Duane “Woody” Wooden as soon as noticed how a bus driver’s kindness — a beneficiant perspective and the present of a blanket — touched his father throughout his dialysis remedies. That impressed him to later turn into a Through Mobility Companies driver.
“I needed to offer again to the neighborhood and I simply wish to assist individuals,” he stated. “My career is to like individuals and that’s what I attempt to do.”
Together with his work driving for Through Mobility Companies, Woody helps individuals in Boulder County (and different areas) keep linked and unbiased. On these buses, individuals 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, stated Through Mobility Companies is “like a coronary heart for…individuals with completely different skills.”
Past transit for individuals 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 offered 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 by accident. After having turn into cranky consequently, 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 stated. “Clearly, I already knew what was necessary and what was not, however this simply actually introduced it to mild at that minute and it was very rewarding.”
Just a few favourite moments and recollections of Through Mobility Companies workforce 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 in the course of 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 each time she needs.
Throughout instances of hardship, Through Mobility Companies has linked with the bigger neighborhood. After the King Sooper’s taking pictures in 2021, their headquarters have been open for these affected to assemble and join.
“It’s acquired a bit neighborhood on wheels typically certainly,” Woody stated.
As a “second responder,” Through Mobility Companies has helped with free evacuation transport in instances of wildfires, floods and the latest assault on Pearl Road, following the path of the Workplace of Catastrophe Administration.
Throughout the Marshall Fireplace, drivers put themselves in hurt’s method to assist evacuate individuals 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 protected place the place she and her canine might keep out of hurt’s method.
“We’re right here for the neighborhood. We reinvest in the neighborhood,” Bruno stated. “The income stays right here, the wages keep right here, the dedication to neighborhood stays.”
Through Mobility Companies works intently with close by cities and counties to study locals’ wants and considerations, adapting their routes to handle any considerations concerning the routes. The identical perspective goes in the direction of staff in serving to enhance the group.
General, the tradition of the workforce is generosity and kindness in the direction of the Boulder neighborhood.
“I’ve all the time had this concept that that you must look after individuals no matter who they’re,” Woody stated.