Martin Schwartz (left), president of Vehicles for Change walking Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford through the organization’s garage in Halethorpe, Maryland. Photo credit: Office of the Maryland Governor

Martin Schwartz (left), president of Vehicles for Change walking Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford through the organization’s garage in Halethorpe, Maryland. Photo credit: Office of the Maryland Governor

On Monday, March 4, 2019, Baltimore-based nonprofit, Vehicles for Change welcomed Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford to its headquarters in Halethorpe, Maryland. During his visit, Lt. Governor Rutherford toured Vehicles for Change where he learned more about the organization’s mission to empower families and individuals with financial challenges to achieve economic and personal independence through car ownership and technical training.

"It was an honor to join Vehicles for Change and see firsthand what this fantastic organization is doing to help families in need in our area," said Lt. Governor Rutherford. "I would like to thank Martin and the entire Vehicles for Change team for their hard work and dedication, which has undoubtedly made a positive impact on the lives of countless Marylanders and their families, and the community as a whole.”

Ms. Sidnitra Bates (center) shortly after receiving the keys to her newly awarded vehicle. Photo credit: Office of the Maryland Governor

During an awards ceremony, Lt. Governor Rutherford handed the keys to a silver 2006 Mazda 3 to Sidnitra Bates, who is on the path to self-sufficiency after becoming homeless due to unforeseen circumstances. Determined to turn her life around, Bates completed a culinary vocational program at the top of her class in 2018 and today works full-time assisting with the coordination of D.C. Central Kitchen’s community meals program. Through the nonprofit’s program, more than 3.2 million meals are provided annually to local homeless shelters, nonprofits and public schools. The last piece of the puzzle for Bates was safe, reliable transportation to get her to-and-from work.

“I’ve had many struggles over the years, but as a woman of faith I’ve learned that life can be turned around, and it's okay to ask for assistance when you need it,” says Bates. “With the help of organizations like Vehicles for Change, those who are broken have the opportunity to piece their lives back together and build a beautiful mosaic. I’m eternally grateful to this organization and the individual who donated this car.”

A Full Circle Auto Repair & Training Center intern (center) speaks with Lt. Governor Rutherford (right) and Martin Schwartz (left) about his life struggles and what led him to Vehicles for Change’s automotive training program. Photo credit: Office of the Maryland Governor

Lt. Governor Rutherford also spoke with a current trainee of Vehicles for Change’s Full Circle Auto Repair & Training Center, a program teaching formerly incarcerated individuals to become auto mechanics. Since 2015, the program has trained 95 men and women – 100 percent of whom have gone on to secure meaningful employment within the automotive industry. Only one percent (one individual) has gone back to prison after completing the program.

Since 1999, Vehicles for Change has awarded more than 6,200 low-cost cars to low-income families and individuals, changing the lives or more than 22,000 people. Vehicles donated by the public are refurbished by VFC’s Full Circle trainees under the guidance of master mechanics and then, once repaired, VFC awards the vehicles to hard-working families for as little as $950.

“It was a great pleasure to welcome Lt. Governor Rutherford to Vehicles for Change to learn more about our work and what we do to improve outcomes for those with financial challenges,” says Martin Schwartz, president of Vehicles for Change. "With the continued support of our elected officials, we're confident that we can continue driving change in the lives of those who need us most.

For additional information regarding Vehicles for Change, to donate a vehicle, or make a monetary contribution, visit www.vehiclesforchange.org or call 410-242-9674.

About VFC
Vehicles for Change accepts and repairs donated cars and awards them to pre-qualified families for as little as $950, enabling low-income families to become self-sufficient. A nonprofit organization, VFC receives 99 percent of its car donations from the public. Since 1999, VFC has awarded more than 6,200 cars to low-income families, changing the lives of more than 22,000 people. Eligible families are referred to VFC through partnering social service type agencies. VFC car donors gain a substantial tax advantage that’s not available with most other charities. For additional information about Vehicles for Change, or to donate a vehicle, visit www.vehiclesforchange.org or call 855-820-7990.