JumpStart

An Effective Practice

Description

West CAP is a community-based organization operating in a 7-county area proximate to the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1998, administrators of the organization developed a hypotheses regarding the transportation problems of Welfare-to-Work households in a rural area. It was believed that only the private automobile could meet all of the needs of TANF or Wisconsin Works (W-2) households. The agency developed resources to launch a facilitated-automobile purchase program named JumpStart. The program provides down payment loans and case management support. In order to provide low-interest loans to clients, West CAP developed partnerships with credit unions, obtaining preferential interest rates. In order to provide the lowest possible prices, the agency took the innovative step of becoming an automobile dealer, able to purchase at wholesale automobile auctions.

Goal / Mission

The goal of this program is to assist low-income households in obtaining a personal vehicle.

Results / Accomplishments

JumpStart has helped 90 eligible households. Evaluation of the program shows that that combined interest and price saving average $3,900 per client household, and that the program provides its services at reasonable public cost. A survey of clients owning program vehicles for 6-months or more provides evidence of success in terms of the income development purposes of the program. In fact, the program data and client survey results argue strongly that ownership of a private automobile is a key element of success in obtaining the "assets" of independence: job training or education, a good job, health care, child care, social supports, and even self-esteem and family/community relationships.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc.
Primary Contact
Craig Adams, Program Coordinator
West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency
P.O. Box 308
Glenwood City, Wisconsin 54013
(715) 265-4271
http://westcap.dreamhosters.com/
Topics
Community / Transportation
Organization(s)
West Central Wisconsin Community Action Agency, Inc.
Source
Center for Community Action Research
Date of publication
2002
Date of implementation
1998
Location
Wisconsin
For more details
Target Audience
Families