Bucks County Opportunity Council Donates 100th Wheelz2Work Car

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) has received its 100th donated Wheelz2Work vehicle and handed the keys over to Amber, a participant of the Economic Self-sufficiency (ES) Program.

“This means so much to me! I’m in school and this car will help me get to my classes, work, and get my kids to and from their activities,” said Amber as she was handed the keys. “I’m so excited to have my own car! Thank you so much BCOC and Becky!”

The Hyundai Sonata was donated by Becky Logue-Conroy, MSW, PhD., who used this car to get to and from school while she was studying for her master’s and PhD in Social Work. This car was a life saver as she furthered her career and expanded her family.

“I’m so proud to be able to provide a local family with the same opportunity that this car gave me,” says Becky Logue-Conroy. “I’m honored to have been able to meet Amber and to know that this vehicle will make all the difference as she continues to further her career.”

Becky knows firsthand how impactful it is to someone’s quality of life when they have access to transportation. Bucks County has very limited public transportation and BCOC is the only agency in this region that directly provides vehicles to local families, so donating a car has a significant, direct impact on our Bucks County neighbors in need.

Becky, donor of the vehicle hugging the new owner, Amber.

“I encourage others who might have a vehicle to consider donating to the Wheelz2Work program to have a direct impact on your local community,” Becky continues.

Wheelz2Work is operated by BCOC, in partnership with Bucks County Community College and the Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund and support from Univest Financial.

Vehicles that are donated to BCOC are then given to low-income families enrolled in BCOC’s Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program who need safe, reliable private transportation for work or school. BCOC works with local mechanics like BBack Car Care in Doylestown to ensure the vehicles are safe and pass inspection.

“At Univest, we understand that having access to a reliable vehicle presents so many opportunities on the road to self-sufficiency,” says Betsy Roush, Community Relations Manager for Univest Financial Corporation. “We are proud to be long-time supporters of the Bucks County Opportunity Council and it’s Wheelz2Work program. Congratulations to BCOC on the 100th car and to Amber on her journey to self-sufficiency.”

The Wheelz2Work and the Economic Self-Sufficiency program change lives for those who have been derailed from pursuing additional training, job interviews or have been unable to apply for higher paying jobs at a greater distance from home because of unsafe or unreliable transportation.

Since the inception of Wheelz2Work has changed over 500 lives. There are approximately 20 families currently awaiting a vehicle through the program.

In front, from left, are: Jake Iampietro, SVP, Retail Banking Director, Penn Community Bank and BCOC Board of Directors; Christina McGinley, Executive Director of Bucks County Community College Foundation and Alumni Relations and BCOC Board of Directors; Heather Foor, Bucks County Opportunity Council Director of Client Services; Becky Logue-Conroy, MSW, Ph.D. and Donor of the 100th vehicle; Erin Lukoss, Bucks County Opportunity Council’s Executive Director/CEO; Amber, recipient of 100th Wheelz2Work car; and Eileen Hartnett-Albillar, Bucks County Opportunity Council’s Director of Community Engagement. In back, from left, are Cord Fischer and Peter Blackmore, Corporate Banking Relationship Managers, Univest Bank and Trust Co.; Tobias Bruhn, Ed.D., CFRE, Foundations Community Partnership and BCOC Board of Directors; Betsy Roush, Community Relations Manager, Univest Financial Corporation; and Jim Dacey, Doli Construction and BCOC Board of Directors.

"It is an honor knowing we have directly impacted 100 families through the Wheelz2Work program,” says Erin Lukoss, CEO of BCOC. “This program changes lives, one vehicle at a time. We are just getting started, and I am already thinking about our next 100 cars! Thank you to the community for the incredible support as strive for economic mobility for Bucks County families with low income.”

As the lead anti-poverty, 501(c)(3) non-profit agency in Bucks County, the mission of BCOC is to reduce poverty, and partner with our community to promote economic self-sufficiency. BCOC is a member of the nationwide Community Action network, the authority on addressing poverty

in our communities.

For over 57 years, BCOC has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.

For details on how to participate in the Wheelz2Work Program, visit wheelz2work.com or contact
Eileen Hartnett Albillar at BCOC, 215-345-8175, ext. 209 or email ealbillar@bcoc.org.