Transportation

Okay, here’s another “hard” one – reliable transportation.

First off, let me admit that I have severe anxiety when it comes to driving. So much so that I got my permit but was never able to pass the driver’s test. Now (maybe in part due to this anxiety), I’m not allowed to drive (yes, my physician stated it was safer if I don’t).

However, when I had my babies, I bought a car. I thought maybe I could learn to drive it for them. My anxiety prevented that from happening, but that started my journey into needing reliable transportation.

Sure, Medicaid will pay to go to/from the doctor’s office. Some states, some cities, have a job-transport program where you pay $2.50-$5 (each way) to get a ride to work.

When I lived in Tennessee, I met MUMs. They offered transportation – and they had licensed, insured drivers who volunteered.

We want a similar program here. Need to take your child to daycare before heading in to work? No problem. Need to have a trusted adult transport your child from school to the daycare center? (We’re talking that one over – do we want to be responsible for your child if you’re not with him/her?) Need to get to work?

 

What are your thoughts? Would this be helpful or cause more problems? What about insurance needs? Would we need to have a contract for clients to sign stating that you would not hold us liable for any accidents? Tell us what you think about this possible program.

***No child will be transported without a proper car seat or restraint system.***

Why LYDIA, pt 3

Thank you for your interest in LYDIA, Inc.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s a day of green – in many ways……

Many people have asked me what my vision is for LYDIA. I want to post a brief overview of the current programs (which you can find out more about by visiting our website and going to “Programs we Offer”)….But I’ll expand on the programs in detail in future posts.

Firstly, our job-training program. We want to have a bookstore and cafe – why a retail store? Why a bookstore? Honestly? Because I love reading. I’ll talk more about this store at length in our post on the Book Lounge. Why a cafe? Because everyone has to eat and I love to cook. There’s some good news in store for our clients, too. Partnerships with local area businesses, possibly including a grant match type situation.

Our job-skills training will match mentors with clients who want to learn hands-on trade and/or encourage clients who attend trade or vocation school.

Our child-care solutions will approach child-care needs in a 3-fold approach.

Transportation will be volunteer-based/driven.

Youth programs will include tutoring, drama teams, and band nights.

There is, of course, so much more we want to do and offer. But we want to hear from you, our community.

 

 

 

How Can We Help?

Welcome back, dear readers. We are still working on getting our website up and running, developing our programs, and establishing community here in Santa Fe.

girl writing in diary
In developing our programs, our director, Emma Shows, is training as a life coach. Our marketing director, David Commini, is learning more about marketing and pushing our organization through multiple social media platforms (Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more). As part of our learning, we were asked what our system of services and delivery might look like to our clients.
So, here they are in paragraph form. Continue Reading →