Drive to Work

Cory, age 30, has his own business, in Richmond. He provides night-time office cleaning services for businesses and needed to get to their locations every evening. With equipment to carry and no night time public transportation, Cory needed a driver’s license.

Unfortunately, he lost his license in 2004 when he failed to pay a court fine. He kept driving, and he kept getting caught. By the time he came to Drive-To-Work, he owed over $1,600 in unpaid fines and was suspended for driving while suspended in four courts, totaling 12 months. Plus, he faced further court charges for the same thing.

Cory is an example of someone who just cannot do his or her job without being able to drive. He chose to continue driving rather than stop working. Of course, he violated the law and had to pay the consequences.

Cory came to Drive-To-Work in mid-2009. We got him on pay plans for his fines and went to court to get restricted licenses allowing him to drive at work. By December, he was again driving legally.

Cory says, “I knew all along I needed to get my license back, but just could not make it through the process alone. Drive-To-Work definitely helped. Now, I am working at my business and it is growing. I drive without looking over my shoulder for the blue lights. I am a happy man.”

Drive to Work Story 2

Joan, age 49, had a hard life, including time in jail, for various non-violent offenses like drugs. After her release from jail in 2008, she joined Boaz and Ruth in Richmond, a job training program, and participated in a local drug court program.

All these crimes also resulted in loss of her driver’s license, due to fines, license suspensions for the drug offenses and an unpaid “statutory fee” for driving one time without insurance. Finding a job when she had no license proved very difficult, since so many employers require having a driver’s license (even when the job doesn’t involve driving).

Joan came to Drive-To-Work while still in the drug court program. She was approved for pay plans for her fines when she came up with enough money for a decent down payment. She demonstrated to the judge that she needed a restricted license to get back and forth to a new job at McDonalds in the Henrico suburbs. Through all this, Drive-To-Work was beside her and representing her.

Joan says, “The most important job requirement for me was having a license. Drive-To-Work showed me that I could do it. Nobody before had tried to help. I always recommend Drive-To-Work to my friends who think getting their license back is impossible.”

Drive to Work – Story 3

Jason, age 40, is a big man (6’6” and over 300 pounds) with a big heart. He makes his living as a caretaker for several Richmond nursing homes. He sits with his patients and helps them with personal needs. Sometimes this involves taking them places for medical services or just out for fun.

Jason hasn’t had a license since 2005. He owed over $3,500 in fines and his license was also suspended by a judge for 90 days. Since he has no license, he cannot do everything he needs as a caretaker. He’s less employable and makes less money.

Jason couldn’t afford to pay off the fines, so Drive-To-Work arranged pay plans in three courts and he pays $300 a month on the fines. He also got a restricted license from one court which allows him to help his patients get around. Plus he is eligible for a second job.

Jason says, “My employment and income prospects got a lot better now that I can drive legally. I appreciate everything Drive-To-Work has done.”

Our CVC code is 3324.

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