The SOURCE has been awarded a two-year, $40,000 grant to pilot a new transportation program, Ways to Wheels, in partnership with AAC Credit Union. With this grant, the SOURCE will provide matching dollars alongside employees and employers, to be used toward a vehicle purchase. AAC Credit Union is offering a special loan to support vehicle purchases, which includes built-in savings to be used toward insurance and maintenance costs. Transportation- related barriers are always among the top issues the SOURCE works to address with our clients—in 2023, 35% of our clients sought transportation-related assistance, second only to housing. There are vehicle purchase programs available in other parts of the country, but none in the Grand Rapids area. Research shows that owning a vehicle increases the probability of employment by more than 30%. We are incredibly grateful for the Wege Foundation’s support, and we are excited to bring innovative solutions like Ways to Wheels to even more of our client’s and employer partners as we move forward together.