This donation goes directly back to our DETS (Disabled Employment Transportation) program which provides disabled adults the opportunity to access employment and build their independence and self-sufficiency,” Little said. “We truly appreciate this cooperation and recognize the efforts of this group especially during these times of rising transportation costs.”


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