Email to Waupaca Co. Employers

Re: Employee/Employer Transportation in Waupaca Co.

Dear Waupaca Co. Employers,
In 2018, I noticed a significant correlation between reliable transportation and success in the workplace.  One thing has led to another and a core team of leaders in Waupaca County is addressing the transportation needs within Waupaca Co for employees getting to work through identifying need and applying for grants.  This email is an update on the progress.

This email contains:

• Attached pdf - Workforce Innovation Grant update and opportunity for employers by Jeff Mikorski, Executive Director of Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation
• History from Make the Ride Happen Mobility Manager Holly Keenan (in body of email)
• Attached Word Doc - Request for transportation data and specific data points we are asking employers to collect

For further updates please note your interest with carrie.krepswegenast@tyson.com.  Expressing interest does not require participation but it is the fastest way to know if we have received the grant and next steps employers can take to participate.

Sincerely,

Chaplain Carrie Kreps Wegenast

Tyson Foods, New London

Carrie.krepswegenast@tyson.com

Make The Ride Happen

Summary of Program from Holly Keenan, Mobility Manager

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan

3003 N Richmond St l Appleton, WI 54911

Phone (920) 225-1740 l (920) 470-6181

holly.keenan@lsswis.org

www.maketheridehappen.org

Make The Ride Happen (MRH) is a program of Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI. Make the Ride has worked to identify individuals who fall between the cracks as related to existing transportation options (or lack thereof) in the New London (Waupaca) area and help them find a safe ride at a reasonable cost.

Since our worked expanded in 2021 in New London, we hope to identify those un- or underserved individuals in Waupaca County.  This ensures that services are being provided to individuals in a way that complements rather than duplicates any existing Services. 

In an effort to find solutions to fill the transportation gaps in Waupaca county we need to survey individuals in the community post COVID Pandemic to clearly identify the gaps.  The last time we survey the county was 2019 pre COVID. This data we are asking for will be used in addition to the survey data to help show the need and support any funding opportunities. This information will be used to plan the work we do going forward.  Make The Ride Happen offers a transportation call center for anyone looking to find options in their community.  We also manage a pool of volunteer drivers who help fill gaps in transportation.  We hope to combine all the things listed above to find a long term sustainable program.