Wheels to Work program helps people like one Decorah woman

Decorah resident Tina Wedo would still be pouring money into her old car for constant repairs if not for a program being offered by NEICAC.

The "Wheels for Work" program is offered through EARL Public Transit, a program of Northeast Iowa Community Action.
 
"It took a lot off my shoulders when I learned about this program," Wedo said recently after paying off the loan for her 2002 Buick Century.  The program offers zero interest car loans for people who meet income-eligibility standards.  It serves people in Allamakee, Bremer, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties.

The funding for this program had been initially provided to NEICAC by the Iowa Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration, but the program is now self-sufficient because the loans get repaid.
 
EARL Public Transit works with eligible applicants to find a high quality affordable used vehicle and contracts the applicants to loan money to purchase the vehicle.  The program has a financial education component as part of the loan application process. Wedo is the second person to successfully complete the program since it began in 2013.
 
"It's a learning experience on a couple of levels," Wedo said. "It has been a blessing and a wonderful thing for me. It's a lovely program."
 
The Wheels for Work program is now a revolving means of strengthening families and communities toward lifelong success by enabling participants to get to work in a dependable vehicle. Interested people are encouraged to call Northeast Iowa Community Action at 563-387-4930 to determine eligibility.
 
"Don't hesitate or be afraid to fill out an application," Wedo said. "They are so friendly, flexible and willing to work with you."