COLORADO SPRINGS — A local agency that gives rides to folks who can't get around, is now turning its efforts to helping people get to their COVID vaccination appointments.
Envida, is a nonprofit that's been around for 50 years in Southern Colorado. The agency gives rides to seniors who need help getting around and also offers in-home care services to seniors who want to live independently. They also serve people who are in mental distress or who are dealing with addiction, and now they're helping people get to their vaccine appointments too.
Envida has set up a phone line so that anyone in El Paso County or Teller County, who doesn't have a ride to their appointment, can get a ride. People can simply call the phone number, give their address and appointment time, and then the agency will send a trained driver to them on the day of their appointment.
"So far the feedback has been positive," explained Phill Van Horn, Transit Manager for Envida.
"By the time they are talking to us they are at the end of this process and it's just a sigh of relief, and they are ready to go," he said.
Envida staff members say they started offering vaccine appointment rides last week. With this new service, plus all the other transportation programs they offer, on average they give over 100 rides a week.
"The Envida drivers are special. They are heavily screened for their compassion and safety, and we are proud to say that we adhere to all CDC guidelines," said Gail Nehls, Chief Executive Officer of Envida.
Keep in mind, this service is only for folks who already have a COVID vaccine appointment, and they just can't get there. You can't use Envida to schedule your actual appointment.
If you would like to schedule a ride, call 719-600-2221.
