The Miles That Matter

One of the ways Life Line Housing has been able to serve our community is through transportation. While it may seem like a simple thing, giving someone a ride can often mean the difference between them making it to a doctor's appointment, attending Celebrate Recovery, getting to work, or taking an important test that could change their future.

When I first started using my personal vehicle to transport participants, I was honestly scared.

Not because I didn't want to help, but because I understood the risks involved. As someone working with individuals in recovery, I worried about what might accidentally end up in my vehicle. The thought of being pulled over and finding out someone had drugs in their pocket was a very real concern. The consequences could impact not only me personally but also the mission of Life Line Housing.

Because of those concerns, I had to establish boundaries from the beginning.

I make it very clear that if someone is actively using substances, that is their choice, but they cannot bring drugs into my vehicle. There have been times when I smelled marijuana and had to stop and ask uncomfortable questions. More than once, someone checked their pockets and realized they still had something with them. In those situations, they were asked to leave it behind before getting in the vehicle.

Boundaries are not about being unkind. They are about protecting everyone involved.

What I've learned is that helping people and maintaining healthy boundaries can exist together. Despite the challenges, there is something incredibly rewarding about being able to provide transportation.

Today, I had the opportunity to pick up Katrina and take her to her GED test. Being able to support someone as they work toward a goal that can change the course of their life is an incredible privilege.

Those moments remind me why I continue to do it.

Transportation is often one of the biggest barriers people face. Many individuals in recovery do not have reliable vehicles. Some have suspended licenses. Others simply cannot afford gas. Something as simple as a ride can become the bridge between where someone is and where they want to be.

But service does come with a cost.

My van is not owned by Life Line Housing. It is my personal vehicle. Every mile adds wear and tear. Tires wear out. Oil changes come sooner. The engine occasionally reminds me that it has carried a lot of miles. Some weeks I fill the tank multiple times just trying to help people get where they need to go. As gas prices continue to rise, there have been difficult decisions. There have been times when I wanted to help everyone but simply could not afford to transport every person to every appointment. That reality is frustrating because my heart wants to say yes every time.

Yet even with the challenges, I believe these miles matter.

Every trip to Celebrate Recovery matters.

Every ride to a GED test matters.

Every doctor's appointment matters.

Every opportunity to help someone take one more step toward stability matters.

Transportation may not be the most visible service we provide, but it is often one of the most impactful. Sometimes hope arrives in the form of a simple ride.

As Life Line Housing continues to grow, my hope is that we will eventually be able to expand our transportation services, reduce the burden on personal vehicles, and help even more people access the resources they need. Until then, we'll keep putting miles on the van, setting healthy boundaries, and helping people move forward one ride at a time.

Because sometimes the road to recovery begins with someone simply showing up and saying,

"Hop in. Let's get you where you need to go."