Good News Garage started in July 1996, has been used as a national model for addressing the core causes of poverty by removing transportation barriers to employment. Good News Garage, a subsidiary of Lutheran Social Services, repairs donated cars and provides them to low-income individuals throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

The University of Vermont and HUD completed a study in 2005 that showed that Good News Garage is an effective tool for ending or reducing an individual's need for TANF funds "welfare". It also found that 90% of those that received a car felt more hopeful for a better future for themselves and their children.
 

Colston left the Good News Garage in March 2004 to create NeighborKeepers. This new non-profit utilizes a national "Circles of Support" strategy to transition families out of poverty through community support. Each circle consists of a low-income family that has resolved to get out of poverty and a team of friends and "allies," volunteers recruited from the community, who wrap around the family and offer their support and guidance. According to Colston, "It works because it breaks the isolation of poverty. The average community participant has zero to two associational relationships in their life; allies have eight to ten."

Hal believes his profile in People Magazine will help spread the word about this new anti-poverty approach and the importance of donating a car to Good News Garage, which has already proven successful. "Meaningful relationships based on trust and reciprocity is the foundation for success in family and community life. Our goal is to "do with" as opposed to "do for" people transitioning out of poverty. The ultimate goal is to change our community's mindset about poverty. People just don't wake up and choose to be poor," says Colston.

Currently, there are six families in Chittenden County who are participating in the program and six families who are expected to enroll soon. NeighborKeepers' goal is to enroll 25 families, and they are actively looking for volunteer allies to meet this need. To volunteer contact Hal Colston at NeighborKeepers or call NeighborKeeper's office in Burlington, Vermont 802-846-7292.

Good News Garage's mission is to create economic opportunity by providing affordable and reliable transportation options to people in need. All car donations are tax deductible.

You may donate a truck, car or van online right now, just click on "Donate a car" or call Good News Garage toll-free at 1-877-448-3288.

NeighborKeepers