CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Governor Jim Justice and those with Jobs and Hope West Virginia making moves to address substance abuse.
Justice and Deb Harris, Lead Transition Agent with Jobs and Hope, announced two initiatives Wednesday during a press conference on the steps of the State Capitol Building.
Through Jobs and Hope WV, the “Get Paid to Pay it Forward” program is launching to offer transportation to those seeking help with substance abuse and have limited or no options for transportation.
The program will incentivize drivers for offering rides by paying them by the mile. Anyone can sign up, single trip or recurring rides will be offered and drivers have the ability to choose which rides they want to accept. The Governor encouraged those in recovery to apply which they can do so as contract workers through Modivcare.
“Jobs & Hope WV is doing an amazing job and really saving lives,” Justice said. “This is tough stuff, and we need everyone to step up and help.”
Justice compared the program to an Uber-like service. He said he believes even just one person is worth helping and perhaps saving.
“What is one life worth? he asked. “The people of West Virginia are worth it, so let the world know that we have this program available”
Deb Harris was happy to report the progress made already by Jobs and Hope West Virginia.
“Currently we have over 1,600 active program participants in the state,” Harris said. “We have helped employ over 4,000 individuals statewide and we have graduated 412 participants from our program.”
Transition agents like Harris working throughout the entire state have made a huge difference for those that partake in the program, according to Harris.
“Having those transition agents in place to help navigate the resources that are already available in the state is a huge deal to our participants and life-chang
ing often times,” she said.
The other initiative that was announced was the work of Good News Mountaineer Garage who has taken a huge step in helping those who have made their way out of recovery by actually giving them their own form of transportation.
Ronnie Wiles is Deputy Director with Good News Mountaineer Garage. He said on Wednesday they had just given away their 151st car to someone who’s overcome substance abuse. The car donation service is made possible through a partnership between Jobs & Hope WV and the garage.
According to Wiles, the garage will continue to supply free vehicles to those in need for the program. Jobs & Hope will also be providing vehicles for its members to use to take their driver’s license tests.