Duane “Woody” Wooden as soon as noticed how a bus driver’s kindness — a beneficiant angle and the reward of a blanket — touched his father throughout his dialysis remedies. That impressed him to later grow to be a Through Mobility Companies driver.
“I needed to provide again to the group and I simply need to assist folks,” he mentioned. “My career is to like folks and that’s what I attempt to do.”
Together with his work driving for Through Mobility Companies, Woody helps folks in Boulder County (and different areas) keep linked and unbiased. On these buses, folks going through mobility challenges and people dwelling in rural areas discover accessibility and connection.
The Boulder-based nonprofit, a choose employer group at Elevations, has been serving to riders achieve independence and alternatives for elevated engagement each on the bus and within the wider world for over 40 years.
Kari Lapenes, a supervisor operations specialist, mentioned Through Mobility Companies is “like a coronary heart for…folks with totally different talents.”
Past transit for folks with mobility challenges, the nonprofit has been working with RTD’s FlexRide since 2000 and is contracted to drive for Boulder’s HOP, a public bus, and shuttles like Park-to-Park for Chatauqua amongst a number of others. They’ve additionally supplied shuttles for a homeless shelter and “second-response” evacuation transit.
As a driver, connecting with passengers, who might have been extra remoted due to mobility challenges, is Woody’s precedence. Like many drivers on the nonprofit, he seeks to spice up their spirits and feels the rewards of these interactions in return. As soon as, he broke a brand new pill when he backed his seat into it unintentionally. After having grow to be cranky because of this, he picked up a passenger from a dialysis appointment with a sunny demeanor.
“It actually modified my outlook on life and issues that appear necessary that aren’t,” he mentioned. “Clearly, I already knew what was necessary and what was not, however this simply actually introduced it to gentle at that minute and it was very rewarding.”
A couple of favourite moments and reminiscences of Through Mobility Companies group members:
- Selecting up one rider who’s all the time singing as she boards
- Passengers serving to each other and bonding
- Seeing a passenger’s temper change after interacting with these on the bus
- Listening to the music from the Chatauqua whereas driving previous because it turns darkish
- Watching the attractive surroundings through the path to Lyons
- Listening to a 94-year-old rider paratransit rider’s grandson say “Thanks” for serving to his grandmother go to the senior middle at any time when she needs.
Throughout occasions of hardship, Through Mobility Companies has linked with the bigger group. After the King Sooper’s taking pictures in 2021, their headquarters have been open for these affected to collect and join.
“It’s acquired somewhat group on wheels typically certainly,” Woody mentioned.
As a “second responder,” Through Mobility Companies has helped with free evacuation transport in occasions of wildfires, floods and the current assault on Pearl Road, following the course of the Workplace of Catastrophe Administration.
Throughout the Marshall Fireplace, drivers put themselves in hurt’s means to assist evacuate folks and pets. LaPenes, then a brand new driver, was contemplating leaving the state as a result of her dwelling was near the hearth. CEO Frank Bruno, who can also be the previous Boulder metropolis supervisor, organized for a secure place the place she and her canine may keep out of hurt’s means.
“We’re right here for the group. We reinvest in the neighborhood,” Bruno mentioned. “The income stays right here, the wages keep right here, the dedication to group stays.”
Through Mobility Companies works intently with close by cities and counties to study locals’ wants and issues, adapting their routes to handle any issues in regards to the routes. The identical angle goes in direction of workers in serving to enhance the group.
Total, the tradition of the group is generosity and kindness in direction of the Boulder group.
“I’ve all the time had this concept that it’s good to look after folks no matter who they’re,” Woody mentioned.
