“[W]hat a cool opportunity to be able to learn your trade and to be able to do something to give back to your community. It’s just awesome.”
Mike White, Partner in Rides for a Reason
In an inspiring initiative that combines education, community service, and the power of giving back, Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) students launched a program called Rides for a Reason. The program’s basic structure is that KTEC students fix up used cars, which are then donated directly to individuals in the community who cannot afford to buy a car, but who desperately need one to commute to work or transport their kids. The program was created in partnership with Charity Reimagined and longtime KTEC supporter Mike White of Mike White Ford and Eve Knudtsen of Knudtsen Chevrolet.
Charity Reimagined
Charity Reimagined is an organization located in Hayden, Idaho, that exemplifies what its name implies: reimagining what charity requires. It is motivated by a simple fact: “83% of the people born into generational poverty never leave it.” That statistic is a glaring testament to the failure of “charity” programs that are simply place-holders, failing to provide individuals and families with the tools and opportunities to overcome barriers to economic stability and success.
Charity Reimagined believes that true charity involves helping people to reconfigure their lives in a way that enables them to succeed. The idea is to give people a helping hand, not a handout.
As part of its efforts, Charity Reimagined determined that, for many people, the lack of a personal car was a critical handicap for people undergoing hardship to try to get back on their feet. So they approached Mike White, Eve Knudtsen, and KTEC with an idea for these dealerships to partner with KTEC’s automotive technician training program.
Rides for a Reason
The program was given the name “Rides for a Reason” by KTEC students. These dealerships donate older vehicles to KTEC. The students receive an educational benefit through hands-on experience learning how to troubleshoot and fix car problems. Once they repair a car, KTEC donates it to someone designated as ALICE (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) by one of the partner non-profits that Charity Reimagined works with. As part of the program, the vehicle recipient does not have to pay for the vehicle but is required to cover the cost of the parts needed for repair.
The program is a win for everyone: for Charity Reimagined, who helps a person in need; KTEC students, who get a valuable learning experience; the vehicle recipient, who receives a car in good working order; and the dealerships, who know that KTEC will train good auto technicians. Local dealerships regularly hire KTEC graduates. Mike White Ford has employed several KTEC alumni and has supported KTEC for several years.
The students are very proud of having this opportunity to participate in Rides for a Reason. As students, they may not have the resources to donate funds. Still, they can make a material difference in someone’s life through their work, which is gratifying. For Jack Neal, one of the KTEC’s instructors, this program means that he gets to teach his students about more than just cars. Rides for a Reason helps him teach his students the importance of making a positive impact. He is proud to be part of a program that produces not just workers, but well-rounded individuals with compassion, a good work ethic, and a personal investment in the welfare of the communities where they live.
While the program’s full potential remains to be seen, these stakeholders believe it can significantly impact Kootenai County for the better. Rides for a Reason is a shining example of what can be achieved when individuals come together to create positive change and transform lives.
Mike White Ford: Invested in the Community
Rides for a Reason is one of the ways Mike White Ford gives back to the area that has nurtured its success. Mike started as a car salesman in Coeur d’Alene, and his Ford dealerships in Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint are family-owned and operated. For more than 30 years, Mike and his family have been proud to call northern Idaho “home.” He takes to heart his conviction that everyone in the community plays a part in keeping this area a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
If you are interested in working with Mike White Ford for a charity project or are in the market for a new vehicle, call or stop in at Mike White Ford today!