Success Stories
Carlos is a strong, proud man--proud of his wife and two children, proud of his job with the St. Petersburg Police Department, and proud to serve his country in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Carlos is an Army reservist who was called away from his family and his job to serve his country for two separate tours of duty, totaling 2 1/2 years.
Three Agencies Partner with Wheels of Success to Provide the Means for Independence
According to The Spring's website, "With the appropriate tools, victims can become survivors and live safe, prosperous lives." One of the tools of independence is having reliable transportation. Very often, abusers exert control over their victims by denying them access to basic resources, like a car. This makes it is difficult for women to leave abusive situations and they often return to their abusers because they feel they have no other choice.
Starting Right, Now and Wheels of Success Help with a Home, a Job, a Car and New Hope
Keisha, a soft-spoken single mother of four, was in trouble. She had no home, no car, and no job, but she never lost her faith. Her prayers were answered when she found help from the non-profit organizations Starting Right, Now and Wheels of Success.
When Maritza made the decision to end an abusive relationship, she needed to leave quickly to protect herself and her three sons. Homeless and jobless, she turned to the non-profit agency Starting Right, Now for support. They were able to help Maritza find a home and a job, and then they referred her to Wheels of Success.
Homeless Female Veteran Gets Wheels
Maria L was driving a Chevy Lumina she had purchased from a friend for $500. She was putting too much money into the car to keep it in the road. That's when Maria heard about Wheels of Success through Genesis, a counseling agency that assists with credit management and ultimately was referred to Wheels through the Homeless Female Veterans' Program.
A Grandmother Returns to College; her Grandson Sees the Rays Play
Paulette J. had no vehicle. For two years she and her grandson Hunter (then 5 years old) walked to everything…work, the grocery store, laundry mat, doctors’ appointments, and church.
Chris was truly grateful to be re-united with his 12-year-old son but lamented what his transportation limitations stole from their lives before they received a 1994 Ford Escort from WOS.
Carla says that Wheels of Success gave her family the perfect Halloween treat when they gave her a 2001 Daewood Leganza in October. Before that, she didn’t know how many more of life’s cruel tricks she could endure. After her 15-year-old daughter was murdered, Carla’s life began to spin out of control financially and every other way.
Carmen officially received her 2000 Ford Taurus at the Wheels of Success fundraiser at Tampa Bay Downs in February. (Actual delivery followed shortly thereafter.) She was recommended to the organization by her pastor at New Hope Alliance in Lutz.
After working for Easter Seals for eight years, Eloise fell sick. She soon personified the when-it-rain-it-pours syndrome! A single mother with four of five children under her roof, Eloise saw her troubles multiply.