Car Donations Help Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Reenter Society

October 7, 2021

While there are several nonprofit organizations that accept car donations, there’s something extra special about car donations with Vehicles for Changes (VFC). Cars donated to VFC are serviced by formerly incarcerated individuals. Through our Full Circle Training Program, we provide on-site job training for these individuals to help them reenter society with the skills, support, and empowerment needed to contribute to their families and the local community.

How Your Donated Car Restores Futures

In 2018, the Bureau of Justice conducted a study with over 401,000 individuals released from prison. During the study, more than 83% of those released were rearrested an average of six times. In 2019, the most recent available data, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) indicates that the highest number of arrests were for drug abuse violations with over 1.5 M arrests. Recidivism is an international problem. The Independent explains how companies like Toyota are trying to help with this social justice issue.

And, to hit home within our local community, according to the Baltimore Sun, nearly 40% of individuals released from prison are rearrested in Maryland, costing an average of $46,000 per person.

Your donated car goes the extra mile with Vehicles for Change. Your donated car doesn’t just help a deserving family in need with transportation or provide you with tax advantages. It gives an individual reentering society a chance for a fresh start with a promising future.

Full Circle Training Program

Since creating our Full Circle Training Program in 2015, these alarming statistics have only increased. This motivates our mission to positively impact our community by helping decrease recidivism rates and helping formerly incarcerated individuals return to society better prepared.

Our interns are trained by Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified mechanics and taught to master several achievement areas including engine repair, inspections, and engine performance. Less than 5% of individuals involved with our Full Circle Training Program returned to prison and 100% of program graduates found full-time employment after completing their training. Don’t just hear it from us though, The Baltimore Sun spoke with one of our former trainees, Howard, about his experience with our program. We’re honored to have been part of his re-entry to society.

There are several ways you can help us grow our Full Circle Training Program:

• Tell a friend in need about the program. They can contact us for more information at jjohnson@vehiclesforchange.org or call (410) 242-2698.
• Bring your car in for regular service. From oil and fluid changes to tune-ups, tire rotations, battery replacements, and more, you can count on our Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified mechanics to provide you the quality, affordable and transparent service you deserve!
• Donate your car so that our trainees can continue learning and growing in their craft.

Donate Today

Donating to Vehicles for Change is as easy as 1, 2, 3. 1) Complete our donation form, 2) Schedule a pickup with our Tow Coordinator, and 3) Hand over the keys and title to VFC. Your donated vehicle goes the extra mile with us by supporting our Full Circle Training Program and then being awarded to a deserving family in your community.