Partnership Provides Veterans with Reliable Transportation, Empowering Independence and Opportunity
Today, at a special presentation hosted by Vehicles for Change and MileOne Autogroup at Heritage Toyota in Owings Mills, 10 cars were awarded to veterans in honor of Veterans Day. The event included Maryland Secretary of Veteran Affairs Anthony C. Woods and Maryland State Senator William C. Smith, Jr., who recognized the vital role reliable transportation plays in empowering veterans to access employment, healthcare, and community life.
Since partnering with Vehicles for Change in 2017, MileOne Autogroup has supported the organization’s mission by donating over 220 vehicles, valued at more than $1.5 million, to families and individuals facing transportation challenges. Additionally, MileOne has hired 28 auto technicians through Vehicles for Change’s Full Circle Auto Training Program, which provides training and placement for individuals overcoming justice involvement, unemployment, or underemployment.
“Access to transportation is a powerful force for positive change,” said Marty Schwartz, President of Vehicles for Change. “We’re proud to partner with MileOne Autogroup, whose longstanding support has made it possible to provide veterans with affordable vehicles, enabling them to build stable, independent lives.”
“Supporting those who have served our country is a responsibility we are honored to uphold,” said Michael Fader, President of MileOne Holdings. “Our partnership with Vehicles for Change allows us to extend the reach of our MileOneCares program by providing essential resources that help veterans and their families build stronger, more independent futures. Seeing the immediate impact these vehicles have on each recipient is truly rewarding and underscores our commitment to giving back to the communities where we live and work.”
Each veteran recipient has a unique story, illustrating the profound impact that reliable transportation can have on those striving for independence. For some, a car means access to better employment or educational opportunities, while for others, it is a gateway to family time, essential services, and community engagement. The stories of today’s recipients include:
- Jacques Alexander – An Army veteran from Baltimore County, Jacques views receiving a car as a “true blessing from God,” representing a newfound sense of liberty and security. This vehicle will allow him to reconnect with family, including visits to his mother and grandchildren, and will enable him to fully embrace his independence.
- Tammy Smith – A mother of five, Tammy’s new vehicle will eliminate her reliance on ridesharing, helping her save money to achieve her goal of homeownership. She sees this car as a pathway to a stable future, and she’s excited to handle essential tasks like grocery shopping and visiting her grandkids independently.
- Keith Sedam – An Army servicemember with a young family, Keith is grateful for the freedom this car provides. It will allow his family to plan outings and share special moments, like taking their two-year-old daughter to the library. This vehicle symbolizes the opportunity to reconnect with friends and support his family’s aspirations.
- Devonte McQueen-Riley – A dedicated Air Force veteran, Devonte has faced significant transportation challenges that limited his job opportunities and access to essential services. Now, with a reliable vehicle, he looks forward to visiting his mother, advancing his career, and continuing to support fellow veterans.
- Rafael Mason – A Navy veteran, Rafael likens receiving this car to the pride he felt when he first joined the military. This vehicle will allow him to pursue career and educational goals while honoring the cherished morning tradition of getting breakfast with his mother. For Rafael, this gift symbolizes the start of a hopeful new chapter for him and his family.
“Having this car is life-changing,” said recipient Devonte McQueen-Riley, Air Force veteran and father. “I finally have the freedom to pursue job opportunities, visit family, and be there for my son. This support has given me hope for the future, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made it possible.”
Launched in 2022, MileOneCares is MileOne Autogroup’s corporate giving program, focusing on transportation solutions and the wellbeing of MileOne’s 4,000 employees. Through partnerships with organizations like Vehicles for Change, MileOneCares advances the mission of safety and accessibility across the Mid-Atlantic.
About MileOneCares
In 2022, MileOne Autogroup launched MileOneCares, its corporate giving program encompassing all philanthropic efforts across the company’s franchises in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Delaware and North Carolina as part of its Hall, Heritage, Herb Gordon, Annapolis and MotorWorld divisions. Since MileOne’s founding in 1997, the company has donated funds, volunteer hours and vehicles to hundreds of nonprofit organizations throughout the communities where its employees work and live. Under MileOneCares, the company primarily focuses its philanthropic outreach on transportation-related initiatives including its partnerships with DriveSmart Virginia in support of its Distracted Driving program and ShareBaby, providing car seats to families in need. MileOneCares also supports the company’s 4,000 employees through the NextMile Scholarship Program; the MileOne Support Fund, which provides financial assistance in times of disaster or emergency hardship; in addition to an employee-nominated grant program, in which employees can apply for funds to support causes to which they are personally connected. For more information on the program, visit www.mileonecares.com.
About MileOne Autogroup
MileOne Autogroup represents 67 franchises with 25 automotive brands along with 49 Service Centers in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. The MileOne Autogroup model provides for all of the automotive needs of its customers conveniently, on their own terms. MileOne Autogroup is the largest automotive sales and service delivery network in the Mid-Atlantic area. For more information on MileOne, visit www.mileone.com.
About Vehicles for Change (VFC):
VFC is an innovative nonprofit organization that accepts and repairs donated cars and provides reliable transportation to worthy families while offering valuable automotive technician training to those in need. Since 1999, VFC has awarded more than 8,000 vehicles, empowering more than 28,000 individuals to achieve economic and personal independence. Cars are awarded at a low cost to qualified individuals who apply through social service partnering agencies. Through the Full Circle Auto Repair and Training Center, VFC works with justice involved and unemployed individuals, trains them to become Automotive mechanics through Virtual Reality and hands on training, and places them in meaningful employment opportunities. VFC’s Full Circle Auto Repair and Training Center is a full-service automotive garage—a social enterprise that funds the mission of the organization. For additional information about Vehicles for Change, or to donate a vehicle, visit www.vehiclesforchange.org or call 410-242-9674.
