Yesterday, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03) and Brick Township Mayor Lisa Crate joined OCEAN, Inc. (NJ Community Action Agency) to celebrate the impact of Community Project Funding the Congressman secured to provide veterans transportation to medical and other appointments and spoke with a local veteran John Barone who utilizes the service to access care.
In 2023, Congressman Kim secured OCEAN, Inc. $55,000 in Community Project Funding to provide Ocean County veterans transportation to and from medical appointments at the VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Brick, New Jersey and to other appointments in the community through an EZ Ride System. It has since surpassed its goal of assisting 100 veterans, with 123 veterans enrolled in the program.
“We need to be working to break down any barrier veterans face to getting the care they need, said Congressman Andy Kim. "Transportation to appointments at the VA is an issue I’ve heard about from a lot of people and have been focused on addressing since I first came to Congress in 2019. I’m really proud to see this project funding delivering a solution to over 100 veterans in Ocean County. I’m working hard to build off this program’s assistance, the new VA clinic coming to Toms River, and deliver more direct help for our local veterans’ unique needs."
“I would like to thank Congressman Kim for securing the funding necessary to provide this invaluable service to our veterans,” said Brick Township Mayor Lisa Crate. “I would also like to thank Congressman Kim for his dedication to those who have served our nation and making sure they receive the care, resources and support they need and deserve.”
The ride program offers a solution to the many difficulties elderly and disabled veterans have when traveling to and from appointments and other activities. Expanding these services to older and disabled veterans honors their service and ensures they will be able to access the care they need through this quality EZ Ride transportation option.”
“I like the program,” said local veteran John Barone. “It allows me to get to my medical appointments since I do not have transportation.”
EZ Ride/Ryde4Life coordinates rides for OCEAN, Inc.'s clients under the Veterans Transportation Program in Ocean County, Senior Isolation Prevention Program in Ocean and Atlantic Counties, and AC Hope One Transportation Program in Atlantic and Cape May Counties. This collaboration significantly enhances mobility for the target population in these counties served by OCEAN, Inc. ensuring that seniors and veterans have access to critical services.
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