A Florida woman’s perseverance through transportation challenges has led to a life-changing moment, as she received a newly refurbished vehicle through the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program.
Susan Sawczuk, who has faced barriers in securing stable employment and continuing her education due to a lack of reliable transportation, was presented with a 2019 Nissan Sentra S on Feb. 4. The vehicle was donated by GEICO and refurbished by Lakeland Collision Center, a division of Lakeland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
Sawczuk has remained steadfast in her commitment to personal and professional growth, consistently attending the Jobs Partnership LifeWorks class despite her transportation challenges. With a dependable vehicle, she will now have access to a broader job market, allowing her to seek positions that align with her career aspirations in radiological health services.
“Susan no longer has to consider career and volunteer opportunities based on her transportation barrier,” said Karl Allen, director of Partnerships at Jobs Partnership. “Now she can consider them based on the purpose God has for the work she does.”
Sawczuk was nominated for the program by Jobs Partnership, an organization dedicated to helping individuals gain meaningful employment. She is close to completing her associate’s degree and hopes to advance in the healthcare field.
The NABC Recycled Rides program has been donating refurbished vehicles to individuals and families in need since 2007. Through collaborations with insurance companies, collision repair businesses and charitable organizations, the program has provided more than 3,500 vehicles, valued at approximately $51 million.
Additional partners involved in Sawczuk’s vehicle donation included Cars for Charity, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and Enterprise.
