12 Non-Profits to Provide 26,000 Local Trips Thanks to Van GO Program

Twelve non-profit groups from Mountlake Terrace to Stanwood will provide more than 26,000 trips to foster children, the homeless, disabled veterans, low-income residents and more thanks to Community Transit’s Van GO program.

This year, 19 groups submitted applications demonstrating how they would use the vehicles to benefit people in their community. In all, 12 non-profit organizations throughout Snohomish County will be able to provide trips to their community members thanks to retired vanpool vans they received in a competitive grant process from Community Transit. 

“This program provides thousands of trips for people in the community who may have a hard time getting where they need to go,” said Community Transit CEO Emmett Heath. “These community organizations really know the needs in their neighborhoods, so if we provide them a vehicle, they can do a lot of good. We are proud to be partners with these community service organizations.”

This year’s Van GO recipients include Catholic Community Services (Lynnwood), Community Resource Foundation (Stanwood), First Baptist Church (Mountlake Terrace), Girl Scout Daisy Troop #50529 (Mountlake Terrace), Goodwill Industries (Everett), Housing Hope (Snohomish County), Mountlake Terrace Senior Center (Mountlake Terrace), Park Ridge Community Church (Bothell), Seattle Area Youth for Christ (Monroe), Senior Services of Snohomish County (Snohomish County), Village Community Services (North Snohomish County) and Young Life Capernaum Snohomish County (Snohomish County).

Employees at the Everett Outlet Goodwill who have trouble getting to and from work now have a better option. “This van will reduce stress to our employees, get them to work on time, and not have to worry about parking,” said Goodwill Everett Outlet General Manager Alex Smith.

Some organizations will now be able to provide transportation to those who can’t transport themselves. “We specifically work with teens that don’t drive. This van will give our kids a chance to go on adventures with their friends,” said Aimee Dunbar of Young Life Capernaum Snohomish County.