Dover, NH: COAST has received two $10,000 grants on behalf of the Alliance for Community Transportation (ACT) from Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation. The funds will support ACT and will serve as a match to federal funds.
Led by COAST, ACT is comprised of transportation providers (including COAST), human service agencies, health care providers, planning commissions, and citizen members, and facilitates the implementation of coordinated community transportation across 38 communities, including all of Strafford County, eastern Rockingham County, and Wakefield and Brookfield in Carroll County.
As part of this work, COAST also operates TripLink, a regional transportation call center that takes trip requests on behalf of COAST, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, Community Rides, Ready Rides, and Rockingham Nutrition & Meals on Wheels.
In 2023, TripLink booked more than 36,000 trips for more than 700 people. This year, they are on track to exceed pre-pandemic levels of ridership with over 41,000 trips expected.
"As the second oldest state in the country, New Hampshire's aging population needs access to regular medical care," said Jeff Donald Regional Mobility Manager for ACT and TripLink. "Transportation is a critical ingredient for seniors wanting to age in place. We're grateful to the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation and Wentworth-Douglass Hospital for their investment in this vital service that ensures wellness for so many across our region."
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, charitable health care organization located in Dover, New Hampshire with a more than 115-year history of compassionate care and innovation. A member of the Mass General Brigham system, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is strategically located in the heart of the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Southern Maine, which it has served since 1906.
"We have firsthand insight into the profound effect ACT's programs have on enhancing the health and wellness of our Seacoast communities," said Meaghan Heusler, Wentworth-Douglass community benefits manager. "By combining our contribution with federal funding, ACT will be able to eliminate transportation and coordination obstacles for numerous individuals in our neighborhoods."
The Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation (GRCHF) improves the health and well-being of the people in Strafford County and surrounding communities by investing in health and social service programs, organizations and projects that benefit the community. Created in 2021 with proceeds from the sale of the nonprofit Frisbie Memorial Hospital, GRCHF is a supporting organization of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
"Getting people to the services they need is paramount for public health. Each year, the Alliance for Community Transportation serves hundreds of older adults and people with disabilities, ensuring that they get the care they need to stay healthy. We're proud to support this work," said Jennifer Ufkin, Chair of the Greater Rochester Community Health Foundation board and Vice President of Operations for Cornerstone VNA in Rochester.
About the Alliance for Community Transportation (ACT)
ACT is southeastern New Hampshire's state-designated Regional Coordination Council for Community Transportation. Membership is comprised of human service agencies, health care providers, transportation providers, regional planning commissions, and citizen members. ACT's mission is to facilitate the implementation of coordinated community transportation and to encourage the development of improved and expanded regional transportation services. ACT is led by the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST). For more information, please visit communityrides.org.