The Anti-Rape Task Force has received a much-needed addition to their fleet of vans. Thanks to a grant through the Ford Friendship Express Program, the volunteer service will receive a brand new 2006 Ford Freestar van.
This year was the second time in the last three years that M. Charles Cimasi, director of planning and development for Sub-Board I (SBI), applied for this grant.
The new Ford Freestar van will be used primarily on South Campus, aiding the Anti-Rape Task Force (ARTF) with their current van services.
"Primarily we'll use it to assist with ARTF services as a back up to assist with our current vans," said Robin Wiktorski, director of Health Education & Human Services (HEHS), a division of SBI. "It gives us a few more options for services for students to better accommodate demand."
Officials said they are very pleased with the acquisition, because it is another step towards improving student services.
"It allows us to expand the range of the service and better accommodate our services so when we have the inevitable repairs, it doesn't cripple us down to one vehicle," Cimasi said.
The van service is available to all UB students and staff and runs primarily out of South Campus. It is not offered on North Campus, however, because there is already a high flow of transit options available on that campus.
"The vans are only on South (Campus) because we found that the ARTF's van just followed the shuttle bus on north and therefore was better used on south," Cimasi said.
And while the van service is limited to one campus, the vans do provide a wide range of services to students and staff alike.
"The vans make regular stops outside of Goodyear (Hall), Main Loop and the Health Sciences Library seven days a week from 8 p.m. to midnight, about every 20 minutes," Wiktorski said. "It takes students and staff anywhere within 1.5 miles of South Campus, as well as anywhere on campus. A lot of students use it to get to off-campus housing."
"This will make our third vehicle to help us wherever we need it," Cimasi said.
Not only does this increase in vehicles provide improved convenience for students, but it also demands a greater need for volunteers.
"The Freestar is a regular size van and holds up to eight passengers, unlike our larger vans which hold up to fourteen," Wiktorski said. "We are always, and especially now, looking for more volunteers or work studies to help drive the vans."
The Ford Friendship Express Program began in 1996 as a way for Ford to give something substantial back to the communities that they serve. The program assists charitable and non-profit organizations throughout Western New York by donating vehicles. Locally, the program is a community service of the Western New York Ford Dealers Association.
"Western Ford represents all the auto dealers, such as Fuccillo and the like, who donate several vehicles a year through their community action called the Ford Friendship Express program," Cimasi said.
In addition to Sub Board I, some of the organizations on the list of past recipients include American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity of Buffalo, Meals on Wheels of Buffalo & Erie County, Salvation Army of Buffalo and Rochester, the Buffalo Zoo and the Ronald McDonald House, according to the WNY Ford Web site.
After donating the vehicles to qualifying programs, WNY Ford makes sure they stay in good shape.
"The vehicle is the property of SBI, but it is maintained by WNY Ford with regular inspections and repairs," Cimasi said. "They provide the vehicle and all the necessary markings on it."
Cimasi went on to explain that in order to receive the vehicle, ATRF had to prove that they were a charitable, nonprofit enterprise.
"We wrote in our intent for the vehicle and itemized specifically the ARTF under HEHS, thinking that this was the most in line with what they were looking for," Cimasi said.
And while the price is right, the main benefit of this new addition is the heightened safety that it brings to campus.
"We are always making efforts to help prevent any physical or sexual assault from strangers or people you know for both students and staff alike," Wiktorski said. "The addition of this van from Ford will certainly put us one step closer to that goal."
