The RSVP Transportation Program is dedicated to providing crucial door-to-door transportation for vulnerable populations. This includes frail, homebound, and low-income seniors aged 60 and over, individuals with disabilities between 18 and 59, and veterans who are no longer able to drive themselves. Operating across various communities, including Churchill County, the program ensures access to essential services and social connections.
Our volunteer drivers offer more than just a ride; they provide a vital lifeline for those facing mobility challenges. Services encompass free transportation to critical appointments such as medical, dental, and vision care, as well as essential errands like shopping. Beyond practical assistance, these trips offer invaluable opportunities for socialization, combating isolation and fostering a sense of community for our clients. Volunteer drivers act as companions, offering friendly conversation and reassurance, reinforcing the message that they are cared for and not alone. This support is key to maintaining their self-sufficiency and overall well-being.
Volunteers play a hands-on role, assisting clients from their homes to the vehicle and at their destinations. They may accompany clients to pick up prescriptions, join them for lunch, or provide support at senior centers. If needed, volunteers are happy to wait at appointment locations, ensuring a seamless and comfortable experience for the client.
The RSVP transportation service operates on an on-call, on-demand basis, requiring advance notice to schedule rides. Available Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 3 pm, clients can easily arrange transportation by contacting the RSVP Transportation Coordinator or their county’s Volunteer Field Representatives. This simple process connects clients with our dedicated network of volunteer drivers.
Our program relies on the generosity of volunteers who use their personal vehicles to provide rides that would otherwise be unavailable in their communities. These volunteers receive comprehensive ongoing training, mileage reimbursement at a rate of $.60 per mile, and are recognized annually at RSVP’s Volunteer Recognition Event. RSVP collaborates with esteemed organizations like the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to provide specialized driver training. This ensures our volunteers are well-equipped to offer safe and reliable transportation services to our clients.
A Legacy of Service: RSVP Transportation Program History
RSVP boasts a long-standing commitment to volunteer transportation, a cornerstone of our independent living programs aimed at enhancing the quality of life and independence of seniors in rural Nevada communities.
From humble beginnings in the early 1980s with a donated vehicle from the Carson City Rotary Club, RSVP’s Transportation Program has grown significantly. Over the years, alongside RSVP-designated vehicles, dedicated volunteers have consistently utilized their own vehicles to expand the program’s reach. Strategic partnerships with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) have further strengthened our capabilities, with vehicle grants received in 1999, 2001, 2007, and 2010, benefiting communities from Carson City to the wider region. In 2006, Storey County demonstrated its support by dedicating a van for RSVP’s use in the River District.
Client Testimonial: The Real Impact
“My driver, Becca, is an angel and a God send. She has gone from not only driving me to my appointments, but also picks up my prescriptions when I am unable to do so. I would be lost if not for RSVP and I am 100% housebound without them.”
– RSVP Transportation Client
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