Molinaro gives Pryce the keys to her car
POUGHKEEPSIE – Six deserving Dutchess County families now have
the wheels essential to becoming even more productive members of the community
and in a better position to support themselves and their families.
County Executive Marc Molinaro joined the County Department of Community
and Family Services and Dutchess County BOCES Tuesday to present the donated
used vehicles to the recipients from the Community Solutions to Transportation
“Wheels to Work” programs.
“Wheels to Work” is part of a multi-dimensional approach to help transition residents to work. Other components of that approach include training students, through a relationship with Dutchess County BOCES, among other partners; daycare for eligible families; and the Community Solutions for Transportation program.
One of the vehicles now belongs to Deshawn Pryce, who came to Dutchess County 10 years ago and now is the mother of three children, ages 10, 7 and 18 months.
“We need this because it’s helping moms to be able to be mothers and keep a job and take care of their children without relying on any system or any government assistance, and I’m so grateful and thankful for this opportunity,” Pryce said. “And, I told my daughter and said we’re coming home with a car, and they’re so excited and I’m so happy and thankful for this.”
Precisely the kind of family the program is intended to help.
Molinaro told the recipients they can feel pride.
“So the message I would want to leave you with is just that – don’t ever look down at yourselves, don’t ever feel like you can’t accomplish, don’t ever feel like there aren’t people who truly care, because you live in a county and a community when others may not feel that this is not that important. We do.”
Since its inception in 2001, 731 vehicles have been approved on behalf of program participants. For every family that receives a car and avoids temporary assistance, Dutchess County saves over $1,600 a month.
The new owners with county and program officials, and their cars. Vendors who donated the cars are also giving instruction
on basic maintenance, including when to change the oil and how to change a flat.
