2004 grants focus: Women on Wheels

The Women’s Fund Board granted $150,000 in March of 2004 to fund Women On Wheels (WOW), a medically related transportation system and service. The grant, which will be distributed over 24 months, will go to the Community Initiative Division of United Way of Central Alabama.

The centerpiece of the proposed system will be a resource and coordination center. By calling one telephone number, individuals, family members or professionals can link to the most appropriate existing transportation service in the community. The next step will be to develop a pilot transportation service that includes companions for those who need one. The Women's Fund hopes that the pilot program can be evaluated and offered as a model for other communities.

According to Portraits 2000, there were almost 79,000 women over the age of 65 living in the Greater Birmingham area. By 2025, the area is expected to experience an 84 percent increase in that number. Currently Alabama provides no state funds for public transportation. Elderly women, many of whom live alone, must rely on others for rides to medically related services, shopping and socialization activities.

The Women’s Fund is proud to provide women of wisdom some much-needed wheels through this innovative proposal.

To read more about WOW and its progress through 2006 click here.