NV Rides January 2021 Newsletter

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A young woman is smiling as she sits in the driver seat of a car. She provides transportation for elderly in her neighborhood through the NV Rides partners program. She is happy because transportation for seniors is now solved!

NV Rides helps increase food access to vulnerable individuals during the pandemic

Our dedicated volunteer drivers have helped to ensure that no family goes hungry during this difficult time. The recently-expanded J-Rides program, along with several of our network partners continue to offer food deliveries to vulnerable Northern Virginia individuals and families.

We have been successful in onboarding over 60 new drivers and have completed more than 75 deliveries to individuals who either lack transportation to local food pantries or are in quarantine. Food bank managers appreciate that our drivers are able to bring food out to their clients on an as-needed basis, so that the clients do not have to miss their regularly scheduled distribution.

If there is a food pantry in your community that could use extra help with deliveries, we welcome the opportunity to connect with them. Send and email to info@nvrides.org so we can start a conversation.

New grant cycle with MWASH-COG brings opportunities for collaboration

A new grant cycle for through the 5310 Enhanced Mobility Grant administered by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWASH-COG) began on February 1. The funding, which will be available through January 2023, will enable us to continue the important work of adding more volunteer transportation options for non-driving seniors in Northern Virginia.

"We are grateful for the funding that COG provides. It enables us to sustain the support we provide to our network partners and the ability to continue to enhance the program," said Jennifer Kanarek, manager of NV Rides.

"Over the next two years we plan to improve training for volunteer drivers by producing a series of virtual volunteer training modules for our partners. The project is timely since the world has shifted online. We could not have predicted when we submitted our proposal in 2019 that our partners would have to alter their day to day operations so significantly."

Additionally, we will be collaborating with our partners at the Dulles Area Transit Authority (DATA) to address transportation challenges facing veterans. If you are connected to the veteran community and have ideas or challenges you would like to share, please contact us at info@nvrides.org. We also look forward to resume work with our partners at Volunteer Prince William, who administer the VETS program, when it comes back online after the pandemic.

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

As we have all witnessed over the past few weeks, the demand for the COVID-19 vaccine far outweighs the supply. We are including the most up to date information from the various Health Departments in the region so you can be informed and prepared to book an appointment when the supply is available.

Fairfax County

COVID-19 Update to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors can be found here.

The Fairfax County Health Department in partnership with the Fairfax Area Disability Services Board and the Department of Family Services Fairfax Area Agency on Aging will be hosting a community conversation for older adults and adults with disabilities in order to share information about the COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday February 11th at 6pm and Friday February 12th at 12pm.

AARP is also holding a community conversation via Zoom on February 20th at 10am with Fairfax County Health Department Director Gloria Addo-Ayensu, MD, MPH. Register here.

The Fairfax Health District is hiring part-time vaccinators, to learn more visit this link.

Arlington County

Information about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout can be found on the Arlington County dashboard. People in group 1-C can pre-register through the Health Department on their page.

Loudoun County

The Loudoun County dashboard includes up to date information about the vaccine rollout. Residents can also text LCCOVID19 to 888777 to receive text alerts from Loudoun County about COVID-19.

Prince William County

The Prince William Health District in conjunction with Prince William County Government expanded the COVID-19 Call Center to include information on the vaccine. The call center will provide information to residents concerning COVID-19 vaccines and assist with those who do not have access to a computer, the internet, or email. The call center hours: Monday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 703-872-7759. Residents can also text COVIDPWC to 888777 for COVID-19 alerts. More information can be found on the Prince William County dashboard.

aging matters
Did you miss our conversation with Cheyl Beversdorf on her Aging Matters Show last month? No problem! Click here to listen to a recorded version, or search for the show on your favorite streaming platform.
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