Yorkville, IL (July 2016)- The Voluntary Action Center (VAC) is pleased to announce it was approved for an $8,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley on behalf of the Kendall Area Transit (KAT) program. These funds will help towards the purchase of para-transit scheduling and routing software and equipment.
VAC’s goal is to provide safe and reliable transportation to the residents of Kendall County. The purchase and implementation of the software and equipment will assist VAC in providing more KAT rides to the residents of Kendall County, as well as increase the number of riders that may call and be scheduled at a time.
“The scheduling/dispatch center is the heart of the KAT operation”, said KAT Program Director Mike Neuenkirchen. “With the help of this type of technology, our operation will be streamlined, which allows for faster and more efficient routing of our vehicles.” “VAC has been very successful in raising local match for KAT. This is great news for the program,” said Kendall County Administrator Jeff Wilkins.
VAC is a non-profit organization based out of Sycamore, IL that had been providing community transportation services in DeKalb County for over 40 years. In 2009, Kendall County chose to partner with VAC to operate KAT. VAC began operating the KAT program in March 2010. In its first year of service VAC provided over 4,500 KAT rides to Kendall County residents. Since opening in 2010, KAT has seen a substantial growth and is slated to give over 30,000 rides in 2016. There has been an increase in ridership of 508% in the short six year of KAT’s opening.
Given the challenges of State funding over the last year, VAC is trying to diversify its funding sources. “We are very grateful to the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley for supporting us in our acquisition of software,” stated Neuenkirchen. “Without the Community Foundation’s assistance in this, we would not have been able to secure this critical tool. I am proud to have them as a partner in the growth of the KAT program.”
“We are proud to recognize the great work that KAT and so many other agencies do throughout our community. It is our privilege to be their partner in providing transportation to residents throughout Kendall County, a service that is in great need,” said Jeff Hartman, President & CEO Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley.
About Voluntary Action Center
The Mission of the Voluntary Action Center is commitment to providing high quality services that address the basic transportation and nutrition needs of our community. VAC was incorporated in 1974. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of representatives throughout the communities we serve. Voluntary Action Center has community transportation and nutrition programs that serve DeKalb, LaSalle, Putnam, Bureau and Kendall Counties. For more information please visit our website www.vacdk.com.
About Kendall Area Transit
Kendall Area Transit, the community and public transportation program of Kendall County, is a transportation partnership between the Kendall County communities and the Voluntary Action Center. KAT is a transit service that is intended to be safe, reliable, flexible, and financially sustainable, while satisfying the various mobility needs of seniors, individuals with disabilities, and the general public throughout Kendall County. KAT is made possible through various federal and state grants, in addition to contributions and donations from local municipalities, businesses, community partners, and residents.
About Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley
The Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley is a non-profit, tax-exempt, philanthropic organization that administers individual charitable funds from which grants and scholarships are distributed to benefit the citizens of the Greater Aurora Area, the TriCities and Kendall County, Illinois. Founded in 1948, the Foundation provides a simple and powerful approach to charitable giving. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations have the opportunity to custom design their own named funds that reflect their charitable goals and interests. Since its inception, the Community Foundation has grown to more than $75 million in assets and has awarded more than $60 million in grants and scholarships. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.CommunityFoundationFRV.org.
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As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, I was worried about how I was going to pay for books and supplies. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on my studies instead of worrying about how to afford college. I am working to not only create opportunities for myself but to motivate future generations. Thank you so much for helping me along this journey!
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