Letter: Let's find additional ways to support Voluntary Action Center in light of contract loss

To the Editor:

I am writing in response to your article on the Voluntary Action Center losing its paratransit contract with the city of DeKalb after nearly 40 years, which was published on Sept. 14. As a master of public health student at Northern Illinois University and a local community member, I am particularly concerned for our most vulnerable community members and the new challenges VAC is facing.

As the paratransit provider for the City of DeKalb, many older adults and individuals with disabilities rely on these services to receive their medications, meals, and transit services to doctor appointments. Despite VAC's contract expiring on December 31, 2020, the
nonprofit will continue offering transportation services in rural areas and other services such as Meals on Wheels within DeKalb County.

Ellen Rogers, the Executive Director of VAC, expresses her concerns which result from losing the City of DeKalb contract as the 40% budget cut will have an undeniable impact agency-wide. Although W.C. Pihl, senior vice president of business development for Transdev, is proposing to offer employees a position who will be laid off by VAC, Rogers believes that her employees will still bear the impact of this change in providers.

Furthermore, VAC has continued to support its employees during these troubling times and has already prepared its busses with plastic shields, showing their preparation and dedication to serving its vulnerable members, regardless of the difficult circumstances brought on by the pandemic. Taking this into consideration along with the increased demand of many additional VAC services during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is growing concern for how the nonprofit organization will operate to meet the needs of its elder and disabled population.

Many older adults and disabled members of DeKalb County and neighboring counties are unable to independently obtain necessary services by themselves, and VAC has been the organization which has filled this crucial gap.

I would like to encourage the city of DeKalb, county residents and other community stakeholders in finding additional ways to support the Voluntary Action Center with accessing other opportunities to account for this significant financial loss. Whether it be through generous donations of finances, time, or talents, there is room for all community members to contribute in furthering the mission of VAC.

Monica Kowalczyk

DeKalb