History of SAINT Volunteer Transportation

In 1983 two women in Fort Collins realized that many of their elderly friends and neighbors were dealing with transportation challenges as they aged in their homes. The women believed that other friends and neighbors would be willing to help if they knew to whom, how, and where to give that help.

One start-up grant later, SAINT was established as part of the Fort Collins Office on Volunteerism. In 1994, SAINT became part of Care-A-Van, Inc., Fort Collins’ nonprofit para-transit provider, and expanded the program to Loveland. When Fort Collins started Dial-A-Ride in 1998, SAINT became an independent 501(c)(3) agency.

Thirty-seven years after a SAINT volunteer gave the first ride, the fundamental concept of community volunteers driving their own cars to help their neighbors remains the hallmark of the SAINT program and drives our mission to help seniors and people with disabilities maintain their independence and self-sufficiency by providing connections to the community through personalized, door-to-door transportation.

More About SAINT

The SAINT program harnesses the power of community volunteers to provide door-to-door transportation to older adults (60+) and younger adults who cannot drive due to disability in Fort Collins and Loveland. In 2019, SAINT volunteers provided nearly 31,000 rides. These rides helped clients access the goods and services they need to remain independent and maintain a reasonable quality of life. Our amazing volunteers make this happen with the help of a small, dedicated paid staff.

SAINT had seen steady growth over the years until COVID-19 restrictions since March 2020 greatly impacted our operations. During the last half of March & April last year, our rides were reduced by about 80% as we shifted to providing essential transportation only – rides for grocery/pharmacy, medical and work purposes. As restrictions have lessened since the initial pandemic lockdown, SAINT has adjusted to provide services that comply with health department recommendations. In compliance with Federal Regulations for public transportation, SAINT continues to require that volunteer drivers and clients wear masks at all times in vehicles.  As of the end of April 2021, our operations have returned to about 50% of normal.