Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center participates in the Feonix-Mobility Rising program. Courtesy | Facebook
Transportation nonprofit Feonix-Mobility Rising is offering free and low-cost rides to area residents following its partnership with several local charity groups.
The partnership is a pilot program with the goal of providing transportation to those seeking healthcare, food services, employment, and education, according to a press release from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency.
On an app called the Feonix Mobility Wallet, residents can choose between micro-mobility, private, specialty, Uber, volunteer transportation, and more options.
Feonix-Mobility Rising sought cooperation with community partners in Hillsdale several months ago through the Human Services Network, a broader group of nonprofits, according to Kris Dewey, health education and promotion supervisor at Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph.
“We had completed an interest form — several other agencies did as well, and we were notified in August that our agency was selected as a partner agency,” Dewey said.
Dewey said the community decided to put out a joint press release after many other Hillsdale agencies had received the Mobility Wallets.
Individuals who need services from Feonix need to reach out to agencies that have the program first, according to Dewey. After the agencies refer them to Feonix, clients can set up their account, access the app, and book their own rides with Feonix’s funding sources.
“The individual can book rides until those funds are exhausted,” Dewey said.
The agencies participating in the transportation program are Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center, Head Start, Hillsdale Hospital Obstetrical Services, Michigan Works! Southeast-Hillsdale County Office, and Perennial Park.
Bryce Asberg, the executive director of Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center, said he is grateful to have this opportunity.
“In a rural community like ours, lack of transportation is one of the biggest barriers to receiving the services you need,” Asberg said in a press release.
Perennial Park Transportation Specialist Elaine Hilliker said there is a need for transportation services for senior citizens living outside of the Hillsdale Dial-A-Ride city limits.
“We have a large rural county with many seniors who don’t have transportation to their medical appointments,” Hilliker said.
Hilliker said she works to match volunteer drivers at Perennial Park, a senior services center in Hillsdale County, with seniors in need of transportation, and she can now refer clients to Feonix should drivers not be available. According to Hilliker, a feature on the radio called “Perennial Park Perspective” mentions Perennial’s transportation program, connecting drivers and seniors to the service.
“That is an ongoing effort, because the drivers come and go,” Hilliker said. “Sometimes people just find out about our program, and they have the time and they say, ‘Hey, I wouldn’t mind driving seniors to their medical appointments.’”
According to the Feonix-Mobility Rising website, Feonix recruits and trains volunteer drivers to promote low-cost or free accessibility to transportation. The press release said Feonix’s volunteer drivers are compensated for their mileage at $0.67 per mile, and volunteers can connect to the program through Feonix’s website or by calling 833-653-6544.
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