Released on = April 2, 2007, 5:16 pm

Press Release Author = Good News Garage Connecticut

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = Good News Garage proudly awarded a vehicle to Shirley Carey
of New Haven, CT under the Empower New Driver Program. The program is designed to
assist those residing in the empowerment zone neighborhoods of New Haven who always
wanted to learn to drive and own a car, but never had the chance due to limited
financial ability.

Press Release Body = Good News Garage proudly awarded a vehicle to Shirley Carey of
New Haven, CT under the Empower New Driver Program. The program is designed to
assist those residing in the empowerment zone neighborhoods of New Haven who always
wanted to learn to drive and own a car, but never had the chance due to limited
financial ability. Car ownership will enable program recipients to access better
paying jobs, which were previously not possible due to transportation barriers.
Working in partnership, Good News Garage and Empower New Haven administer this
program, enabling low-income individuals to attend driving school (which consists of
two hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of driving time) earn their motor
vehicle drivers' license and receive a refurbished vehicle. All of these expenses
are paid for under the New Driver Program. In addition clients are provided a $500
stipend to be applied toward auto insurance.

Carey is the first recipient under this new program. Carey has overcome many
obstacles in her life and has taken a cab for years to arrive on time to a 6am shift
at a job in West Haven. The bus system does not start until later in the morning
rendering public transportation an inviable option given her early start time. A
single mother of two boys, Carey has been unable to afford to go to driving school
and purchase a vehicle - a situation not unlike many other hard working low income
families. Upon receiving the car Carey stated, "I can't express how much it means
for people who can't afford a car of their own to be able to get such a generous
gift. I thank you very much." Carey received a 1992 Toyota Tercel with 120,000
miles, just in time for Christmas.

Good News Garage was recently awarded the Workpower Partner Award for its multiple
years of service in the empowerment neighborhoods at Empower New Haven's Annual
Meeting in December. Since partnering in 2002, Good News Garage and Empower New
Haven have awarded 157 vehicles.

Good News Garage, an affiliate of Lutheran Social Services of New England, accepts,
repairs and awards donated vehicles to individuals and families in need. Recipients
use the vehicles as a "wheels to work" tool to get more hours at work, access higher
paying jobs and affordable child and healthcare. For more information or to donate
a car, call toll-free 877-GIVE-AUTO or donate online at www.goodnewsgarage.org.



Web Site = http://www.goodnewsgarage.org

Contact Details = Contact Lisa Farren
Marketing Coordinator
Good News Garage
860-218-2970
lfarren@goodnewsgarage.org