Contact:
Susan Jacobs, Founder & CEO, Wheels of Success, 813-490-9443;
or, Gregg Laskoski, 813-289-1320; or cell; 813-992-0867

Wheels to the Future Pilot Program Gives Vehicles to Area Youths Aging out of Foster Care

Tampa, FL – June 26, 2009 – Coming of age in the foster care system with no family standing by to provide a head start in life can be daunting. The Eckerd Family Foundation’s financial contribution, partially matched by The Rotary Club of Tampa, has made possible a program seeking to help meet this need for area youth – namely, Wheels to the Future, a pilot program of Wheels of Success.

Wheels to the Future placed its first such teen in the driver’s seat of his newly painted Volvo last month. Now the program is looking to give a second foster care youth the keys to his/her future. The hope for this much needed effort is to award one car each month to a deserving youth moving on to full-time employment and/or an advanced education. Individuals wishing to contribute funds to this important program or a vehicle specifically earmarked for a local teen aging out of the foster care system are encouraged to call Susan Jacobs at Wheels of Success (813) 490-9443.

Founded in 2003, Wheels of Success is Tampa Bay’s only 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing a full range of transportation solutions, including vehicle replacement and car repairs as well as licensing, car payment and down payment assistance to low and moderate income working families. For more information, please visit www.wheelsofsuccess.org.

About Wheels of Success
Donated vehicles assist Wheels of Success clients who are referred by religious and social service organizations or their employer. Wheels of Success follows a "Pay it Forward" philosophy and recipients pay back a percentage of the repairs or licensing services (the vehicle itself is donated to the client) by making monthly payments based on ability to pay, as well as donating 5 service hours per month to the organization. These payments enable clients to make a difference and help Wheels of Success to keep rolling and serving others.

Wheels of Success, Inc. was incorporated in 2003 to help families obtain or continue work by providing them with reliable transportation through a program of car repairs, vehicle replacement, related licensing services, car payments, down payments and car-care classes in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties and has since expanded to Pasco County. To date, Wheels of Success has assisted 220 families and 175 of them have received vehicles.