News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) is looking to add volunteers for a new program set to launch Jan. 28.
MyRide Program Coordinator Carrie Davenport explains the program will be similar to Uber and Lyft but with one key difference.
“The volunteer is going to go to that older adult’s home, they’re going to get out of their car, go to the door, knock on the door, introduce themselves with their ID badge, and help that senior into their vehicle,” Davenport says. “[Once they] help them into the vehicle, they’re going to take them to [places like] the hair salon and they’re going to stay with them, so it’s not ‘we’re going to drop you off and pick you up in 30 minutes.’ Then they’re going to take them to, say, the grocery store, and help them do their shopping, and then they’re going to take them home.”
Davenport presented the program Wednesday during a meeting at the UCHRA central office in Cookeville. She says a growing senior population within the Upper Cumberland has caused the agency to look for ways in providing for those with transportation needs.
“With Putnam County right now, we have 13,000 seniors that are 65 [years old] and above,” Davenport says. “This is going to increase by 32 percent over the next 12 years. So you’re going to see more and more seniors who don’t have the ability to drive and maybe they’re not comfortable taking other forms of public transportation, or don’t have the ability to have friends or family to help them out. So this gives them back their independence.”
Davenport says she will even assist seniors looking to use the program and its services by providing what she calls “travel training” to introduce them to public transit.
“So this travel training will include going with the volunteer and taking the whole trip to make them feel comfortable and understand how this system works,” Davenport says. “It is kind of hard for somebody to let someone they’ve never met come into their home. One of the things we’re hoping that happens, though, is that volunteer and that senior adult is going to connect.”
The MyRideTN program includes a $25 membership fee which includes three free rides. Any ride afterwards will cost the senior $4 round-trip within the county and $1 for each additional stop.
Davenport says a volunteer orientation will take place next Wednesday, Jan. 23. Volunteer applications can be found on the MyRide program website with the program set to launch Jan. 28 at the Cookeville Senior Center.
The program already has plans to expand to Cumberland and Warren Counties within the next year.
