Way to Go provides essential transportation services to low-income and Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed (ALICE) workers to ensure they maintain employment and access to essential community services. The majority of clients served fall below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Way to Go is an empowerment organization, not an entitlement program. Clients are eligible for three separate referrals or group of services within one calendar year, and eligible for up to five referrals or group of services overall lifetime. Way to Go has always been conscientious of empowering clients rather than enabling them, and the service limits that we have established support this concept. Our services are intended to provide an immediate hand-up to those in need so that they may continue to move forward independently. Our services are not meant to be a recurring lifeline or subsistence-level of support.
Reside in either the City of Harrisonburg or Rockingham County (VA);
Currently employed or have a verifiable job offer for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Individuals who are unemployed, but actively enrolled in an intensive job search program or job training program that will directly lead to employment may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Refer to the special * note below regarding further employment eligibility requirements for clients seeking to obtain a vehicle through Way to Go.
Recommendation for services by a representative of a local agency or community organization (e.g., social worker, case manager, or similar) who is familiar with the household’s needs, resources, and employment history.
donated or assisted-purchased/financed vehicle *
repairs, including State inspection **
vehicle insurance premium payment **
vehicle fees (e.g., vehicle registration, driver’s license reinstatement)
gas vouchers
monthly vehicle payment to bank or finance company **
work shuttles (taxi, Uber or Lyft)
driving lessons in order to obtain Virginia driver’s license; driver improvement course
other urgent transportation needs necessary to maintain employment
* Clients seeking to obtain a vehicle through Way to Go must be consistently working 30/+ hours per week for at least three (3) months with the same employer (or immediately advanced to a job with greater pay/benefits) before completing one of the Vehicle Acquisition Applications further below.
** Clients requesting assistance with vehicle repair, vehicle loan payment, or vehicle insurance payment must possess a valid and active driver’s license in order to be considered for these services. Further, if clients are past due on their personal property taxes and their tags have expired, they must get both their taxes and tags brought up-to-date before being considered for assistance with vehicle repairs. Additionally, clients with suspended driver’s licenses must pay or have money saved to cover the jurisdictional fines (if applicable) and DMV fines before being considered for assistance with the separate driver’s license reinstatement fee assessed by DMV.
Representatives from local agencies and community organizations (e.g., social worker, case manager, or similar) referring clients to Way to Go for transportation services must complete and return this form. Clients are not permitted to directly refer themselves to Way to Go for services.
Clients seeking to obtain a vehicle through Way to Go must be consistently working 30/+ hours per week for at least three (3) months with the same employer (or immediately advanced to a job with greater pay/benefits) before applying to one of the vehicle acquisition programs outlined below. Prior to applying, clients will need to be recommended for vehicle acquisition by their referring agent (see Agency Referral process and application instructions immediately above).
Please refer to the Vehicle Programs Matrix for a brief summary of each of the three vehicle acquisition programs offered, with further details below:
In partnership with Farmers & Merchant Bank, the WorkCars Program provides Way to Go-approved clients with bank-rate vehicle financing for up to 36 months, regardless of client’s credit history (loan cap of $3,500). In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, clients must show a strong work record and have sufficient available monthly funds after all expenses have been paid (no less than $450) necessary for vehicle ownership. Clients must work with their referring agent to complete this application. It is advised that clients provide their referring agent with their two-year driving record prior to completing the application, as clients with a driving point balance below a negative 5 are ineligible to apply. Upon satisfactory review of submitted application by the Way to Go office, the client is required to attend an interview with the Vehicle Award Committee for approval. The client’
s referring agent is requested to also attend this meeting.
Clients in need of a vehicle who do not qualify for financing through our WorkCars Program or have limited available monthly funds after all expenses have been paid (no less than $200) can apply for a donated vehicle. Donated vehicles, provided in-kind by local citizens and business owners, are awarded to Way to Go-approved clients at no cost (no monthly vehicle payment). However, clients are responsible for vehicle maintenance, gas, insurance, taxes, and tags/registration after award of a vehicle. Clients must work with their referring agent to complete this application. It is advised that clients provide their referring agent with their two-year driving record prior to completing the application, as clients with a driving point balance below a negative 5 are ineligible to apply. Upon satisfactory review of submitted application by the Way to Go office, the client is required to attend an interview with the Vehicle Award Committee for approval. The client’s referring agent is requested to also attend this meeting.
Way to Go Donated Vehicle Program Application
Way to Go partners with Vehicle for Change, a separate non-profit organization, to provide vehicle financing (loan amount: $1,113; 12 month payment term) to families in Virginia. Clients with dependent children under the age of 18 are eligible to apply.
Please note that the previous program requirement of an applicant household needing to have received TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) public assistance payments within the past two years has been waived.
Clients must work with their referring agent to complete this application, including the Program Description Agreement and Car Owner Agreement. To be eligible, clients must be employed on a consistent basis for a minimum 30 hours per week and have sufficient available monthly funds after expenses have been paid (no less than $450) necessary for vehicle ownership. It is advised that clients provide their referring agent with their two-year driving record prior to completing the application, as clients with a driving point balance below a negative 5 are ineligible to apply.
Vehicles for Change Program Description Agreement
Vehicles for Change Application
Vehicles for Owner Agreement
Vehicles for Change Car Pick-Up Information
