Purchase a van to help people get to work!

In 2021, Michigan was home to approximately 7% of its population as refugees and immigrants, as reported by the Data USA publication. This places the state in the top 30 in the nation, emphasizing its role as a destination offering refuge and hope to individuals from various corners of the globe. Aligned with the broader American dream, these newcomers share aspirations for a fulfilling life and seek to contribute to the nation's global successes in economics, freedom, and diverse sectors. However, the absence of reliable transportation and effective communication channels poses significant challenges, hindering their access to critical services, timely work attendance, and essential information and resources.

Imagine what this might look like for a single mom living in Grand Rapids. In order to find and keep a job, she must think about where her kids will be while she works, how to get to and from work each day, and how to communicate with an employer that doesn't speak her language.

This is where CaringConnect comes in. With your help, we can help immigrant and refugee parents not only access jobs, but keep them by addressing these common barriers. We cannot solve every employment challenge, but by providing transportation for families to daycare and work, we can make a big impact on a person's ability to keep a job by increasing their attendance and punctuality at work, and giving them the peace of mind that their children are lovingly cared for while they are away.

This fundraiser will help us purchase a van to be able to better serve our community and reach more families. We are estimating the cost of purchasing the vehicle to be between $55,000 and $60,000 and are budgeting for initial gas and insurance costs at $5,660 and $2,220 respectively. Any additional funds raised will support the mission of CaringConnect.