Lyft announced today that, in partnership with multiple nonprofit organizations across New Jersey and with the support of Representative Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), it will provide complimentary access to transportation for various groups across the Garden State needing assistance, including senior citizens, domestic violence survivors, military veterans, and others.
“It’s incredible to see different businesses throughout North Jersey, like Lyft and its employees, finding ways to support the non-profit organizations that are working hard to care for so many different populations in our community during this incredibly challenging time,” said U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “It’s encouraging to see so many families and businesses coming together to support those who are helping our seniors, veterans, and all those in need.”
The partnership is a LyftUp initiative, Lyft’s comprehensive effort to expand transportation access to those who need it most. The organizations partnering with Lyft throughout April are as follows:
- Atlantic Health System: Provide ride codes for essential patient appointments (ex: oncology, chemo, etc.) to the following medical centers: Morristown Medical Center, Hackettstown Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center, Chilton Medical Center. This frees up existing hospital funds to be used for COVID-19 and ensures patients who may not be able to transport themselves and may have lost transportation services due to COVID-19 are able to make their appointments.
- Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center: Provide ride codes to low income families in the county who still need to make it to essential appointments or are at risk of homelessness and still need to make it to apartment viewings.
- Bergen Volunteers: Provide ride codes to help staff run errands for most vulnerable community members and for seniors who require transportation to doctor’s visits.
- Community Food Bank: Provide ride codes to the Community Food Bank of NJ to use for the COVID-19 crisis.
- Family Promise: Provide ride codes in Union County to help families experiencing or at-risk of homelessness get to appointments and work.
- Fulfill | Monmouth & Ocean Food Bank:Provide ride codes for community members to pick up food.
- National Council on Aging (NCOA): Provide ride codes through NCOA’s network of 10 senior centers in Bergen County to provide a reliable way for caregivers of older adults to deliver needed food and supplies to homebound older loved ones during the outbreak.
- New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence Provide ride codes to help victims of domestic violence escape unsafe homes. These codes will facilitate rides for victims served by 30 organizations across New Jersey, including:
- Bergen County: Alternatives To Domestic Violence & Center For Hope And Safety
- Passaic County: Wafa House, Project S.A.R.A.H. & Passaic County Women’s Center
- Warren County: Domestic Abuse And Sexual Assault Intervention Services & Domestic Abuse and Sexual Crisis Center
- Samost Jewish Family & Children’s Service: Provide ride codes for seniors and military veterans to help them get to their essential medical appointments.
- Shoprite: Provide ride codes during senior shopping hours to participating ShopRite locations in Philadelphia and New Jersey.
Members of these communities will receive free ride codes at each organization’s discretion for rides to and from the participating destinations using the Lyft app.
Each of these New Jersey organizations are partnering with Lyft to ensure vulnerable populations are getting access to essential services in a reliable way. Nonprofits who need transportation support can apply for a LyftUp COVID-19 Community Grant.
“We have seen an increased need for transportation services for cancer treatment since the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Gilbert Baez, Manager, Oncology Support Services, Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic Health System. “The support offered by Lyft will fill a large service gap and facilitate the continuity of care for patients throughout the Atlantic Health System.”
“We are working together with our member programs and partners, like Lyft, to address the safety, health, and well-being of survivors of domestic violence across New Jersey,” said Pamela Jacobs, Executive Director, New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence. “COVID-19 has changed a great deal but what remains unchanged is our commitment to serve survivors and their children. Partnering with Lyft will help us make sure that survivors have the tools they need to get to safety.”
Recently, Lyft launched efforts in collaboration with public health entities, local governments, nonprofits and community organizations to create new opportunities for drivers, provide rides to those in need, and help distribute essential goods during the COVID-19 situation.
“We want to increase access to transportation for those who need it, particularly to meet their essential needs during this time,” said Mark Matero, Lyft General Manager of New Jersey. “By activating LyftUp, we’re able to partner with these amazing organizations to remove transportation barriers and fill mobility needs for members of our neighboring communities in the state of New Jersey. We’re also grateful to all those who drive with Lyft for helping provide rides for those in need during this time of uncertainty. Lyft will be supporting drivers by creating new opportunities to help them earn additional income through the Lyft app and continuously working to protect their safety.”
To make sure riders and drivers know the best ways to protect themselves and those around them, Lyft is providing continuous updates. To learn more about how else Lyft is supporting its community during this time, visit its blog.
