Career Pathways Partnerships That Work: Vehicles for Change

A recent Baltimore Sun article about a local auto shop owner who donated his $2.5 million business to the nonprofit, Vehicles for Change (VFC), highlights a partnership that is truly working to benefit adult learners, local businesses, and their communities.

VFC receives car donations from the public, and repairs those that meet quality standards and awards them for as little as $750 to eligible families, referred by social service agencies. Since 1999, VFC has awarded 5,400 cars to low-income families, of which 75% got better jobs and/or boosted their earnings an average of $7,000 within the first year, according to a 2011 study of the organization's outcomes.

VFC's Center for Automotive Careers (CAC) also trains low-income adults in automotive services. The CAC program has two training components: auto detailing and automotive repair. CAC training is currently only available at the VFC headquarters in Baltimore, but is planning to expand the program to Detroit in the near future. 

According to the Sun article, VFC plans to use the garage as a starter program for its automotive training program for former inmates.

"Ninety-five percent of them have come directly out of prisons to us," according to Martin Schwartz, VFC's president. "We go into the prison system quarterly and we identify those guys that are ready to come out and are recommended."  The 18-month-old training program has placed 30 graduates into jobs. Another 14 are still in training, working 40 hours per week and receiving $8.50 an hour during their training.

One success story is Eduard Baxter, 29, who was released from prison after serving three years for a theft conviction. He said the training program "was like a jump start for my life, the way you jump start a car."  Baxter completed his training last year and now works at a Mazda dealership near Baltimore.

"There is definitely a shortage of qualified people in almost every aspect of this industry," Schwartz said. "There is an opportunity here for trained people."

What are the partnerships that are working for learners and employers in your communities?  Share their successes with us here!

Mike Cruse

Career Pathways Moderator

michaelcruse74@gmail.com