"Back to School" Means Better Transportation for 2 Local Families

Amanda Kahn, 29, of Pasadena, Md. who received a 2004 Toyota Sienna

Just in time for “back to school,” Vehicles for Change awarded two single mothers safe, reliable vehicles on Friday, August 30, 2019 at its facility in Halethorpe. A Baltimore-based nonprofit, Vehicles for Change empowers families and individuals with financial challenges to achieve economic and personal independence through car ownership and technical training.

A vehicle is a pathway to economic and personal independence for parents and contributes to better school performance for children. According to a 2014 study published in the Journal of School Effectiveness and School Improvement, arriving to school on time can increase a child’s math and reading scores because they don’t miss out on important instruction. Additionally, punctual students develop positive lifelong habits and understand the importance of being on time for important commitments, according to SeattlePI.com.

Vehicles for Change’s “back to school” vehicle recipients are Amanda Kahn, 29, of Pasadena and Megan Jenkins, 31, of Baltimore City.

Kahn, a single mother of three children ages 9, 7 and 2-years-old, was awarded a 2004 Toyota Sienna. She lost her job two weeks before Christmas in 2018 and her car was later repossessed, causing extreme stress and transportation issues.

“This vehicle is a fresh start for me and my family,” says Kahn. “Whoever donated this van has no idea how much of a difference this will make for us.”

With her new vehicle, Kahn is excited to get to-and-from work at Carrabba’s in Pasadena without having to rely on rides from friends and family members. She is also happy to “pay it forward” to other families in need.

Kahn explains, “I plan to do as much as I can to help others get to where they need to go because I’ve been there and I understand what it’s like.”

Jenkins works as a customer service representative for Auto Plus Auto Parts in Crofton, a commute that could sometimes take up to two hours when taking the bus from her home in Brooklyn.

“It was hard to get to work on time,” says Jenkins. “Sometimes I would take Uber or Lyft rides to get from point A to point B, but that became too costly for me and my family. At one point, I was spending upwards of $160 per week on ride sharing apps.”

Now, with her 2010 Volkswagen Jetta, Jenkins’ commute has been cut down significantly to just twenty minutes. The vehicle also means a lot for her children, ages 9-years-old and 18-months-old.

“My son’s birthday is this weekend and he’s going to LOVE this car,” Jenkins says. “Soccer is his favorite sport, so now that I have a car it means he’ll be able to play again!”

Megan Jenkins, 31, of Baltimore City in the front seat of her “new” 2010 Volkswagen Jetta

“Each time we award vehicles to families, there’s a ton of emotion and excitement – both from our staff and those receiving cars,” says Martin Schwartz, president of Vehicles for Change. “It’s empowering to know we’re able to make such a massive impact in the lives of these families and to help them start their children’s school years off on the right foot.”

Vehicles for Change guarantees low interest car loans for the families of its program, which allows them to build credit. Vehicles awarded also carry a six-month/6,000 mile warranty, and additional repairs needed within one month of receiving a vehicle are done for free at the organization’s Full Circle Auto Repair & Training Center.

To donate a vehicle, make a monetary donation, or for more information about the nonprofit, visit www.vehiclesforchange.org or call 410-242-9674.