For those who no longer drive or never learned to drive, Jewish Family Services offers JET Express, which uses volunteer drivers to provide safe, reliable and affordable transportation to such places as the grocery store, doctors’ appointments, activities and friends.
The door-to-door program offers both one-way or round-trip options. Since the beginning of the program, JET Express has provided hundreds of trips.
Since COVID, when in-person contact was not possible, the number of volunteer drivers for JET Express has dropped significantly while the demand for riders continues to rise. Currently, there are 36 drivers; JFS needs double that number.
JET Express volunteers go through basic training and choose when and how often they wish to drive – all from an online platform. JET Express drivers receive mileage reimbursement, and JFS provides secondary auto insurance.
Requirements to become a JET Express Driver include being 21 or older, having one’s own car to transport riders and passing a basic background check.
In addition to helping in the community, a JET Express driver has the benefit of making new friends.
“We often share stories from our week or about our families, talking about the weather or just sharing a smile,” said Kelly Somberg, a JET Express driver. “I also love how flexible and easy it is to volunteer for JET Express. I can choose my rides from my computer. It is my choice how many rides I do each week. Many times, I can help someone else with a ride while I am running my errands; that’s a win-win in my book.”
Those interested in becoming a JET Express driver can email or call the volunteer engagement department at (913) 730-1410.