NIAGARA BRANCH Transportation Programs Volunteer Transportation Passage Home

1. NIAGARA BRANCH Transportation Programs Volunteer Transportation Passage Home Niagara Specialized Transit Aging @ Home Transportation – Port Colborne/Fort Erie and Grimsby Non-Accessible Vans Fort Erie Accessible Specialized Transportation – F.A.S.T. ((

2. What Defines Us...... Our Mission To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world. Fundamental Principles • Humanity • Impartiality • Neutrality • Independence • Voluntary Service • Unity • Universality

3. In Our Community.... ... We Are There • With the tireless support and commitment from our Volunteers and Staff, we assist the most vulnerable members of our community by providing the following services: • Transportation • Traditional Volunteer Based – LHIN Funded • Aging At Home Programs – LHIN Funded • Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles – LHIN, Regional and Municipal Funders • Red Cross in Niagara also offers: • Home Care • First Aid Training • Disaster Management • International and Youth Services

4. Who We Support • Our programs cater to people of all walks of life and age groups, with a strong focus on the most vulnerable members of society, including: • Frail Elderly • Physically Challenged • Developmentally Challenged • Individuals with Acute/Chronic Health Concerns • Our services have eligibility guidelines to ensure equitable service for all. • Senior Citizen (55 or older) or those with an age enhancing illness (COPD, diabetes). • Physical or Mental disability which hinders an individuals’ ability to complete activities (doctors visits, shopping, etc)

5. Our Service Area • St. Catharines/Thorold • Niagara Falls • Grimsby/Lincoln • Welland/Pelham • Port Colborne • Fort Erie • We provide transportation to communities throughout the Niagara region. • Transportation is also provided outside of the Niagara region to destinations like Hamilton, Toronto and London.

6. Transportation Services • Our programs offer eligible clients assistance with travel to adult day programs, hospitals, doctors’ appointments, shopping or other activities related to health and wellbeing • Services are provided, by trained and dedicated volunteers in their own vehicles as well as by Red Cross drivers in our fleet. • We are committed to providing safe, cost-efficient and reliable transportation that caters to our clients needs, including wheelchair accessibility. • Niagara Highlights • Combined transportation programs provided over 46,077 rides to 2,367 residents of the Niagara region last year. • Approximately 131rides per day • F.A.S.T. program provided 10,840 trips to 422 residents of the greater Fort Erie area last year. Fort Erie Accessible Specialized Transportation – F.A.S.T. Launched July 3, 2007 Partnerships between The Canadian Red Cross and the Town of Fort Erie

7. Partnering for Success – CRC and the Town of Fort Erie • In 2007, the Canadian Red Cross partnered with the Town of Town of Fort Erie to operate it’s existing Fort Erie Mobile Services transportation program. The name was changed to the Fort Erie Accessible Specialized Transportation or F.A.S.T. The service is for seniors and those with physical and/or cognitive disabilities and operates within the municipal boundaries of the greater Town of Fort Erie inclusive of Crystal Beach, Ridgeway, Stevensville and Black Creek . • In 2009, the Red Cross and the Town of Fort Erie partnered with the HNHB LHIN and Port Cares to access funding from the LHIN’s Aging at Home Initiatives and purchase a new Dodge Sprinter for the F.A.S.T. Program. • The service operates Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. Clients pay a $2 fare for each one way trip they take.

8. Partnering for Success – CRC and the Town of Fort Erie - F.A.S.T. Total units of Service 2007-2010

9. Partnering for Success – CRC and the Town of Fort Erie Through this partnership, we currently have 2 vehicles serving the residents of greater Town of Fort Erie: The F.A.S.T. service provided 25% of all transportation rides provided by the Niagara Branch last year. Drivers receive standardized training in emergency first aid, infection control, daily vehicle inspection, AODA customer service, Q’straint mobility aid securement to name a few. Red Cross will be going through an accreditation process in 2012 and our transportation programs will be included in that process.

10. Benefits to Clients • 83% of clients surveyed report increased opportunities for independence. Clients no longer feel obligated to others for assistance in getting around. • 98% improved quality of life/social interaction and decreased feelings of isolation. Clients use the service to keep connected to their communities. They access the service independently or in groups i.e., “the bingo ladies”. • Our drivers become advocates for the clients they provide service to. They report to the office when they think a clients is at risk. Emergency contacts are required at the time of registration for service and in collaboration with our community partners i.e., Niagara Gatekeepers, every effort is made to make sure the clients safety and well being is maintained.

11. Our Staff.... • Transportation Drivers • We have 61 experienced volunteer drivers in the Niagara office. Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles or driver Red Cross vehicles. • 22 staff drivers, 2 of which drive for the Fort Erie Accessible Specialized Transportation Program. • 5 dispatchers who register clients, take trip requests, schedule the trips, and answer all client and community partner calls. 1 dispatcher is designated to the F.A.S.T. program. • 1 Supervisor • 1 Assistant Manager

12. Questions?