Transportation Services

Increasing access to care.

For many of our older neighbors, losing the ability to drive means losing access to critical health care, necessary grocery trips and much-needed social interactions. Additionally, people who live below the poverty level, have Medicaid, or live in rural areas have a more difficult time accessing medical care and healthy food. Through its transportation services, Hearts & Hands increases access to medical care, food, and opportunities for physical and social activity.

Other transportation options are often not appropriate for the older adults we serve. Mobility impairments can make public transportation inaccessible even when it is available – many older adults have difficulty getting to bus stops or boarding busses, especially in the winter. Popular ride hailing services are not always accessible for our community members that lack computer or internet services. These services are also curb-to-curb and do not include the personalized care that our volunteers offer during an escorted trip, such as taking the groceries into the home or providing company in a doctor’s waiting room.

Hearts & Hands has been identified as a best practice agency offering a solution to identified transportation needs, especially in the senior populations. The Hearts & Hands program is noted by the Oishei Foundation’s Mobile Safety Net Community Assessments and is cited in the Human Service Transportation Plan by the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Center.

We transport to…

  • Medical Appointments
  • Grocery Shopping
  • Errands
  • Social Meetings
  • Worship Gatherings
  • Senior Centers
  • Gyms & Wellness Centers

How It Works

We accomplish this by providing transportation that meets the unique needs of older adults living in Erie County and Eastern Niagara County. Volunteers use their personal vehicles to provide door-through-door escorted transportation for our care recipients. There are no set schedules or routes, and we are able to take a care receiver anywhere at any time as long as a volunteer is available.

Our care receivers do not need computers, smart phones, or internet access to request services. There is no charge to care receivers for our services.

CARE RECIPIENT

Linda

I cannot thank you enough for arranging yesterday for Gary to take me to the WNY Hope Project. You could not find a better volunteer and nicer human being if you searched the world over. He’s very prompt, dedicated, and reliable. Thank you again. I appreciate your organization more than you’ll ever know.

Help your neighbors. Volunteer today.

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