RIDE TO WORK ANDERSON IS CURRENTLY ON A WAITLIST. PLEASE STILL APPLY IF YOU THINK YOU QUALIFY AS THE WAITLIST STATUS COULD CHANGE DAILY.
STARTING MARCH 1, 2023 RIDE TO WORK ANDERSON WILL ONLY BE PARTICAPATING IN ANDERSON ZIP CODES (29621, 29622, 29624, 29625, 29626)
Ride To Work Anderson (RTWA) is a ministry of South Main Chapel & Mercy Center that offers affordable transportation to and from work. Our definition of affordable is $5 per day for a ride to and from work. We will work with licensed transportation providers to schedule rides as needed. But more than a simple transportation program, RTWA is focused on helping individuals succeed through coaching and mentoring as part of the process. We help people establish a personal budget and action plan to achieve specific objectives related to their job. Our prayer is for each individual to be effective at work while growing in their faith as a Christ-follower.
The process begins with the individual filling out an Online application for RTWA. Our preference is to complete the online application
After we receive an application, our team meets to review the details to decide if the individual is a match for our ministry. Part of our review is to make sure we are a good fit for the individual and if we have the capacity to support the transportation needs. We will call the individual to let them know whether or not they have been accepted into RTWA.
Once the application is accepted, the RTWA coach will set up an in-person interview. During this interview, the applicant will be asked to sign two important documents:
In addition, the coach will work with the applicant to develop a personal budget and action plan. Here are some examples of action plans (link). We want each participant to succeed! Each step in this process is designed to help move in this direction.
Once the individual is accepted into RTWA, they will be required to deposit $5 per day by Thursday before their first week of rides to work. The deposit will be in cash or check made out to South Main Chapel & Mercy Center with a memo that includes RTWA. The RTWA scheduler will then setup appropriate transportation for the coming week.
Our goal is for each individual to succeed! Success for Ride To Work Anderson is defined as a rider that is able to keep their job and find their own way to work. There are a number of ways to do this:
- Acquire their own transportation (i.e., car or moped)
- Find a carpool/rideshare with co-workers
- Move close enough to walk to work
- Be able to take the bus (change jobs work hours, change jobs, move to bus route)
While we want the rider to make changes in their life to be successful for the long term and work with them to do that, our involvement officially ends when they’ve met the above goal.
To qualify for RTWA you must live and work in Anderson County, have a working phone and phone number that belongs to you with access to at all times (not a wifi number), and be at least 18 years old.