“You all are granting wishes, giving miracles to each person who comes through here,” Scott said, beaming and wiping away tears.

Scott, who works for the Family Investment Program at St. Mary’s Department of Social Services, had to take 4 buses to get to work each day. She recently had to turn down a supervisor position at her work because she did not have car.

“When I heard that I was getting a car, the first thing I thought is that I don’t have to stand in the cold or rain for hours, waiting for the bus anymore,” said Scott, “I don’t have to pick up the kids after 7 pm….I can’t begin to say, this is truly a blessing.”  

Scott found the VFC car award program through her own online research. After calling VFC, she learned that she qualified to receive a vehicle through the Maryland Transportation Assistance Program.

“I had a lot of advocates,” said Scott, “My family members helped and VFC’s Steve [Sullivan] told me to hang in there. He kept pushing for me to get a car.”

Scott was planning on surprising her three children with the vehicle by picking them up from school.

“My oldest son wanted to play football – and he couldn’t before, because we didn’t have a car – but now he can!” said Scott, “He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m taking him to weight training practice tonight!”

The core values that guide Vehicles for Change:

• Integrity: Being ethically unyielding, honest, inspiring trust by saying what we mean, matching our behaviors to our words and taking responsibility for our actions.
• Mission Driven: There is no better job in the world than one that provides a valuable service for our fellow man. Everything we do, each and every day is driven by the mission of VFC. 
• Family: VFC has been and will continue to be incredibly successful because we work together, meeting the needs of our colleagues. VFC will strive to continue to meet the needs of the team as the team strives to meet the needs of each other. As a family, we look out for each other, have each other’s back, never criticize in a negative way and push each other to be the best! We are compassionate towards everyone we encounter, inside and outside of the office. 
• Pride: It is our goal to have the best and brightest be a part of the VFC team. A group that believes that what we do is not only having an impact on our families but also on our communities.  When we leave each day, when we speak of our work, when we mention VFC our chests should be big and head held high!
• POS (Positively Outrageous Service): There are a number of groups we serve on any given day: recipients, donors, volunteers, funders, sponsoring agencies and each other. Every group deserves the very best service! Treat each as they are the most important person in the world – YOURSELF! Every team member is empowered to “make it better” for one of our constituents. 
• Innovation: Change is a good thing! It is vital that we continue to evolve the organization to grow stronger and more efficient. Each team member is empowered to discover new ways that VFC can better serve our customers, increase our productivity and secure our future growth.  
• The “ME”: For a team to have any chance of success, individuals must take the first step. Each staff member must commit to the team and to themselves. What is your responsibility? Bring your best to work, every day. Hold yourself and others accountable for bringing your best and being a team player. Develop personally and professionally, and have fun doing it