Lake Links, the non-profit community transportation provider serving Lake County, has been awarded a $15,000 Community Challenge Grant from AARP to start a new volunteer driver program “Ride Links”. Ride Links will use volunteers driving their own cars to provide escorted rides for seniors who have few other transportation options. The mission of the AARP Community Challenge grant program is to “make communities more livable for people of all ages with tangible improvements that jump-start long-term change.” In 2022, AARP is investing $3.4 million among 260 grantees across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S Virgin Islands.

Lake Links is a 501(c)3 non-profit that currently operates 2 transportation programs for seniors and persons with disabilities in Lake County: The Pay-Your-Pal program which allows eligible riders to find their own drivers to necessary destinations (medical, shopping, etc.) who are then paid a mileage reimbursement; and Medi-Links, operated in partnership with Lake Transit, which provides low-cost trips to out-of-county medical appointments.

Ride Links will feature a pool of screened and trained volunteer drivers in their own cars who will be matched with eligible riders. Lake Links is currently recruiting for a Program Manager to lead the Ride Links launch, and Ride Links will launch in the next several months. Interested volunteer drivers may contact Lake Links at (707) 995-3330 email: [email protected] to be put on a waiting list to drive. Mileage reimbursements will be available for those drivers who request it.