Veterans in Brevard County are once again answering the call to serve; only this time, it is for their fellow veterans!

Brevard County is home to nearly 75,000 veterans, many of whom are isolated in rural locations and lack the transportation needed to get to their medical appointments and basic needs destinations. Access to health care impacts overall physical, mental, and social health status, aids in the prevention of disease and disability, initiates the treatment of medical conditions, and improves overall quality of life.

In 2012, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Brevard County, sponsored by Aging Matters in Brevard, was awarded an augmentation grant through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to help develop a no-cost, transportation program focused on veterans. Vets Driving Vets is a new and growing initiative that provides low income veterans with personalized door-to-door transportation to medical and basic needs destinations by engaging veterans as part of the solution.

To kick off the program, Aging Matters in Brevard hosted a Veteran’s Round Table where 10 community stakeholders representing local veterans' service agencies and transportation programs joined to establish community partnerships and expand recruitment efforts. Critical relationships were formed with representatives from the Veteran’s Administration Outpatient Clinic who agreed to provide referrals based upon patient needs.

Since its launch in February of 2013, Vets Driving Vets has served 59 low-income, homebound veteran men and women ranging in ages from 30 to 90 years. Veterans being served have an annual single household income of less than $17,000 or a combined household annual income of less than $24,000. Currently, Vets Driving Vets has 14 veteran male and female volunteers, all of whom are Senior Corps RSVP volunteers. These dedicated volunteers have donated 6,250 miles of transportation and provided more than 130 roundtrip rides to assist veterans in accessing health care needs. Volunteers are given Vets Driving Vets signage for their vehicles and name badge identification to make them more visible while serving throughout the community. In May of 2013, volunteers were recognized at a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon for, once again, answering the call to national service.

Under the coordination of an AmeriCorps VISTA and two volunteer area coordinators, who are all fellow veterans, the program is continually increasing its client and volunteer base. Vets Driving Vets also offers skill-based volunteer opportunities in area transportation coordination. Clearly, Vets Driving Vets is traveling along a path for success!