Ride To Work Ministry Nonprofit Inc. is going strong in Oconee County. This local non-profit provides low cost temporary rides to/from work until someone can find their own transportation. Ride To Work has already provided over 1750 rides to or from work in 2024 and has completed over 16,000 rides since starting operations in 2017! Ride To Work has provided rides to 360 riders over the past 7 years, about half of whom have graduated, meaning they kept their job and found their own way to work.
About 10 volunteers do all the work of ride scheduling and client mentoring. Actual rides are provided by a local car service (which gives a volume discount on prices) or by UBER. Riders pay $5 to $10 per day for the rides depending on distance, which cost between $25 and $60 per day depending on rider and work location. Ride To Work covers the difference in cost, through donations.
There continues to be a steady need for this ministry and Ride To Work typically provides rides for between five and ten riders at any given time. We are limited on how many riders we can handle by the number of volunteers, since each volunteer mentors a client. Volunteer mentors coordinate the client’s work schedule with the drivers, help the client work out a credible success plan for their own transportation and help clients make good life choices.
Many Ride To Work riders start out at Our Daily Rest Homeless shelter needing help to get to work once they find a job. Other riders are referred by local employers, temp agencies, SC Vocational Rehab, churches or other local non-profits. All riders are required to have a talk/text phone, pay $5/$10 per day for rides for the upcoming week, keep their job and show up on time for rides, and make good progress on their success plan.
Anyone wishing to donate or volunteer as a mentor please go to the “Want To Help Us” section of this website. Also, the Car Service that provides the rides needs drivers and pays $10 per hour plus tips for part time or full time work (cars are provided). Anyone with a good driving record can apply and training will be provided. If interested in driving please call 864-533-5184.