Retired and Senior Volunteer Program’s Provide-a-Ride

Daily Point of Light # 1188 Aug 24, 1998

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Oklahoma County, Inc., established the Provide-A-Ride Program (PAR) in October of 1994 to address the problems caused by the lack of available transportation for frail seniors.

Because of the lack of access to transportation, many older adults miss necessary medical appointments. These medical appointments vary from routine doctor visits to critical dialysis and radiation treatments. Some seniors need transportation two or three times each week.

Through RSVP's PAR program, drivers are matched with an elderly person based on compatibility. Since it implementation, PAR has grown to more than 51 volunteer drivers who transport more than 100 frail, low-income senior citizens to critical medical appointments. The drivers provide at least 200 rides per month while receiving no monetary compensation or stipends for their work.


jaytennier