The team at Porter County Aging and Community Services marked another year of impacting the community while looking toward improving their ride scheduling system.
“It was a challenging year for everyone in one way or another,” said PCACS Executive Director Bruce Lindner. “We are honored to have continued our programs amidst the challenges of COVID - whether that was adjusting policies to continue our transportation services or offering options for those applying for Energy Assistance.”
During a virtual annual meeting, the PCACS staff highlighted how their key programs helped community members.
The transportation program is door-to-door and helps seniors and the disabled get to doctors’ appointments and to run errands. In the last year, PCACS bus drivers logged 98,810 passenger miles, had an average of 56 trips per day and welcomed 198 new clients.
“Our drivers are essential to helping our clients accomplish everyday tasks,” Lindner said. “We feel we are going to be able to serve our riders at a higher level through a new scheduling service.”
The transportation program has been updated to RideCo, which is an on-demand transit software service. PCACS bus riders will be able to schedule a same-day ride – if available - through an app or online through the PCACS RideCo website: www. book.pcacs.rideco.com.
“While you can still call into our transportation department, you now have the opportunity to schedule a ride on your phone or laptop,” Lindner said. “The biggest benefit is that the software tracks our buses in real-time, so riders will not have to schedule appointments days in advance. This should translate into transporting more community members to where they need to go.”
Beyond transportation, PCACS also administers the Energy Assistance Program. From October 2020 to May 2021, 946 clients were served and $471,079 was paid to energy companies. The program helps those who need help paying their energy bills and are income qualified.
The Section 8 Housing Program continues to grow with 396 current clients. The program helps low-income families find housing.
The PCACS team helped 40 community members through the United Way Emergency Assistance Grant. The $30,000 in funding went to mortgage/rent expenses, car or housing repairs or utilities.
The PCACS building continues to be a distribution site for the Supplemental Food Program through the Food Bank of NWI.
“Through our site, we help 59 seniors add to their food offerings with a monthly box that is filled with vegetables, fruit, high protein items, juice, grains and shelf-stable milk,” Lindner said.
“We also are still partnering with the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club to install metal ramps to Porter County residents. Club members helped 15 individuals have better access to their homes.”
PCACS’ mission is to extend a helping hand to seniors, people with disabilities and low-income residents by providing services to improve their quality of life. Programs offered include: transportation, energy and emergency assistance, Section 8 and ramp building.
For more information, visit www.portercountyacs.org.