No other program brings such a positive impact as does our DTS program. Since its inception DTS has assisted more than 171 working, low-income families purchase refurbished vehicles – their only family vehicle.

How DTS Works: Each year under DTS, Community Partners contributes toward the purchase of used and refurbished vehicles for 25 families who participate in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) – a federally mandated program designed to assist families in Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (formerly Section 8) programs to achieve self-sufficiency over a 5-7 year period and to end dependency on public assistance.  Public Housing and HCV families represent the lowest-income families in Montgomery County, Maryland, reporting on average an annual income of $12,000 to $14,000, with 30% of residents under $10,000.

Using grant funds, Community Partners pays for the repair and inspection of donated vehicles offered by Vehicles for Change (VfC) (www.vehiclesforchange.org), a local non-profit that operates the largest program of its kind in the country and was classified a “best practice” in a 2002 national study. VfC was also highlighted in the Washington Post, NBC News, AAA Magazine, Baltimore Sun and Motor Week in 2007 for its work with low-income families.

Participants are screened for the DTS program based on their ability to pay $250 for the taxes, tags and title, for the on-going monthly automobile insurance, and for a total of $700 toward the cost of the car which may be paid over the course of 12 months. The cars provided are reconditioned, have passed Maryland inspection requirements, and come with a 6-month or 6,000 mile warranty from VfC. The reconditioning of each donated vehicle costs $2,700. As noted above, each participant pays $700 and $2,000 is paid by Community Partners under the DTS program. The DTS program pays the greater percentage in order to ensure that each family can maintain their vehicle for the long-run.

VfC provides formal training sessions for the participants to learn about basic vehicle maintenance and basic troubleshooting. Community Partners offers case management assistance to the family as they secure the taxes, tags and insurance requirements before taking possession of their vehicle. As participants in the FSS program, DTS households receive comprehensive and ongoing intensive case management that is designed to empower families through education and job training to become financially self-sufficient. Often times, being able to purchase a family vehicle is the last missing piece in the struggle to break out of the cycle of poverty.

Make a cash contribution to support the DTS Program.

Donate a car for the VfC Program. Your donation is tax deductible!