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Rideshare program wins American Spirit Award

Photo of Charles Franklin, innovation project manager at the VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence, who developed a rideshare program for Veterans while at the VA Boston Healthcare System.
Charles Franklin, innovation project manager at the VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence, who developed a rideshare program for Veterans while at the VA Boston Healthcare System.
By Winfield Danielson, Public Affairs Officer

Congratulations to Charles Franklin, whose rideshare program received an American Spirit Award at the 76th Annual VAVS National Advisory Committee Meeting and Conference in Denver, Colorado.

While at the VA Boston Healthcare System, Franklin noticed that the rising cost of living was forcing many Veterans he worked with to move to areas lacking public transportation options. Working with VA Boston HCS leadership, he designed and implemented a rideshare program to help meet Veteran housing and employment needs.

Later, Franklin worked with the VA New England Center for Innovation Excellence to develop and grow the program, which officially launched nationally on Aug. 3, 2021, and now operates in all 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks across the country. 

One person can make a difference!  Learn more about the origins of the program at https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/99336/va-employee-revolutionizes-ridesharing-for-veterans/