(1888PressRelease)
February 10, 2008 - New England – Hal Colston, founder of two successful anti-poverty programs, Good News Garage and Neighborkeepers, is profiled in the current issue (dated February 11, 2008) of People Magazine in their “Heroes Among Us” column. Good News Garage came to Connecticut in 2002 and in that time over 500 cars have been awarded to Connecticut families in need.
Good News Garage began in Burlington, Vermont in July 1996 and has been used as a national model for addressing the core causes of poverty by removing transportation barriers to employment. Good News Garage, a subsidiary of Lutheran Social Services of New England, accepts, repairs and awards donated cars to low-income individuals throughout New England.
In 2005, the University of Vermont and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development completed a study demonstrating Good News Garage is an effective tool for ending or reducing an individual’s need for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds. It also found that 90% of those who received a car felt more hopeful for a better future for themselves and their children.
Colston left Good News Garage in March 2004 to create Neighborkeepers. This new non-profit utilizes a national “Circles of Support” strategy to transition families out of poverty through community support. Each circle consists of a low-income family that has resolved to get out of poverty and a team of friends and “allies”, volunteers recruited from the community, who wrap around the family and offer their support and guidance. According to Colston, It works because it breaks the isolation of poverty. The average community participant has zero to two relationships in their life; allies have eight to ten.”
Colston believes his profile in People Magazine will help spread the word about this new anti-poverty approach as well as the importance of donating a car to Good News Garage, which as already proven successful. “Meaningful relationships based on trust and reciprocity is the foundation for success in family and community life. Our goal is to “do with” as opposed to “do for” people transitioning out of poverty. The ultimate goal is to change our community’s mindset about poverty. People just don’t wake up and choose to be poor,” says Colston.
To learn more about Good News Garage or to donate a car, truck or van visit www.GoodNewsGarage.org or call toll-free 1-877-GIVE-AUTO. The mission of Good News Garage is to create economic opportunity by providing affordable and reliable transportation options to people in need. All car donations are eligible for a tax deduction.
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