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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCASA of Pinellas Program Support Center. Photo by Daria Mironova\/WMNF.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCASA of Pinellas Program Support Center. Photo by Daria Mironova\/WMNF.<\/p>\n
For many survivors of domestic violence, getting help isn\u2019t just about asking\u2014it\u2019s about being able to get there.<\/p>\n
Last week in St. Petersburg, national organizations, local officials, and community advocates came together to celebrate Hope Rides\u2019 expansion into Florida. The initiative focuses on removing one of the biggest challenges for survivors of domestic violence: transportation. Uber, along with Alliance for HOPE International and CASA Family Justice Center, leads the program by offering free rides to survivors who need life-saving services.<\/p>\n
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Community united<\/p>\n
The event brought together nonprofit leaders, elected officials, law enforcement, and victim advocates. U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor, St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch, and leaders from CASA Family Justice and Alliance for HOPE International were among those present.<\/p>\n
Lacking transportation often determines whether a survivor can get help or remain in danger. The growing partnership removes that barrier. Kathy Castor not only highlighted the program\u2019s benefits but also explained how some difficult situations start. \u201cA lot of stressors in people\u2019s lives\u2014like the soul-crushing cost of living\u2014unfortunately impact families. Sometimes that leads to acting out in the wrong, violent, or abusive way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ken Welch called the Hope Rides program a model. He said cities can use leadership, new ideas, and partnerships to meet urgent needs. The mayor shared a unique story. Back in the days, as county commission chair, Welch took an unusual step to better understand the community that he served: he drove for Uber. Between 2018 and 2019, he completed more than 1,000 rides. He maintained a 4.97 rating.<\/p>\n
Welch noted that the experience offered a perspective that public office alone could not. Instead of policy debates or political opinions, conversations in the car tended to center on daily life\u2014getting to doctor\u2019s appointments, making it to work, or ensuring children arrived at school on time.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver those 1,000 rides, no one was talking politics,\u201d he said. \u201cThey were talking about how to take care of their families and get where they needed to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
That same everyday need\u2014simply getting from Point A to Point B \u2014is what Hope Rides is designed to address.<\/p>\n
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Breaking down barriers to safety<\/p>\n
Since its national launch in 2025, the Hope Rides program has provided over 2,000 rides across 12 states. It covered more than 21,000 miles.<\/p>\n
In the past year, CASA of Pinellas helped over 3,000 people. Many of them struggled to get the services they needed. Hope Rides has already provided 310 rides in Pinellas County, connecting survivors directly to safety and support. Each ride has helped individuals reach shelters, attend legal appointments, or access critical resources.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Lariana Forsythe, CEO of CASA Pinellas and Marion Counties, discussed the real challenges they work with every day.\u201cTransportation is one of the biggest barriers our survivors face. When that barrier is removed, we see immediate impact\u2014people show up, they get help, and they begin to rebuild.\u201d<\/p>\n
The process starts by calling the organization\u2019s 24-hour hotline. From there, trained specialists work to understand the situation and determine the best way to help.<\/p>\n
\u201cCallers connect with an advocate who can either provide a ride right away or invite them into the Family Justice Center. There, they can talk through their needs,\u201d Forsythe said.<\/p>\n
The goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to reach safety and support services without added obstacles.<\/p>\n
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A one-stop support center<\/p>\n