Without reliable transportation, Amber couldn’t search for a better job to better support her family. But that changed on Wednesday, October 2 when she was gifted a vehicle through the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides Program and the Goodwill Cars to Work Program.
Amber, who was selected by the Cars to Work Program to receive the vehicle, was gifted a like-new Kia sedan that was donated by Geico and refurbished by the Louisville Collision Center. It’s the fifth vehicle gifted through the Recycled Rides Program in nine years.
Amber, a mother of six, is in recovery and missed much of her older kids’ lives due to substance use disorder. She said this new car will allow her to connect with them more.
“It’s going to make life so much easier,” she said. “Grocery shopping, taking the kids to school, going to work, getting down (to Breckenridge County) to see my oldest kids – that’s the biggest thing.”
Amber was introduced to the Cars to Work Program after completing the Power of Work Program at Goodwill. Once she enrolled, she began to complete the prep work, which included budgeting and financial literacy.
“Budgeting is the most important thing, for sure,” she said. “You just have to get up and do what you have to do, every day, to get where you’re going. That budgeting – it was a huge part of my life. Because I couldn’t budget; I liked to spend money.”
Amber still keeps in touch with her Power of Work career coach two years after graduating from the program, and she said she plans to keep in touch with the Cars to Work Program even after receiving her vehicle. She said Goodwill has been one of her biggest support systems.
“They have your back, no matter what,” she said.