Vehicles for Change – How to Get a Free Car. This article will explore how Vehicles for Change works and how you can get a free car through their program. We’ll talk about who can apply, how to use it, and the positive impact this program has on the lives of those who receive a free car. Keep reading to discover how you or someone you know could get a free vehicle and regain much-needed independence.
How to Get A Free Car from Vehicles for Change
To may be eligible for a vehicle through their program, when you meet specific criteria:
- Residency: You must live in either Maryland or Northern Virginia.
- Referrals: Have a referral from one of the sponsoring agencies listed on our website.
- Employment: You must either have proof of employment, or work at least 30 hours per week.
- Driver’s License: You must have or be in the posses of obtaining a valid driver’s license from the state in which you live.
- Insurability: You should have a clean driving record without DWIs or DUIs.
- No Other Vehicles: Your household should have no operable vehicles.
- Drug-Free: You must be drug-free.
- Financial Responsibility: You need to be prepared to cover additional expenses like taxes, tags, and title fees, which typically amount to around $500.
- Age and Parenthood: You must have children if you are under 25.
- Additional Criteria: Your sponsoring agency may have additional requirements that you must meet.
Additional Criteria
If any of the following situations apply to you, you can select the MD and VA Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) as your Sponsoring Agency:
- If you have received Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) funds within the past 12 months.
- If you are a non-custodial parent of a TCA recipient within the past 12 months.
- If you are a youth aging out of the foster care system.
How VFC Helps
Over the years, Vehicles For Change has granted over 8,000 cars to families with lower incomes, positively impacting the lives of more than 26,000 individuals. Their programs have shown excellent results, with 75% of recipients securing better employment or increasing their income by an average of $7,000 within the first year of receiving a car.
Vehicles for Change (Video)
While VFC primarily operates in the Maryland-Virginia-Washington D.C. area, it has expanded its reach to Detroit, Michigan. It is replicating its successful car award and automotive training programs to serve more people nationwide.
About Vehicles for Change
Founded in 1999, VFC has equipped families with the tools to achieve financial stability. They do this by helping families obtain a car or offering individuals new job opportunities.
Remarkably, 99% of the cars they receive as donations come from the public. These cars are repaired and made available to eligible families referred by social service agencies. VFC offers these vehicles to deserving families for as little as $950.
Vehicles For Change’s Training Program
In addition to its car award program, VFC runs the Full Circle Training Program, which provides reentry internships and trains individuals to become skilled auto mechanics. This program supports formerly incarcerated individuals in finding meaningful employment in the automotive industry, addressing the high national recidivism rate by offering a path to a stable income.
Furthermore, VFC operates Freedom Wheels, a retail used-car lot accessible to the public. This initiative helps keep car prices affordable for recipients—some donated vehicles, including luxury models or those with high book values.
They are repaired and sold through Freedom Wheels to maximize donors’ tax benefits and VFC’s financial resources. All proceeds from Freedom Wheels go toward preparing more vehicles for deserving families, allowing VFC to function as a social enterprise that funds its ongoing operations and expansion efforts.
FAQ: Vehicles for Change – How to Get a Free Car
1. What are Vehicles for Change (VFC)?
Vehicles for Change is an organization founded in 1999 dedicated to helping families achieve financial stability by providing them with cars. They source these cars primarily through public donations, repair them, and offer them to eligible families at low costs.
2. Who is eligible for a free car from VFC?
To be eligible, you must live in Maryland or Northern Virginia, have a referral from a sponsoring agency, work at least 30 hours per week or have a verifiable job offer, possess or be obtaining a valid driver’s license, have a clean driving record, have no operable vehicles in your household, be drug-free, and prepared to cover taxes, tags, and title fees. Additional criteria apply, such as having children if you’re under 25.
3. What are the additional criteria for eligibility under the MD and VA Transportation Assistance Program (TAP)?
You qualify if you’ve received Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) funds, are a non-custodial parent of a TCA recipient within the past 12 months, or are a youth aging out of the foster care system.
4. What is Freedom Wheels?
Freedom Wheels is a retail used-car lot operated by VFC. It sells repaired donated vehicles, including luxury models, to the public. The proceeds support VFC’s operations and mission to provide cars to deserving families.
5. Where is VFC located?
The company’s headquarters is in Baltimore, Maryland. It also has locations in Richmond, Virginia; Detroit, Michigan; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
6. Can I support VFC?
Yes, VFC accepts car donations from the public, which are essential to their operations. You can also support them through financial contributions.
Locations
Please collaborate with a local social service agency listed on our website for families in Maryland or Northern Virginia (north of Fredericksburg, Virginia). Residents of Northern Virginia should also complete an online application.
Vehicles for Change
4111 Washington Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21227
(410)242-9674
https://www.vehiclesforchange.org/marylandvirginia/
info@vehiclesforchange.org
Maryland (Headquarters)
4111 Washington Blvd.,
Halethorpe, MD 21227
(410) 242-9674
Virginia
4905 Fitzhugh Ave.,
Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 230-7996
Detroit, Michigan
19120 Grand River Ave.,
Detroit, MI 48223
(313) 451-6142
Pennsylvania
4706 Lebanon Ave.,
Philadelphia, PA 19131
(215) 268-9980
Conclusion
Vehicles for Change is like a ray of hope for people who might be stuck because they can’t afford a car. By giving away cars to those who meet specific requirements, this program is not just giving people a way to get around but also helping them take control of their lives.
With their help, people can find jobs, pursue their goals, and live better lives with a free car. Whether you’re in a position to support this cause or you’re someone who needs a car, remember that together, we can make the journey toward a brighter future easier for everyone.