Friends Helping Friends!
Maintain......
the independance of seniors, persons with disabilities and truly needy.

Promote.......
community involvement.

Complement.........
existing transportation options.

Try Desert RoadTRIP today!
Call (760) 922-1140, 1 (800) COMMUTE or TDD/TTY, 711 for more details or information.

What is Desert RoadTRIP? How does it work?
Desert RoadTRIP is short for the Desert Road Transportation Reimbursement and Information Project. Desert RoadTRIP is an award winning, nationally acclaimed, social transportation program that compliments fixed route and special public transportation services in eastern Riverside County, California.

Two of the biggest problems facing the frail elderly and persons with disabilities often are the receipt of adequate and necessary medical information and services and, related to that, transportation to medical providers to receive those services, as well as transportation to meet other subsistence and quality of life needs.

First, Desert RoadTRIP provides information on the availability of public transportation everywhere in Riverside County through a single toll-free phone call to the Riverside County Office on Aging HelpLink at 1-800-510-2020 or by calling Desert Roadrunner locally at (760) 922-1140 or 1 (800) COMMUTE. HelpLink's Services Specialists discuss transportation needs with callers, make referrals to providers who can assist them, send out brochures, route schedules, and referral to the American for Disabilities Act paratransit certification process of Desert Roadrunner Dial-A-Ride, SunDial or RTA Dial-A-Ride if appropriate.

If HelpLink thinks a caller may be eligible for special social transportation assistance, a referral is made to the Desert RoadTRIP volunteer escort transportation service.

If you or you of know a senior, person that is truly needy or person with a disability, who Desert RoadTRIP could help by getting them transportation that they are not currently receiving, and they live in the Palo Verde Valley of eastern Riverside County, California, have them call Desert Roadrunner at (760) 922-1140 or 1 (800) COMMUTE. They will be asked a few questions and, if they qualify for consideration, an application will be sent to them to complete and return. Verification of disability by a physician may also be required.

Become a Desert RoadTRIP volunteer!
It's simple. You can help eliminate transportation poverty on the streets of our community! Volunteer to represent your church or organization to help someone in your community get to the store or doctor. There are many people around who are alone and unable to meet even their most basic needs because they cannot drive, or ride the bus, or even use special services like Dial-A-Ride -- and they don't have family or friends to help either. They are alone and in need. A helping hand from you will make a huge difference in their lives!

Here are the benefits:

For starters, volunteers for the Desert RoadTRIP program receive a monthly expense reimbursement of up to for each person they help - tax free so it doesn't affect anyone's tax or other benefit status in any way ! And, if you don't need or want the reimbursement money, it can be a donation to your church or other organization.

No risk either! Once registered, volunteers are covered by 1 million dollars of insurance for any liability that might result from their volunteer escort and driving activities (at no charge to them or their organization).

Then, of course, there is the special joy that comes from really being able to do something good and helpful. Here's what some of those who are currently being helped have to say about their Desert RoadTRIP experience:

"I no longer need to be concerned about getting to doctors, shopping and personal errands thanks to Desert RoadTRIP. I am very grateful for the service."

"Your Desert RoadTRIP service is a God send - without Desert RoadTRIP my life would be very different. Thank you."

"My heart goes out to all of you knowing I can take care of my health. Bless all of you for your kindness and caring."

The non-profit Partnership to Preserve Independent Living for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities and the Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency has jointly operated Desert RoadTRIP in the Palo Verde Valley, eastern Riverside County since 1995 -- helping thousands live more productive and healthy lives! Ask your organization to join with the Partnership to help return mobility to those people in your community who need you to help them continue to live independently!

For more information about how your organization can become involved today, email:paloverdebus@yahoo.com call the Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency at (760) 922-4900 or call 1-800-510-2020 (toll free from anywhere in Riverside County) and ask for "TRIP"!

Visit The Partnership to Preserve Indepedent Living for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities website at:
http://www.vitalco.net
or
http://www.livingpartnerships.org