Expanding Northern VA Volunteer Driver System Helps Older Adults

After Kay Miner had a stroke six years ago, she could no longer drive. A Herndon resident, she turned to Herndon Village Network and its volunteer drivers to help her get to medical appointments and visits with her mother, who lives in a retirement community.

And that’s how she met Beth Prester, a 70-year-old retired publishing executive, who became not just her favorite volunteer driver, but a close friend. Prester makes Miner laugh and reminds her that life is interesting.

“Beth and I talk and laugh about current news, family events, pre-retirement jobs, and more,” says Miner, 70. “I love her stories about having lived in the Congo, Madagascar, and other countries. Where else can I learn so much in one short ride?”

Older adults who can no longer drive often find themselves isolated and stranded. Volunteer driving programs, such as Herndon Village Network, help adults aging in place achieve independence by meeting at least some of their transportation needs. More than a dozen volunteer driver programs in Northern Virginia provide older adults with rides to doctors’ appointments and other places, conversation and gentle assistance. And sometimes rides develop into deep friendships.

“Beth has been my lifesaver,” says Miner.

Northern Virginia is leading the country in its organized approach to volunteer driving for adults aging in place. NV Rides, which is celebrating its fifth birthday, coordinates a network of 13 local partner organizations, including Herndon Village Network.

"The NV Rides approach addresses one of the many increasing challenges that adults face as they age: access to affordable and reliable transportation, said Jennifer Kanarek, manager of NV Rides. “The program was created in a truly collaborative spirit by bringing together local government, community-based organizations and non-profits to help seniors stay in their homes, or ‘age in place.’”

In 2014 Fairfax County, recognizing that lack of transportation was one of the leading challenges facing adults aging in place, came up with a solution: NV Rides. The Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia agreed to provide the home for NV Rides, which was tasked with supporting and expanding a network of volunteer driving programs. NV Rides provides ride scheduling software, marketing support, volunteer coordinator support and background checks to its partner organizations.

NV Rides’ outreach has resulted in partnerships with volunteer programs in Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William Counties, along with the City of Alexandria. In 2018 alone, NV Rides’ partner organizations gave more than 12,000 volunteer rides to more than 500 older adults.

Miner, Prester and other volunteer drivers and clients will also be attending NV Rides’ Fifth Birthday Party, to be held Friday, Oct. 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike in Fairfax. Members of the public are welcomed to attend. Please call 703-537-3070 to RSVP.