VAN NUYS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Center for Living and Learning, which operates a non-profit vocational rehabilitation and training center in Southern California, relies solely on nationwide charitable car donations to change lives and steer down-on-their-luck adults and at-risk youth towards a better future.
Now car donations – and the future employment of an increasing number of troubled youths, welfare recipients and struggling single mothers enrolled in their professional training program – are being stalled by fluctuations in the economy, IRS reform and reports of fraudulent activity in the industry, reports Maria Alexander, Executive Director, herself a recovering substance abuser and graduate of CLL’s program.
“The decline began in 2005 when Congress limited vehicle donation deductions,” said Alexander. “But the drop-off in car donations for the last several years now threatens our ability to help get people off of assistance and back to work.”
Donors may be swayed by vacation vouchers and catchy jingles offered by leading automobile donation companies, but funding for those items eat away at the bottom line – hurting people who need it the most, says Alexander.
“The Center for Living and Learning has existed for more than a decade on donations of cars,” said Alexander. “Your car donation goes directly to transitioning people out of trouble and into work. We provide professional training, job search counseling and more to help people get back on their feet.”
73% of CLL’s clients found full-time employment in 2010. “I’ve been discharged off parole; I have a driver’s license and a car with insurance,” says graduate Rhonda. “My life has totally turned around. I can’t say enough about what this program has done for me.”
As recovery waivers and the jobless rate increases, the need for CLL services increases exponentially. “We’re being asked to help more people than ever,” says Alexander. “Those we’ve helped say they don't know where they would be without this program, but without more car donations, our future is in jeopardy.”
CLL is rolling out a grassroots campaign featuring people whose lives have been rebuilt by the program. They hope the public will see that unwanted cars and other motorized vehicles can help put Americans back to work.
For information on a charitable car donations, please call CLL's own Allstate Car Donations at (855) 227-7456 or visit http://www.cardonations.org/.