CITY OF ARLINGTON | Grants Management Annual Report 2024 65
Success Stories for Arlington On-Demand
Monte Carroll
Monte uses Arlington ’ s Free Ride program to come get service three days a week . Monte is an individual who does not have a permanent address and receives homeless lunches every Monday , Wednesday , and Friday , along with hygiene items and clothing on Fridays .
In addition , Monte has a job and uses the ride program to get to his employment site or make a trip to the Social Security Office to sort out his affairs . Monte has received a new cove every month to ensure he has reliable transportation . This client previously owned a personal vehicle but had mechanical issues and this vehicle became unreliable .
As an alternative , Monte received assistance through the free ride program , which allowed him to keep his job , go to the Social Security Office to apply for SSI , and even do laundry . Every time Monte comes to get his lunch he mentioned how “ thankful ” he is for the ability to provide him with a mode of transportation . Monte has mentioned that “ Arlington Charities has treated me very well .”
Jan Hensley
Jan Hensley is a 79-year-old client who just recently learned about the Arlington On-Demand program . The client revealed she no longer had a working vehicle and had not been able to come to the agency for food appointments since January due to her car issues . She was offered an Arlington On-Demand code , which she said she would use to come to classes . This client was extremely excited when she learned how the free ride program worked , and she was listing all the places she could now go to . The client originally walked to the grocery store , to her friend ’ s home , and even to her doctor ’ s appointments , but with Arlington On-Demand , she will no longer need to do that . The client ’ s sons are not always available to give her rides to some locations , but now she can rely on herself to book a ride with Arlington On-Demand and go anywhere she needs to . When speaking with this client over the phone , she mentioned how she would be able to visit her friend now and “ go to my doctor appointments ” without having to walk long distances . The client also stated , “ I am very happy you called and offered me this option for transportation .” This client signed up for computer classes and intends to use Arlington On-Demand for future transportation to these classes .