Breaking Barriers: Three Rivers Area Mentoring Receives Grant to Launch Transportation Program
Three Rivers Area Mentoring (TRAM) is celebrating an important milestone in its mission to support local youth. Thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Three Rivers Area Community Foundation, TRAM will launch its new Transportation Program, ensuring that more students have reliable access to after-school enrichment, mentoring, and academic support.
“We are deeply grateful to the Three Rivers Area Community Foundation for their generous support in helping us remove one of the biggest barriers for families—transportation home.” says Mary Yost, Executive Director of TRAM
Mary Yost, TRAM Executive Director and Jacob Huff, Program Director
Addressing a Critical Barrier
For years, TRAM has provided students in grades 2–8 with a safe, enriching environment after school, offering one-to-one mentoring, homework help, and fun, educational clubs. However, a consistent challenge has stood in the way for many families: transportation home at the end of the day.
Program dismissal falls between 5:30–6:00 PM, a time when many parents are still at work or unable to provide a ride. Families without access to reliable transportation often face a difficult choice: withdraw their child from the program or forgo participation altogether.
With this new grant funding, TRAM can begin addressing this challenge head-on by contracting with local transportation providers, such as the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority or area school bus services.
Expanding Opportunities for Students
By eliminating this transportation barrier, TRAM expects to:
- Increase student attendance by 25–30%
- Reduce program withdrawals caused by lack of transportation
- Expand its reach to serve a broader range of students across St. Joseph County
- Promote equity, ensuring that every child—regardless of family circumstances—can benefit from mentoring and after-school support
In total, the program will directly impact around 150 people, including 50 students and their families.
“We are committed to making this service a permanent part of our program, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive with us.” says Yost.
A Community Effort
This grant award reflects the power of community philanthropy. The Three Rivers Area Community Foundation invests in local organizations working to create meaningful change, and TRAM’s Transportation Program is a clear example of how strategic support can remove barriers and open doors for youth.
As TRAM prepares to launch this program for the 2025–2026 school year, families and students can look forward to expanded opportunities, greater equity, and brighter futures.
The Sturgis Area Community Foundation is a $30M foundation committed to serving the charitable needs of our community and enriching the quality of life for all people in the Sturgis area. Through philanthropic services, strategic investments, and community leadership, the Sturgis Area Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about now and for generations.
For more information on grants or donor services, email sacf@sturgisfoundation.org.
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