Vehicles for Change to Award 5,000th Car in Ceremony

Baltimore-area nonprofit Vehicles for Change will award its 5,000th car in a special celebration on Oct. 1 at the organization’s headquarters in Halethorpe.

Founded in 1999 on the mission to empower families with financial challenges to achieve economic and personal independence through car ownership and technical training, VFC has impacted the lives of more than 16,450 individuals in the Maryland, Washington, D.C. Virginia, and recently, Detroit, areas through its car award program. The 5,000 cars awarded through VFC’s program have helped these individuals and their families achieve greater economic success, with 75 percent reporting having secured better jobs and/or increased earnings.

“For us here at VFC, it is not about the 5,000 cars, but the nearly 20,000 individuals whose lives have been changed,” said VFC President Marty Schwartz. “VFC has an incredible team who have dedicated themselves to impacting the lives of those who struggle with normal daily functions like getting to work, day care and grocery stores. The impact of a car on a family is amazing and we feel extremely blessed to have touched so many.”

The 5,000th car, a 2003 Toyota Highlander, will be awarded to Marvin Chapman through VFC’s partnership with ABC Baltimore’s Project JumpStart, which trains low-income city residents to enter the building trade and advance beyond the entry-level. Chapman, 44 of Baltimore, is currently in a four-year carpenter’s apprentice training program after struggling with health issues in the past that prevented him from maintaining steady work. This vehicle will enable him to get to and from classes in Dundalk, maintain a career in carpentry upon graduation, and take care of his six children.

“The Maryland Department of Labor is focused on fostering economic growth and getting more Marylanders jobs,” said Secretary of the Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation Kelly M. Schulz. “Vehicles for Change supports this effort by empowering families through car ownership and also providing technical training to unemployed and underemployed individuals so that they can maintain jobs and get a fresh start.”

Event Agenda
8:30 to 8:45 a.m. – Breakfast and networking
8:45 to 8:50 a.m. – Welcome and keynote introduction by VFC President Marty Schwartz
8:50 to 9:00 a.m. – Keynote by Kelly Schulz, Secretary of DLLR
9:00 to 9:05 a.m. – Remarks by Mike Henderson, President of ABC Baltimore
9:05 to 9:10 a.m. – Video presentation
9:10 to 9:15 a.m. – Car award and recipient remarks
9:15 to 9:20 a.m. – Closing remarks

Marty Schwartz, VFC President; Mike Henderson, ABC Baltimore President; and Marvin Chapman, vehicle recipient, will be available for media interview following the ceremony. Please direct all media inquiries and requests to Josie Hankey at 410-420-2001 or by email at josie.hankey@fallstongroup. To view photos and posts from the event, explore the event hashtag “#5000more.”