Non-profit gifts cars to local families

SALISBURY, Md. – Two Eastern Shore families received the keys to a new chapter thanks to Vehicles for Change Delmarva. It’s all part of the nonprofit’s Lower Eastern Shore campaign, a community effort to turn donated cars into opportunities for local families.

Vehicles for Change was founded in 1999 with the mission of providing reliable transportation for families in need.

“We’ve awarded more than 8,200 cars to families since then. We’re the largest low-income car ownership program in the country. Today, we awarded two more cars to families here on the shore, which was very exciting,” said Vehicles for Change President Martin Schwartz.

Through the non-profit’s Full Circle Training Program, formerly incarcerated individuals are trained to become certified automotive technicians. Interns learn using virtual reality and gain hands-on experience working on donated cars.

“It allows them to go into the automotive world inside the garage and learn the trade from a beginner’s standpoint, without any safety risks because you’re in the virtual world,” instructor Caesar Savage said.

Students are also taught essential skills like financial literacy, interviewing, and resume building.

“We try to retrain the mind to be able to get your studies in, get to your resources, and then do your job the right way,” Savage said.

Vehicles for Change hopes to get another 30 to 40 cars donated, repaired, and gifted on the Eastern Shore.

“This is the first time these cars were donated from the Eastern Shore. The students repaired them under the guidance of our instructor, and they’re being awarded to people right here on the Eastern Shore,” Program Director Gary Mitchell said.

Interested in donating a car and supporting Vehicles for Change? Visit vehiclesforchange.org.