New York’s older population is growing rapidly, and by the year 2015 adults age sixty and over will make up 20 to 29 percent of the general population. This cohort will become 50% larger than the existing senior adult population. This major population shift presents a challenge to communities, government agencies, providers of housing and senior services, and others involved with older adults. Older adults express an overwhelming desire to live independently as long as possible. In most communities, maintaining mobility with alternatives to the personal automobile is critical to maintaining an independent lifestyle. People with disabilities may also have difficulty traveling, and public transport is not always sufficient to meet their needs. Everyone in the community will benefit from more options and increased safety. An increasing number of Americans are aware of the environmental impact of driving, and are seeking opportunities to reduce their carbon footprint. For others, the costs of solely owning and operating a car consume a disproportionate share of household income.

ITNEverywhere—4 matching grants of $25,000 each

To meet the evolving transportation needs of communities across New York State, ITNAmerica through the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation will provide 4 communities $25,000 each in matching funds to establish and incubate pilot sites of ITNEverywhere ® — a research and development project designed to test how elements of a proven alternative transportation model (the ITN ® affiliate model) may be used to serve smaller communities. The project will also study how to incorporate some additional innovative transport methods (currently outside the ITN model) which show promise in smaller communities.
ITNEverywhere takes the core business innovations of the original ITN model for seniors—personal transportation accounts, and a flexible approach to private resources, including traded vehicles, volunteer credits, cash, co-payments, and gift certificates—and expands them to include the population as a whole in conjunction with a suite of software programs designed to document, track and access multiple forms of unused private capacity.

Independent Transportation Network (ITN) affiliates—2 grants of $50,000 each

The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation and ITNAmerica seek to bring the benefits of ITN to communities wishing to reach out to lower income seniors. To accomplish this end, ITNAmerica has two $50,000 matching grants for communities with a population of 200,000 or more in a 15 mile radius. The funds will be awarded over two years to help start ITN affiliates that focus on volunteer recruitment to help serve lower income seniors. It will be necessary to raise additional funds. The grants may not be used as operating funds for existing programs. Every ITN affiliate forms an independent, non-profit corporation that becomes part of the nationally affiliated system. ITN service is available 24/7 for any purpose, in automobiles, through a combination of paid and volunteer drivers.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout July and August. For more information, contact Ernie Ott, Community Outreach Manager, ITNAmerica, by email at Ernie.Ott@itnamerica.org, by phone at 909.792.6326 or by mail at 90 Bridge Street, Westbrook, Maine 04092. To learn more about this exciting new opportunity, please download the entire text of the announcement here.

“On behalf of our Board, volunteers and members, I thank the RTC for their confidence and support enabling us to launch this transportation service which is so desperately needed,” said Director, Fran Smith. “This grant means that those with disabilities can maintain their independence and continue to be active members of our community.”

To learn more call: 702.506.0917.or email: info@itnlasvegasvalley.org. For more information visit: www.itnlasvegasvalley.org.

On July 22, Schuster will be visiting the Sycamore Senior Center to explain how community members can access ITNGreaterCincinnati’s services. Keep up the great work!

Read the full article.

Dr. Butler died Sunday in Manhattan. He was 83 and had worked until three days before his death. The cause was acute leukemia, his daughter Christine Butler said. Read the New York Times obituary.

Joining the group were Tom Anthony, Esq., of Frost, Brown, Todd, along with wife Susan, Chuck Proudfit and Preston Bowles of Skillsource, Suzanne Burke of the Council on Aging of Southwest Ohio and ITNGC Board Member, Dan Geeding from the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Scott McQuinn of Life Enriching Communities, Nancy Mlinarik of Skilled Care Pharmacy, and Jan Montegue from Whole Person Wellness Solutions. Lee Scroggins, ITNGC Board Chairperson, Pat Ward, Executive Director of the Deaconess Associations Foundation and ITNGC Board Secretary/Treasurer, and Nancy Schuster, Executive Director ITNGC, gathered the group to enjoy the day and of course, discuss future strategies for ITNGC.

The Reds broke a three-game losing streak with their 7-1 win over the Dodgers. And ITNGreaterCincinnati continues their winning streak by advancing their launch plans. Many thanks to Cincinnati Financial Insurance Company and host Matt Skinner, Esq., for making the day possible.

See pictures from the game.

ITNGC is a membership-based, volunteer-driven transportation service using a pre-paid transportation account and private cars. A door-through-door, arm-through-arm service, ITN serves seniors and adults with visual impairments, 24/7. The new transportation option does not limit destinations and is currently available to members living within the 275 loop, east of Hwy 75. An affiliate of ITNAmerica®, ITNGC is the fourteenth of the fifteen affiliates offering this unique service, from Portland Maine, where it originated, to San Diego, California.

All entries should be clearly marked with name and contact information on back of photo. Further information available on www.itngreatercincinnati.org. Submit entries to: ITNGreaterCincinnati, 311 Straight Street; Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219, and postmarked no later than August 16.

Betty White Look Alike Contest Flyer

At the training session, the benefits of volunteering will be explained, which include a free ITNGreaterCincinnati membership to give to someone plus options on what to do with mileage earned. The best benefit, though, is the good feeling volunteers get by helping others remain active and independent.

Most of ride requests involve weekdays, but a growing number of customers are scheduling weekend and evening rides. Hop on board to bring summer activities to those who really could use your driving skills.

Below is a list of upcoming Volunteer Driver trainings for June and July. Other schedules can be accommodated.

Sessions:

Friday, June 18; 1-3 p.m.
Goetz Building, 415 Straight St. – Clifton

Thursday, June 24; 10 a.m. – noon
Goetz Building, 415 Straight St. – Clifton

Thursday, July 8; 3-5 p.m.
Goetz Building, 415 Straight St.- Clifton

Saturday, July 17; 10 a.m. – noon
Goetz Building, 415 Straight St. – Clifton

Thursday, July 29; 3-5 p.m.
Goetz Building, 415 Straight St. – Clifton

Tuesday, August 10; 1-3 p.m.
Goetz Building, 415 Straight St- Clifton

Saturday, August 21; 10 a.m. – noon
Goetz Building, 415 Straight St.- Clifton

All trainings are in the conference room of ITNGreaterCincinnati, first floor of the Goetz Building. Park in the open lot across from the Goetz Building or the parking garage.

Please email info@itngreatercincinnati or call 559-2200 with questions or to reserve your space. Attending does not obligate you to drive.

Qualifications for volunteer drivers:

1. Valid Ohio driver’s license and three years driving experience.
2. Acceptable record of safe driving and clean criminal history check.
3. Proof of liability insurance for vehicle and current registration.
4. Personal references from three non-relatives.
5. Not taking drugs/medications that caution users against driving.
6. Ability to lift wheelchairs and walkers, and carry packages up to 25 lbs.

A membership program with a pre-paid transportation account, ITN is a door-through-door service, helping members with steps and packages, heavy doors and walkers. Now in its fourteenth year, ITN recreates the comfort and convenience of private auto ownership and will supplement existing transportation system in Greater Cincinnati.

Schuster explained the community benefits of the new system for both members and volunteers. On July 22, Schuster will visit the Sycamore Senior Center for an educational session on how to access ITNGC.

Since its inception with ITNPortland, the volunteer-driven transportation system has expanded to fifteen sites across the country. Cincinnati is the fourteenth affiliate, and the only affiliate in Ohio. For more information, go to www.ITNGreaterCincinnati.org, or call 513.559.2200.