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Vital Volunteers

Do you believe freedom of movement is a basic human need?

Drive with us as a Vital Volunteer!

As a volunteer, you will help older adults and people with disabilities maintain their independence and connections to the community.

Submit Volunteer Interest Form

Contact Operations Manager Adriana Torres at atorres@ViaColorado.org or call 720.804.3693.

How To Become A Vital Volunteer

1. Apply to be a Vital Volunteer

  1. Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.
  2. The Volunteer Manager will contact you and invite you to fill out a full Volunteer Application.
    1. The Volunteer Application process involves a background check.

2. Complete Training

Training takes about a week to complete. Training doesn’t need to be completed on consecutive days. You can plan your training with the training team.

Day 1: Orientation

In-person Orientation takes 8 hours to complete and includes an overview of Via Mobility Services, Drug & Alcohol testing (our drivers are required by law to be drug-free), and getting a badge to swipe into Via’s facility.

Day 2: Safety First Training

In-person training with Via’s trainers takes 8 hours, covering topics such as best practices to help people who use wheelchairs in and out of a vehicle for our door-through-door paratransit service.

Day 3: Defensive Driving 

Defensive Driving is an 8-hour-long in-person training or 4-hour online course (the course is free for volunteers). You will receive a certificate for completing this course, regardless of how you choose to complete it. Some insurance companies will provide you with a discount for having this certification, so remember to ask and find out!

Day 4: PASS Class

The PASS (Passenger Assistance, Safety, Sensitivity) class is a 1-day in-person training or 1-hour-long online course. The PASS Class is free to take online.

Day 5: Pre- and Post-Trip Training

One-on-one in-person training for about an hour with the support of a Via Trainer while you learn how to drive one of our Prius vehicles and complete the pre- and post-trip processes. You can choose to drive your own vehicle if you prefer, but you will still learn about our pre- and post-trip processes.

You will also meet with the Volunteer Manager for about 30 minutes to talk about our policies and procedures, including how to use a tablet to complete a route.

Day 6: Ride-Along

Ride-along for 4 hours as a passenger while a Volunteer Trainer drives to discover what the hands-on part of volunteering with Via looks like.

Day 7: Driving Your First Route

Next, you will drive your first 4-hour route while a Volunteer Trainer rides along with you as your passenger.

Volunteer Interest Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Become a Vital Volunteer driver for Via so you can help older adults and people with disabilities with their transportation needs.

Why volunteer with Via?
  • Drive a hybrid electric Prius or your own car
  • Make a schedule that works for you
  • Mobile tablets with GPS
  • Mileage reimbursement is offered for volunteers using their own cars
  • Backup and support of Via’s Call Center and safety and training departments
  • Draw on Via’s decades of transportation experience
  • Access Via’s knowledge of serving people with mobility limitations
  • Training and orientation (training involves completing an in-person orientation, CTAA PASS class, and National Safety Council Defensive Driving class — check with your insurance company to see if you can save money once you pass this class!)
  • Liability insurance (supplemental or comprehensive)
What are the volunteer driver qualifications?
  • A little time to spare (at least 4 hours at a time)
  • Enjoy older adults and those living with disabilities
  • Safe driving record
  • Background checks and drug screens (including marijuana) are done before volunteer work begins and also on an annual basis.
  • Honest and reliable
  • Good cognitive and awareness skills
  • Comfortable with technology
  • Know the local community
  • Follow Via’s volunteer driver policies and procedures
How many hours or days do I have to volunteer?
  • Any day Monday through Friday.
  • Via volunteers are asked to commit to a 4-hour route
  • Example 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. ,10a.m. to 2p.m. or 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
What if I have more questions?

For questions regarding Via’s volunteer driving program, please contact Operations Manager Adriana Torres at atorres@ViaColorado.org or call 720.804.3693.

 

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