NEC Connect, a free transportation service for individuals in the criminal justice system, is celebrating three years and more than 11,000 rides covering 100,000 miles. We asked our Northeastern Center team members to tell us more about the program and how it makes a difference.
Why does NEC Connect provide rides for people involved in the criminal justice system? Why is it important to serve that specific group of people?
Hannah (Community Health and Outreach Center director): Typically, justice-involved individuals have some of the highest needs, service wise. They need to get to multiple appointments, including probation meetings, drug screenings, primary care and mental health care. And it’s extremely important that they make it to all of their appointments and treatment to be successful.
Sometimes, individuals will choose house arrest or jail because they don’t have access to transportation to meet the requirements of their release. So a program like NEC Connect helps support their recovery and independence in the least restrictive setting.
Where do you typically drive people?
Cait (NEC Connect driver): Anywhere that supports their recovery. That means group therapy, their job, drug court, probation, the grocery store, medical appointments and more. Most of our riders are in DeKalb county, but we have riders in LaGrange, Noble and Steuben counties as well.
How do you schedule rides?
Lesley (NEC Connect dispatch coordinator) All calls come through me at 260-925-8657, and I try to schedule rides so we can pick up as many people as possible. We try to piggyback, meaning we’ll pick two to three people up in the van along the way. Because the program is confidential, clients simply provide their first name and last initial. I also need a phone number to call in case of a cancellation, but that’s all the information needed to sign up.
Do you ever have to deny or cancel or ride?
Lesley: We have a no-wrong-door policy, meaning no one is technically denied, but when our schedule is full we use a standby list. We’ll check that list multiple times a day to see if we can fit people in our schedule, or we’ll refer them to other transportation services if needed.
I remind everyone that NEC Connect is a scheduled ride, but not a guaranteed ride. Unfortunately, we do have to cancel from time-to-time due weather, driver illness or other unforeseen circumstances. So we always recommend having a backup plan.
We also will suspend riders from NEC Connect after three no-shows for a scheduled ride. Thankfully, that rarely happens.
Connect Driver Cait: NEC Connect driver Cait is ready to pick up a rider.
Connect Driver Dana: NEC Connect driver Dana wants potential riders to know he used to use the service himself, and there's no shame in asking for a ride.
What sort of feedback do you hear from clients about NEC Connect?
Dana (NEC Connect driver): I hear all the time if it wasn't for this program, they wouldn't be able to complete drug court or probation requirements. They just want to have a second chance.
Cait: They are very grateful. Some people call us their angels and say they couldn't do it without us.
What do you wish potential clients knew about NEC Connect?
Cait: That it's for anybody involved in the justice system in the four counties (DeKalb LaGrange, Noble or Steuben), you don't have to be a Northeastern Center client, and it's completely confidential. We know you on first-name basis only.
Lesley: I want people to know it's not shameful to ask for a ride. I don't report to probation – it's confidential, and there's no shame in calling and asking for help getting to wherever you need to go. Most people are very glad they don't have to contact their friends or family, pay another service, or miss an appointment. It helps take that burden off them and helps them reach their goals.
What do you wish people in the community knew about NEC Connect?
Cait: This makes our community safer. By helping justice-involved individuals complete their recovery programs, we have fewer relapses, re-offenses and crimes. All because people aren't having to worry about something as simple as transportation. We also work with a lot homeless individuals, so we're a direct-action resource battling on both of those fronts.
Dana: I was a client myself, and I used NEC Connect for about nine months until I graduated from drug court. I wouldn't have made it through without this program.
How can I learn more or schedule a ride?
Lesley: To schedule a ride, give me a call at 260-925-8657. Just keep in mind that rides must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.
To learn more about NEC Connect, check out this recent press release.
