Our very own Amy Hill, new Transpo CEO, was introduced by Rotarian Jill Scicchitano and provided the program today. Telling us more about our local public transportation institution: Transpo. 124 employees (most of them union!), 29 fixed bus routes, and 17 paratransit vans, our local municipally owned transportation company has been serving our community for over 50 years.Recently, they have been modernizing their aging fleet and offering new programs such as the game day express route and free bus rides for K-12 students during the summer. The latter program exceeded their target numbers by over 100 percent!
With data indicating that 80% of their riders are transport-dependent, depending on bus routes to reach jobs and medical care. Their paratransit vans are vital for many people with different abilities.
Transpo is a vital public utility, and Amy told us about how the ongoing government shutdown is endangering a large chunk of their funding. They have been able to strike creative deals to keep things running so far, but their situation is a potent reminder of the local harm that can come from political brinkmanship in Washington. One wonders if a wall would do as much to help people as providing transportation to jobs and medical care does.
Fellow Rotarian Heather Goralski introduced Henriette Nyirarukundo Ngenga who Is a survivor of horrific atrocities against the Tutsi in Rwanda which began in April 1994, but also a walking miracle and author of Carrying Divine. In May of 2011 she met Kristin Ponce Baker at Granger Community Church who has partnered to write and publish the book. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of terror of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. One million lives were lost in 100 days. Henriette’s friends, family, neighbors- were slaughtered. Henriette’s story opens eyes to those of us who are blessed to live in this free land. Her deeply rooted joy, faith, and gratitude exude to anyone who takes the time to get to know her, and is a contagious gift to anyone who hears her story.
.jpg)
Jeff Breiler introduced the principals of the Upper Room Recovery Community as our program speakers. The Upper Room has been housed at the First United Methodist Church since 1984 and is one of the areas most successful recovery programs for men suffering from addiction to drugs and alcohol. Steve Toepp, Public Service Chair, began the program with a video presentation that explained the mission of the Upper Room along with testimonials about their experience with the 12 Step Program and the time to process their sobriety and their relationships. Rev. Mary Hubbard is the Senior Pastor at the Church and is very involved with the Upper Room, both as a spiritual advisor and the board members. She stated she has witnessed lives transformed and families restored because the men have adhered to the standard of he program. Richard Fox, Director of the Upper Room since 2014, reported that the 29 men in recovery have a safe and secure environment to live in. A social and support network are available 24 hours a day plus individuals support services for its residents. To learn more about how Upper Room helps people who truly want to change and move toward more productive and independent lives go to their website; 
.jpg)
John Pinter introduced our District Rotary Youth Exchange Representative, Willow Crisovan, as our program speaker. Willow, a Junior at Adams High School, kicked off her presentation with the selection process of Rotary International for the Exchange Program. This included setting up a blog and keeping a journal of her experiences. Willow was selected to go to Temuco, Chile where she lived with her host family just as her host brother left fot his Rotary Exchange in Pennsylvania. She attended a semi-private high school where the students wore uniforms and the teachers rotated between the classrooms. Willow made many friends both at school and among the other International Rotary Exchange students from Europe and the US. Willow took advantage of the in-country trips and especially enjoyed Easter Island. She also enjoyed visiting Temuco’s malls and markets with her new family and friends. Willow described her experience as a journey in self discovery and maturity with a new appreciation of Rotary both locally and globally. In addition to her fluency in Spanish her year in Chile gave her greater insight and empathy for international visitors. Willow, thank you for being such an outstanding representative for our Club.
