Darien Foundation Awards $82.8K Grant To At Home In Darien

DARIEN, CT — At Home In Darien, a local nonprofit organization that offers help to seniors and disabled residents, recently used an $82.8K grant from The Darien Foundation to purchase a handicap-accessible "supervan."

According to a news release, At Home In Darien offers grocery shopping, household and errand services and free, safe transportation to over 500 seniors and disabled residents, as well as an estimated 4,000 rides annually. The service also allows many older Darien residents to avoid isolation by safely transporting them to and from their desired destinations.

The state-of-the-art Toyota Sienna Hybrid Wheelchair Accessible Van from BraunAbility will provide seniors and other community members with a safer, more secure ride.

The van is the second vehicle The Darien Foundation has funded for AHID. The foundation also provided a $46,700 grant in 2015 for a custom Chrysler 300 sedan and for tracking and other technology to support the program, according to The Darien Foundation.

The new 2021 accessible "supervan" was carefully researched by the AHID team. The van will add to the options available to residents and is outfitted with the latest in handicap technology features, including a side vs. rear entry ramp, which "kneels down," to offer a moderate incline with which to load a wheelchair.

The side ramp also allows passengers dependent upon walkers or other mobility aids, such as, canes, and crutches, to enter the vehicle using these devices and then be safely seated, stowing the device nearby, according to the foundation.

The van also has a ratcheting system, where a wheelchair can be securely attached in the center (vs. rear) of the vehicle. There is ample seating space for an accompanying caregiver to sit adjacent to the passenger.

Additionally, the vehicle's interior has adequate height so that the driver can fully stand up, allowing greater leverage with which to maneuver and secure the wheelchair, according to the foundation.

"We are incredibly grateful to The Darien Foundation for this amazing new van and for their continued support and generosity," At Home In Darien Executive Director Gina Blum said in a news release. "Not only does the new van have the latest features, which will provide a more comfortable ride for our disabled residents and seniors, it is also a hybrid/fuel-efficient model that is attractive and discreet so that passengers may ride with dignity."

Blum also noted transportation is one of the biggest hindrances people face as they try to retain their independence, and the van will enable the organization to help even more people throughout the community.

"Darien is enriched by being a multigenerational community," The Darien Foundation Executive Director Sarah Woodberry said in a news release. "We are thrilled to partner with AHID again to support this initiative to benefit seniors and special needs residents in Darien. At Home In Darien has been a lifeline for many in our community, especially during the [coronavirus] pandemic."

Blum noted the new van is easy to reserve by simply calling the AHID phone number.

"We hope that more residents reach out to us," Blum said, "so that they can stay connected to the community, and access safe transportation through our friendly, professional drivers."