Agency: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Description: On the Go Transportation Solutions for Older Adults, fills a vital need in our community. It offers older adults a viable option to not driving. When an older adult decides it is no longer a safe choice to drive, they risk isolating themselves from friends, family and basic freedoms. On the Go provides an answer!

Here’s how:

1. On the Go Shuttles provide group transportation to shopping destinations and older adult centers
2. On the Go Excursions provide group transportation to diverse social activities
3. Rides & Smiles provides individual transportation by volunteers to necessary personal and medical appointments, visits to loved ones in hospitals & nursing homes, social activities & more.  

And you can help! Volunteer drivers are urgently needed for Rides & Smiles. On the Go provides mileage reimbursement and secondary auto insurance. Rides & Smiles works with a convenient web-based scheduling system. You determine when, where & who you drive.  There is no minimum number of rides to provide. With the kick off of the nationwide volunteer program, characterized as a “new spirit of service in America,” volunteering for Rides & Smiles makes it easy to participate. You have the power to make an immediate and direct impact on your community. On the Go is a program of the Jewish Senior Services Council delivered by Jewish Family Service, offers three transportation options to the entire community, regardless of religious affiliation.

To become a volunteer: Attend a convenient one hour orientation/training, complete the application process which includes a DMV record check & live scan fingerprinting. All costs are covered by On the Go.

This project is approved for volunteers with the following restrictions: Allow Pending Members

Impact Areas: Seniors, Health & Wellness: Family Services

Interests: The interests recommended for this project are:
Types of Volunteering: Short-term / One-time Opportunities, Types of Volunteering: Longer-term Opportunities, Population Served: Seniors, Population Served: Physically / Mentally ill, Issue Area: Civic Engagement, Issue Area: Health and Human Services

Skills: The skills helpful for participation in this project are:
General: Transportation / Driver

Location: San Diego, CA 92037 (Opportunities Countywide)