Growing up in the foster system I always understood that life would be a bit rougher for me than most. Simple activities such as going to college, getting a job, building my credit or getting my own home would be an uphill battle that I was prepared to tackle. The first biggest obstacle in my way at the time was my lack of a vehicle. With big dreams for my future yet not having access to a vehicle life's challenges tended to be harder, and my lack of knowledge and options on cars also had me weary. Knowing that a reliable running car would be pricey yet what I needed for better opportunities such a big purchase seemed quite intimidating. With very limited options at the time I am so grateful for Ms.Susan and being able to participate as a cadidate with Wheels of Success. Not only was I provided a great affordable vehical but also an educational course to help me keep my car in the best of shape and access to trustworthy mechanical services, boosting my confidence as a car owner. Wheels of Success was one of the best opportunities that helped push me not only into getting a better career but also in building my credit. Five years later as I prepare to buy my first home I want to scream a joyful THANK YOU to the whole team at Wheels of Success for being one of Tampa's most impactful programs and making real time change in our lives. From the amazing people working as volunteers,to the counseling and mechanical staff,investors and partners (special thanks to AAA and GTE), and of course the Ms.Susan Jacobs ,thank you all!. Sincerely, Jasmine
I am writing this letter to express my deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks for the incredible help obtaining a car. This generous act has not only transformed my life but has also opened up a world of possibilities for me and my children.
Before receiving this car, I faced countless challenges in getting to work and caring for my family. The lack of reliable transportation was a constant obstacle, limiting my ability to provide for my loved ones and pursue my dreams. Your kindness and compassion have lifted this burden, allowing me to focus on what truly matters, and just steps away from hopefully getting my family back together.
This car is more than just a vehicle; it is a symbol of hope, opportunity, and independence. It has given me the freedom to navigate the complexities of daily life with ease and confidence. I am no longer confined to the limitations of public transportation or relying on others for rides. I can now arrive at work on time, pick up my children, without delay, and run errands efficiently.
Moreover, this car has instilled a sense of pride and self-sufficiency within me. I am grateful for the chance to contribute to my family's well-being and to be a role model for my children. They see the hard work and determination I put into my job, and also seeing the struggles that I've been through and now they witness the rewards of perseverance firsthand.
I am eternally grateful for your unwavering commitment to helping individuals like me. Your organization embodies the spirit of giving and the power of positive change. I am truly blessed to have crossed paths with such a compassionate and caring organization.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this life-changing gift. I will forever cherish the memory of your kindness and the positive impact it has had on my life and my family's future.
With heartfelt gratitude, and the words I cannot even express to thank you for everything you guys have done.
sprite kilen
Wheels of Success has truly helped me improve my life. Having reliable transportation has helped me tremendously. I am a house manger in sober living. Being able to take the ladies at my house to meetings and to church, it's been such a blessing to watch them grow in recovery. I am all about giving back to the recovery community. I sponsor ladies and now I can get up and go to meet them and make sure I am reliable and dependable.
I am also able to move around and advance in my job from lead cashier to management. My boss now knows not only am I reliable but I have reliable transportation to move into a better position when one becomes available at another location within my company.
After having the car for a year, I had an issue that needed to be repaired, and they helped me with that. I was also able to get assistance with my insurance and outstanding tolls that I didn't know I had so I could get my registration released, so I could update my tag.
Previous Stories
We never know if or when we are going to need help. I was very much in need when Wheels of Success came to the rescue.. I work for Publix in Tampa. But I travel 80 miles a day to and from Dade City. I am a veteran and I have what some would consider a disability. I , however, do not. I.was in a car accident in November. The car I relied on was totaled. I was able to borrow my brother-in-law’s truck while he was in the hospital.The truck wasn’t doing well, either.But, by the Grace of God it made it unto I could get another one. I bought a used car with the insurance money. It drove well on the way home. The mechanic I’d taken with me to check it out couldn’t fix it. So there it sat. I knew I needed the faith of a mustard seed. My friend, Julie Jenkins, nominated me and my prayers became reality on Friday the 13th when Wheels of success presented me with a beautiful 2007 Pontiac G5. This car only had 61,800 miles on it. What a blessing! What an awesome, organization. Wheels of Success saved my job!Thank you, once again, Susan Jacobs @ “Wheels”. And, thank you, Julie Jenkins for nominating me..
Wheels of Success has been a blessing to my family! As a DV Survivor who suddenly became a single parent of 3, our lives were unexpectedly changed. Being solely responsible for everything for my family while at the same time trying to recover and understand our new normal is difficult. Although I have a vehicle, there were much needed repairs that deemed my vehicle unsafe to drive. However, having no choice I had to continue to drive the vehicle, all the while praying to make it everywhere I needed it to take me. My kids must attend school, doctor appointments and therapy. I have to go to work, to the grocery store, and other required errands. We were referred to WOS by my case manager. This experience has truly changed our lives. I can drive with confidence knowing that I won't risk being stranded somewhere with my kids. Knowing that they would work with me and help me even if they couldn't repair my vehicle but would help me acquire a different one was also reassuring. I feel confident that they have my best interest at heart. I am forever, grateful!
Before I had a vehicle, life as a single father was a relentless juggling act. Every task, from grocery shopping to getting my daughter to school, felt like a logistical nightmare. I vividly remember the stress of coordinating multiple buses, carrying bags, and rushing to make it to appointments on time. The lack of transportation limited our options, forcing us to rely on unreliable public transit,expensive taxis, or other people, often leading to missed opportunities and strained finances.
The absence of a vehicle compounded the challenges of being a single parent, amplifying feelings of isolation and exhaustion. Simple errands became monumental undertakings, draining both my energy and patience. Trips that should have taken minutes stretched into hours, leaving little time for bonding with my daughter or pursuing personal interests. The constant struggle to balance work, childcare, and transportation needs took a toll on my mental and physical well-being, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and defeated.
However, everything changed when I finally acquired a vehicle. Suddenly, the world opened up before us, offering newfound freedom and flexibility. With reliable transportation at our disposal, mundane tasks became manageable, and opportunities for adventure and exploration emerged. No longer bound by the constraints of bus schedules or the limitations of our own two feet, we could seize the day with confidence and enthusiasm. The car became more than just a mode of transportation; it symbolized hope, empowerment, and the promise of a brighter future for me and my baby. Thank you Wheels Of Success for changing our lives .
Wheels of success saved my life and my future. As a domestic violence survivor among other trauma, I had lost everything. Trying to survive in a new town with no vehicle and dealing with severe PTSD learning to navigate town via walking, biking or bus was extremely difficult unreliable and unsafe. My employment was limited. My education was limited and my hope gone. I bought my car through Wheels Of Success’s ABC program. And what a life changer that became! I was able to finish school successfully by being there on time I was able to get better employment out of the neighborhood that I was residing in and I actually was able to move to a better part of town, which would’ve been impossible without a reliable vehicle, reliable transportation. The support and stability that a vehicle has brought me has changed the course of my future and not just for me but my children also. I think it is overlooked at how important having a vehicle is. Some say oh it’s easy just take a bus without understanding how unsafe the bus actually is how vulnerable you are as a young woman with children standing on the side of the road. I cannot thank Susan and staff with Wheels Of Success enough for what they helped provide me with. From the top of the hill please donate to this program because it is beyond worth it. It’s saving lives. It’s changing futures!
Where do I start! Wheels of success came into my life at my hardest time. I was going through a process of being evicted from my home due to always having to fix my truck. I just couldn't get everything on track. While fighting to keep my home, my leasing office gave me information to Bay Area Legal Services and the legal service there sent me information about wheels of success. I was reached out to and was set up to do a class with them and learn more about cars and better ways of taking care of them as well learn about what and how they offer services. Let me tell you this was the best thing that has happened to me in years!!
Pushing ahead, I was given a call to bring my truck in to have a diagnostic done to see exactly what was all wrong with my vehicle. After my lovely lady Darcy gave me call and told me that they could help me and could fix my baby.**Thank God** I cried...
Now, since my truck has been fixed I will honesty say this has been a true blessing in helping me get back on my feet and I was able to keep my home.
Wheels of success I loudly Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping push me forward!! I look forward to continuing to work with you guys and learning much more!!
My car would consistently break down when I was driving or just not start for me. I would be late to work. I had to uber/rely on other people to get to and from work and get my kids to and from school. My car was consistently in the shop to be fixed and after getting it fixed it would break down again, it was stressful, and I was struggling. My car finally gave up and it was an even bigger loss for me because I was coming out of pocket for rides, I had to borrow money just to get by. I applied for the wheels program and was chosen to receive a car after my car stopped working. I am now able to get to work without any issues and I don't have to worry about my car breaking down with my kids in the car or being able to pick my kids up on time, etc. because my car won't start. I now have a reliable car and it has been a huge weight off my shoulders to have a vehicle that works.
Wheels of Success has done so much for myself and my family. I was the victim of domestic violence and was in a really tough situation with my then husband and two children. My children were removed because of the violence in the home, and when my husband went to jail, I suddenly became homeless and without any income whatsoever. I was working so hard to rebuild my life for myself and my children, but one thing was holding me back from reaching the next step in life: transportation.
I didn't know what I was going to do. I was riding a bike to my job and going to school remotely, but I needed a car to be able to be fully reunited with my children, and progress in my career and education. I reached out to Wheels of Success, and through their program, and the car they provided me with, doors have been opening for us that never would have been possible. I have been able to get a second, better paying job; moved into my own home; I have an upcoming internship and graduation is right around the corner; and the best development of all: my children are coming home.
Sometimes in life all you need is someone that believes in you and can give you that little extra help so that you can start believing in yourself too. This is what Susan and Darcy at Wheels of Success did for me. In one of the darkest times of my life when the obstacles in front of me seemed insurmountable, they provided me with the ability to provide for my family and truly be independent. I will be forever grateful for Wheels of Success.
I am a single mother of 8 and life without a car was very hard. I would have to depend on public transportation to get myself and my children to school, work and appointments. I would wake up at 4:00 A.M. to get my children ready for school and myself for work to be able to catch the city bus at 5:00 A.M to get everyone to school and daycare on time, so that I can have enough time for the 2 mile walk after dropping my children to their destinations to make it to work on time by 7:30am. There were times where the bus was running late or was too full and would pass us and we would have to wait for the next bus and pray that one would not be full. If it was a raining day, it was even worse. I would cry and pray that I would be able to get a vehicle, so that my family would not have to depend on public transportation and also to not have to wake up so early in the morning to catch public transportation. My friend who knew how hard it was to move around without a vehicle with my family told me that she referred me to a program called Wheels of Success. My children and I was blessed with an amazing vehicle that is big enough for my whole family to be able to get around without the stress of depending on public transportation. I love my vehicle. When I came home with the vehicle my children had no idea that I had a big Surprise for them. When they came outside the look on their faces was priceless and something I will always remember. I had tears of joy on my face to see how happy they were. My 7-year-old said, " mommy we do not have to walk or catch the bus anymore." I looked at her and said, "yes baby, we do not have to get up so early and walk anymore." The first thing they wanted to do was go for a ride. I loaded all of my children up and we went for a ride. I drove them across the Howard Franklin bridge just to enjoy some time as a family. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw the smiles and excitement on my babies face was priceless. to know we were blessed through Wheels of Success to be able to get my children to school on time, or to their doctor appointments, but most important to be able to just drive and spend time as a family. I am now able to drive to work to make it on time to without the stress of being late if the city bus is full or running late. Wheels of success has been amazing and a blessing to myself and my family.
There’s no way to easily summarize my experience with Wheels of Success. Struggling with being homeless and couch surfing, also losing my car due to cutbacks at work , I found WOS working a 12hour overtime shift watching a news segment on my employers tv and wasn’t disappointed. My supervisor and I reached out to Susan and her team who carefully assessed my situation and found countless help and opportunities to keep me going . I received my car and additional social help and am grateful for the increase of peace just being able to drive again has brought. Since turning to wheels my life has turned around completely to the point I cry tears of joy frequently because I still can’t believe how much they have helped me through a rough time . This was a life changing experience that caused a domino effect, I am now in a new apartment, with my car and recently was promoted to a new department at my job for being able to go the distance and continue working.
Wheels of Success has really made a huge impact/change for me and my family lives. I lost transportation a few months ago, didn’t know what I was going to do. I was referred to Wheels of Success, done the process and literally within one month they got me into a car. Now I am able to get back to work, pick up extra hours and also be able to take my kids around as needed. This program has really been a huge blessing and huge support to the cause of my life. Thank you so much to all that helped made this all possible!!
Hello, my name is Laila and I just wanted to express my gratitude for the Wheels of Success Inc., program! I am a single mom of three daughters ages: 16, 11, and 7 and have had a very hard time finding ways to get groceries, take them to school, and health appointments. I actually live in an Apartment that is about 2 miles from the main road and in order to get to the grocery store I have to literally walk across a bridge that has no space for pedestrians! Every day, I was afraid for my life walking across that bridge! I also am so excited that I can actually allow my daughters to participate in extracurricular activities at school or join sports because now mom can drive them to and from! Thank you so much for the amazing opportunity to improve the quality of mine and my children's lives!
Many Blessings!
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would. I'm a single mother of two small children and I was referred to Wheels of Success for help with a vehicle because my vehicle at the time was no longer in working conditions. Wheels of Success has been a blessing to my family in more ways than just a vehicle. Not only was I able to get into a vehicle that fit my family's needs, but I was also able to keep my second job. During back-to-school I was not able to purchase all the needed essentials for my children and Wheels of Success referred me to an organization that not only provided school supplies, but also uniforms, clothing and shoes for both my children. In addition, because of my work hours I would not be able to pick up said items and Susan picked everything up for us so we didn't miss out on the blessing. I am currently in the middle of a housing situation and Wheels of Success has been acting as a middleman in this process, doing what they can within their resources to aid in my family's needs. It truly has been a blessing working as a team with Wheels of Success and I pray that, in one way or another, I can continue to work with them, even when I no longer need their help. It really is an organization that keeps giving beyond a vehicle.
My employer referred me to this company. I had to wait for a grant to come in but i was called and issued a vehicle i was so excited to get the call. I am so grateful for Susan. She has made this process so easy. I haven't had a vehicle in a very long time and i have been catching the bus to and from work so this is so needed and much appreciated. I can't say thank you enough to Susan and wheels for success.
I have seen myself in a really ruff and hard place after my motor on my car completely gave out on me. It was very hard to get to work and to get my child to school. unfortunately, throughout the summer we sat home and wasn't able to have no fun adventures. I had a hard time trying to get to places or even work and catching rides or Ubers to even do groceries. This has made a huge change in my life. I no longer have to be late to work and find myself hoping not to lose my job because of being late every other day due to no transportation. I thank Wheels of Success for their tamandus efforts to make sure I was able to arrive to work on time and able to get my kids to school.
My name is Ashley, I wake up Monday through Friday at four thirty am to get my children ready for school and myself ready for work. we leave the apartment by five thirty am. so i can walk each of them to school and then myself to work. after work I meet up with my oldest who has started walking to help pick up my other children. then we walk home. I help with homework, make dinner and kiss them all goodnight. before leaving to walk from Tampa to Temple Terrance for night job. with cost of rent two jobs are needed plus cost of food, hygiene's. I was just about to be let go due to how late I arrive each day from walking to work. I tried the pubic Transportaion it is no easy or price effective for us. how did we get to this part in life. we got away from a bad person. we left everything. we have been so worried about what would happen if i couldn't work. but today is the day to pick up my children from school with a vehicle a actual car. thanks to all the donors and sponsor who made this happen. wheels of success is keeping me working and my children can sleep a little later. thank you everyone. I am sorry or going on. I just am so thankful for wheels of success and all you sponsors. I just wanted you to know what my children and I have waited for and done to get here today. thank you.
I never imagined in a million years I would be a victim of Domestic Violence. My abuser took and destroyed the vehicle I was working so hard to pay on. Suddenly I was left with NOTHING...... 3 kids, no car and job I couldn't get to. I was referred to Wheels of Success and they changed my life! I was gifted a vehicle and it has made such a difference! I could never thank Susan and Harry enough. Susan is amazing!! They seriously changed get my life!! I appreciate everything!!! This is such an amazing organization, they help so many people!!!
I really appreciate Wheels of Success! Please allow me to tell you why. My name is Andre, an Army veteran and I was struggling to get to work without a car. I was catching Uber and the bus on occasions which is not really convenient time wise. I also have 2 teenagers who live about an hour away that I was unable to visit often. I was referred to Wheels of Success by a worker with St Vincent de Paul who heard my struggles and mentioned how wonderful Susan at Wheels of Success was with helping working veterans obtain cars. I submitted my application and was contacted by Susan a month or so later. She invited me to take a car class and learn more about the program. I attended the class and learned so much about car maintenance and what it takes to keep a car running well. Fortunately, about a week later she called me and told me the good news. She had a car for me and I was so elated! I was thinking of how I can now work overtime at my job and drive to go see my two teenagers who live on the other side of town! This was truly a blessing in my life at a time when I was unsure of what was next for me. Wheels of Success has blessed me with the ability to take my life to the next level and I am beyond grateful for Susan and her Wheels of Success program! She has helped many others before me and is still helping people without transportation get in a car so they can get to work and do things that are nearly impossible to do without a vehicle. I highly recommend Wheels of Success and hope you support them!
I really want to start off my testimony with how blessed I am because of wheels of success and how tender hearted Susan is. She helped me so much with such an amazing vehicle for me and my 2 year old daughter sabrina. I was at my wits end and almost gave up she saved me and my daughter from my domestic violence relationship and I freed myself. The day I got this car I cried so much as I was leaving because I couldn’t believe it was happening to me. I’m so grateful for Susan and her hard work she does everyday to help our community with such a necessity to get ahead in life. I been such a happier mother everyday I wake up and give thanks to God that I can take my daughter on mommy and daughter adventures or even just go to the grocery store with her or buy her clothes at stores. Before I was spending so much money on ubers I was constantly trying to get out of the loop hole of living paycheck to paycheck and being stuck in a toxic relationship. Thank you so much Susan for being so kind to me today I am free and independent and my dreams are BIG!! I’m unstoppable!
As a Airforce Vet, that had lost my job during the covid pandemic with a cascade of other events, my family and I ended up without a home or a vehicle. Susan and her npr of Wheels of Success have been a blessing. Being able to travel for work and school as been a blessing.
Godsend! True a blessing. I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did, without the help of Wheels Of Success. For it’s not a nonprofit that gives a hand out but hand up. It gives everyone the opportunity to learn responsibility when it comes to maintaining automobile care. Being in Florida. You professionally cannot grow without a car. Wheels for Success Organization provides you with the knowledge to hold you accountable for the assistance receive. Being an organization that has successfully maintain for over 20 years I do encourage a lot of nonprofits to follow suit when it comes to the organization skills in teaching individuals to gain this knowledge of being responsible on their own.
When I was referred to Wheels of Succes I was between a rock and a hard place. I decided to return to school for massage therapy during the pandemic. Shortly after I lost my car to an no fault accident.
I had considered quitting, taking the bus to work and school took a toll on me in all aspects. But I was more than half way through the program so I couldn't stop.
After seeing the guidance counselor I had a little more faith in completing what I started especially after I was referred to Wheels!
From there I completed school, got licensed and received the perfect car! I was even featured as a success story on the local news!
Thanks to Wheels of Success I am living the life of my dreams and working to build my very own massage practice!
Wheels of Success, Susan and David were life savers for our family. We had lost everything during the pandemic.
Our Case Manager had us rea h out to Susan and the they were able to get us into a reliable and very affordable vehicle very quickly.
We would not be able to be where we are now without them. They are AMAZING! We will never ever forget them for what they have done for us.
Most definitely would recommend them to everyone!
During an exceptionally hard time for our family, our car decided to give up on us. With no way to get to work, or anywhere else, we didn’t know what to do. We were referred to Wheels of Success and got to meet Susan. In short order she had us back up and in another vehicle! Without her and Wheels, there is no way our family would have made it through!
The best creation for current times. As living in a state that public transportation is very unreliable. A multitude of job opportunities of group is missed. This organization is one of a kind. The fact that it’s not a hand out but a hand up I am not embarrass. When the strong fall in hard times the hardest thing to do is to ask for help. Thank God that this organization exist.
Wheels of Success has made a huge impact in all of the positive life changes I have made over the past two years. I have four young daughters between the ages of 3-12 and we were without a vehicle for 3 years. Metropolitan Ministries encouraged me to reach out to Ms. Susan Jacobs and I truly thank God every day that I did. I was using public transportation to run my household and as life progressed that was becoming more and more difficult. A month or so before Christmas of 2019 I was notified that I would most likely be receiving a car before Christmas. I absolutely could not believe it. I had just finished up my patient care technician program and had gotten hired at nursing home and was concerned as to how I was going to get the kids to school and make it to work by 645 am. God showed up like He always does and sure enough the day before Christmas Eve I drove out to Tampa to pick up my 2015 Black Hyundai Tucson. I was blown away when I saw the vehicle, it was practically brand new. I cannot sing my praises loud enough for the Wheels of Success program and all they have done for me and many many others. I will never ever forget this God given opportunity
My life was forever changed by Susan and The Wheels of Success. I am a single mom of two daughters. I was in a homeless shelter but still working and staying positive. My daughter's and I had to navigate on foot close to 6 miles a day in the heat. I had blisters on my feet. My youngest would be overcome with the heat and many times I had to pick her up and carry her on my back to make it back to the shelter. I reached out to Susan for help. If only I had a car, I could safely navigate to the girls to school and myself to work. The wheels of success made it all happen. In less than a month I was in a vehicle and in a home! They even helped me furnish it. We are thankful everyday.
Previous Stories
My life was forever changed by Susan and The Wheels of Success. I am a single mom of two daughters. I was in a homeless shelter but still working and staying positive. My daughter's and I had to navigate on foot close to 6 miles a day in the heat. I had blisters, my youngest would be overcome with the heat. I reached out to Susan for help. If only I had a car I could safely navigate to school and work. The wheels of success made it all happen. In less than a month I was in a vehicle and in a home! They even helped me furnish it. I am thankful everyday.
Excellent program the 1999 Honda Civic EX Coupe I received from the program helps me get to college and required appointments. Before getting the car it took me a long time to get to required appointments and college. Before getting the car I would be late to college because the bus was frequently late. In January of 2020 I had a college class that was from 6 P.M. to 8:40 P.M. and that was the only time available for that class. If I did not have a car it would take between an hour and a half and two hours to get home. The reason is because I would have to take multiple buses to get home and then walk about 30 minutes after getting off the final bus.
Because of the car I was able to arrive home within 20-25 minutes maximum after leaving class at 8:40 P.M. Shortly after getting the car there was a day where I had to go to multiple places after my classes at college. I got all the errands done within about two hours. If I did not have the car the errands would have probably taken between 6 and 8 hours to complete no exaggeration. The car will continue to help me in December of 2020 or January of 2021 when I start an internship because I will be graduating college in May of 2021. I had the car for a little over a year and it is running just as good if not better than when I first got it. The engine runs really quite and the transmission still shifts really smooth. People I know personally keep telling me I will outgrow this car in a few years they are wrong. I am keeping this car until it dies(engine or transmission failure).
The car I received from the program is my dream car I care about longevity, gas mileage and average repair cost. This car meets all requirements and I think this car is better than the newer Honda Civics 2014 and newer. I like how the car has a regular automatic transmission(non CVT), non turbocharged engine and has long lasting drum brakes compared to disc brakes on newer Civics. By keeping this car my insurance rates will be lower because it's an older car and this is important because insurance is expensive as a younger driver. I am extremely grateful for this car because most of my childhood when I lived with my mom we did not have a car and going places was tough. I am grateful for having a car that runs and absolutely will not get rid of the car before it dies as explained earlier. It does not matter if I had the money to comfortably buy a brand new car or won the lottery jackpot or similar contest(wont happen odds too low as a result I refuse to ever play) I am still and I mean it when I say I am keeping the car until the very very end no matter how much money I ever have. This is not because it is my first car I will keep all cars I own in the future until the very very end. I really do mean it when I say this is my dream car the people I live with and my friends know that too.
This program had it's unique way of allowing my family & I to get back on our wheels. :) Being a single mother with a teenage boy was difficult to fulfill for to/from school, activities, work, and all motherly duties. I applied once before for this program about one year ago but had to fix my finances before I became a recipient in Jan 2019.
Transportation started to get worst for me right before receiving a call that there's a car waiting for me. This help allowed no more walking/riding bikes to school along with not having to leave the house extra early to beat bus routes; and not having to walk a mile to work from bus stop because my job is not on bus route. It was and still is such a smooth transition with warm welcoming hugs and opportunities to now allow mobility. Being able to volunteer some of my time each month to show my gratitude to Wheels of Success, Inc for the big massive hole they filled is most fulfilling. Kudos go out to all that make Wheels Of Success, Inc revolve! I LOVE my car as well...Volkswagen Bug...Thank You!!!
My name is Jessica Bishop, a happy, proud car owner because of The Wheels Of Success Program. December 2018 me & my children had a 2016 Hyndaui Elentra given to us; at The 12 Days of Christmas give away by Wgeels of Success. Last week September 30, 2019 we made our last payment. Making us car owners!! Grade A program, when you put in the work, time & give back. I have earned two raises in my year of employment. Been able to take my children to doctor appointments, dance & family outings.
Thank you Wheels Of Success!!!
I was presented with a "new to me" 2002 Honda Accord in March of 2016. I had recently earned a promotion, but due to the additional job responsibilities, I was told I had 30 days to get a car, or forfeit my promotion. After being referred by United Way, I was stunned when Susan called me just three days later to inform me that I would be receiving a car! My car has improved my life,my children's lives and the lives of those I serve at work. My commute used to be an hour and 10 minutes, 2 different buses and 2 miles of walking each way. Now my commute time is 12 minutes or less! This allows me to spend more quality time with my son, and I am home in time to cook a healthy meal, rather than order take-out. My son was about to enter high school when I received my Honda (that I named Grace!) We have been able to attend all of his high school functions, including homecoming, football games, orientation and more. I save money because now I can drive to the grocery store and get fresh food instead of being limited to "just what I can carry" from the "dollar store", the only food store within walking distance. We are able to go to preventative doctor appointments and recently, my son and his friends enjoyed a day at Chasco Fiesta, something that would have been hard to impossible to do prior to Grace. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't feel grateful for Grace and the ways that "she" has improved our lives. I thought I understood how much my life would change when Susan handed me the keys, but I had no idea that those keys would truly be my keys to success!
i'm especially excited to be able to do more for the people in my immediate community
and with this gift i can.
THE GIFT
Its always the season for giving here as THE WHEELS OF SUCCESS offers a two-fold gift to a Desert Storm Veteran, Angela Gilmore. "i'm gracious for the like-new Honda Accord gift and the amenities that accompany it; such as the maintenance and continual support toward staying a successful car owner through out my next car owning experience," Angela gleamed at the wheel of her new car. She is not just a government employee whose position depends on reliable transportation she fervently serves in the church choir as well as prayer ministry but found all the walking day or night, to be in attendance, taking a toll on her arthritic knees. Now shes elated about dedicating the gift as a gift to help some one else. " its not just to keep my job which depends heavily on being able to travel, but also will enable me to be more useful in the service of mission and outreach." Thanks a lot to all the staff and volunteers at Wheels of Success
Since getting my car i have kept stable income. Also i have the ability to take my kids to different parks as we love the outdoors.
My family and myself received a car from wheels of success.. wheels of success a great organization. I am so happy and pleased.
I heard of wheels of success thur metropolitan ministries they accepted me in the car program they gave me a Nissan maxima 2003 it really helped me get back in forth from work in also to class to finish my Ged in all so too look for a better job I love the program it helped me out so much i no longer have to wait on bus too get to appointments in also helped me out picking my daughter up on time from school
such a wonderful organization. i highly stand for what these wonderful people do. i was lost for direction and traveling by foot/bus. I was taking jobs that were given to me and reciveing less than min wage from time to time. I had been bus bound my entire life after a life changing incident where my mother lost her car. once the car was lost the bus it was for us all. Now im a cellphone and electronics repiar technician (probably one of the best in tampa bay) i used to carry 30 lbs of tools in a tool bag and my laptop and other things in a backpack on my back. sometimes would carry fresh parts on public transportation or on foot. i did sometimes break brand new parts. that was horrible. however i recieved a call one day after filling an application and the call was wheel of success. They told me i had beed approved for a car and must attend a car care class and insure myself. i got the quote, and surprisingly was given a vehicle. since given the vehicle life has been a tremendous learning experience and a tremendous adventure. i no longer had the time restraints of the bus and bus schedules. i could carry tools and parts in my trunk. i was able to go mobile and fix more cell phones abroad. its honestly greatly appreciated what has been done for me.just want to say thanks Wheels of Success. thanks much for everything i definately dont mind volenteering with them even when i exhausted. again thanks wheels.
I am a single mother in Pinellas and while most of my kids have grown up, I started over with my son, Brandon who is 7 years old. He is the light of my life and my whole world but struggles with Autism and has special therapeutic needs. Without a vehicle I had to depend on friends and my older children for rides EVERYWHERE. I could not stand being a burden on anyone, every time I had to ask my friends and family for rides it caused me a lot of anxiety. I had no choice the rides were needed to get to work or get necessitates like groceries when I couldn’t get there by bus. Although I was working full time without Wheels of Success it would have been impossible for me to get a vehicle due to my having poor credit, as well as no money for a down payment and high monthly car payments. My finances were already stretched to the max providing specialty therapy and all the extra needs that a child with Autism requires.
I am a very giving person and always a good friend, wanting to do nice things for all of those around me. As a Wheels of Success applicant i saw the organization’s needs and wanted to help. I came in for countless hours on many Saturdays, despite needing to obtain rides every time. The CEO saw my organizations skills, passion and willingness to go the extra mile and talked to me about a position with Wheels of Success. In order to take the position I needed a reliable vehicle, especially since I live in Pinellas and Wheels of Success’ office is in Tampa. I was presented with my “New to Me” 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer earlier this year and now I have my “Keys to Success”. The vehicle was made possible due to a grant from Bank of America expanding Wheels of Success’ programs in Pasco and Pinellas County. I am now working for Wheels of Success and I am happy I get to help other families like mine get vehicles they desperately need to get to work and maintain their independence.
Wheel of Success has made a great impact on my life and I would like to thank them as well as the donors of the car that has changed my children’s and my life in so many ways. We were provided with a gate way to success and health. This vehicle has provided me with a way of not worrying about how I would have to continually have to take time off from work to take two to three buses to get to a doctor’s appointment.
About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Gastroparesia an effect of bring a type one diabetic.
These illnesses have caused me to be in and out of the hospital numerous of times, visits to specialist. Doctors, and counselors put a strain on me physically and financially and risk of losing my job due to all the time I would have to take off trying yo make every appointment I could. Being a single mother of 2 teenaged girls with no other income was becoming very over whelming having to make sure we could make it to places when we needed, just a simple thing as going to the grocery store was straining. There were times that I thought I was going to lose my job because it was a all day process to take 2 sometimes 3 buses to get to a doctor’s appointment. When I got the call from Wheels of Success it was life changing my children and I now have the means and way of getting to appointments without having to worry about taking so much time off from work, my health has improved due to being able to make appointments and my children have been able to join activities and get jobs of their own. Without the help from Wheels of success and the donors I don’t think we would be in the place we are today so I would like to thank you and all your help and kindness and for this program that not only help me succeed but helping my family become more dependent and saving my health. I am truly thankful for being a part of this program and appreciate the car so much.
I am a Disabled Veteran who was having difficulty regaining employment and,after 6 months of job searching and being on the verge of homelessness, I finally became reemployed and my CareerSource Tampa Bay DVOP Career Counselor, Michael Reulas, referred me to Wheels of Success. When I came to the car care class, I was driving a 1998 Mazda pickup with over 200,000 miles on it. Within my first month of employment, the clutch began to fail and I was facing a repair cost of over $1,300 as well as a loss of work time and pay as I had not worked long enough to earn any paid time off. When I contacted Wheels of Success with this news, they immediately set to work trying to find me a vehicle.
Within about 2 weeks, I received notification that a vehicle had been secured for me if I chose to accept it, which I gladly did.
I feel that Wheels of Success has significantly improved my life. I could not afford the necessary repairs to my previous vehicle and it was becoming less and less reliable.
Receiving a vehicle from Wheels of Success has eased a lot of stress, wondering if my vehicle will get me to and from work and other places. I had really cut my travels to the bare minimum in order to preserve the truck. With the vehicle I received from Wheels of Success, I feel I have reliable transportation I am a Disabled Veteran who was having difficulty regaining employment and,after 6 months of job searching and being
on the verge of homelessness, I finally became reemployed and my CareerSource Tampa Bay DVOP Career Counselor, Michael, referred me to Wheels of Success. When I came to the car care class, I was driving a 1998 Mazda pickup with over 200,000 miles on it. Within my first month of employment, the clutch began to fail and I was facing a repair cost of over $1,300 as well as a loss of work time and pay as I had not worked long enough to earn any paid time off. When I contacted Wheels of Success with this news, they immediately set to work trying to find me a vehicle.
Within about 2 weeks, I received notification that a vehicle had been secured for me if I chose to accept it, which I gladly did.
I feel that Wheels of Success has significantly improved my life. I could not afford the necessary repairs to my previous vehicle and it was becoming less and less reliable. Receiving a vehicle from Wheels of Success has eased a lot of stress,
wondering if my vehicle will get me to and from work and other places. I had really cut my travels to the bare minimum in order to preserve the truck. With the vehicle I received from Wheels of Success, I feel I have reliable transportation and a reliable repair shop that cares for the Wheels of Success vehicles. In addition, I have met new people and had fun volunteering at events that I would never have attended otherwise. and a reliable repair shop that cares for the Wheels of Success vehicles. In addition, I have met new people and had fun volunteering at events that I would never have attended otherwise.
Good morning! We are all excited in the Jones house about being blessed with a vehicle from Wheels of Success. My Broker, Mark called me last week and said he want me to take over Property Management for the brokerage! Duties include collecting payments, maintenance and more. I could not have accepted the new position without a vehicle. When I get my vehicle I will be able to take the reigns as the Property Manager of his company. Thank you Kathy, Susan and the rest of the staff and volunteers of Wheels of Success!
Yvette
Right around my birthday in July 2016 I lost my car unintentionally. I felt devastated, and honestly did not exactly know what to do, but not to give up hope. Suddenly I was without any transportation, which made it hard not only to get my children to and from school, but to work as well. I was lucky the children were out of school, and if I would have not have my 17 year old daughter to watch her little brother and sister, I probably would have lost my job. About a year ago I got diagnosed with cancer and shortly thereafter my husband abandoned his family, and so I have been seeing a counselor at the Hillsborough Community College to cope with this situation. On one of my visits, I asked if he would know of any programs which may help me in the process of getting back transportation. So, he referred me to Wheels of Success. After my referral went in, I checked back with Wheels of Success, and talked to Susan, who asked me to attend without delay one of their car care classes. In the meantime, I have been walking every day a half hour to a bus stop to get to and home from work. Where I live, the bus stop is about a half hour away, and there is only 2 busses leaving in the morning and 2 coming back in the afternoon. When school started back up, I got 2 additional bikes, so I was able to ride with the two younger children to and from school. After dropping them off I was taking the bus to and from work. It happened on a few occasions that I missed the bus, and I had to ride my bike 20 minutes to catch another bus or ride the bike back home. These days where long for me and the children, and I barely got enough sleep, but I had to stay strong for my family. When Kathy finally called to tell me they have a car for me, I was so overwhelmed. I could not believe it at first until I have seen the car. The day I picked up my car made me feel so great. I was overly happy, and boy oh boy when I got the children, they were smiling all ears. I am finally able to get more rest, and not stress about to get on work on time or rely on someone else to pick up my children from school. Wheels of Success changed my life in the most positive way. I actually know I am loved by people and feel worth more than words can explain! A big THANK YOU to the Wheels of Success Team and to the person or family who donated the car, without your donation this would have not been possible!!!!
Sonja
Wheels of Success is a program that allowed me to keep my job. I was paying $34 daily on Uber and honestly I was just about out of saved funds to do that. My beautiful oldsmobile that wheels has assisted me in obtaining gets me to work, grocery store, and appointments for me and my children. Wheels has returned quality of life to me, and financial stability. I will always be grateful.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
A vehicle from Wheels of Success has blessed our family so much. My husband is able to work extra shifts at work. My 4 year old daughter and I no longer need to cross 60/Brandon Blvd. to make our bus from school to home. She can ride in the car to school, church, museum days, birthday parties, and sleep overs. We no longer have to walk to the grocery store with our stroller or pay for Uber. We can drive to the grocery store and Dr. Appts. I can stay for late parent teacher conference night's or meetings and drive home without worrying about how I will get home in the dark.
This week I am signing our daughter up for gymnastics at the ymca. Ymca' s in Brandon are not accessible by city bus. Last spring to do the free swim lessons during spring break. I walked 6 miles one day to get my daughter to and from the ymca by stroller. The rest of the week I paid for Uber to get her there. This time, it is a joy to be able to drive her to gymnastics class at the ymca.
Our dog was sick a few weeks ago. We drove to The Humane Society and waited at the clinic for cheaper Medical care. Without the car it would have taken all day to ride buses out there and more uncomfortable for our sick dog. Or we would have spent money on uber. Money we needed for our sick dog.
This car has blessed our family immensely. Thank you.
Emma
First, I'd like to thank Wheels of Success for giving me the opportunity to better myself and my family. I recently within the year, lost everything and have been trying to pick myself along with my three children. Which it has been the hardest, yet most humbling thing I've ever had to do. It's so reassuring that I don't have to worry about can my kids make it to tomorrow on time? Am I going to be able to make it to work tomorrow? Being without a vehicle, was my only obstacle, I have no doubt in my mind that I will be successful, now that I have my own vehicle, all thanks to Wheels of Success.
Sincerely,
Ida
A vehicle from Wheels of Success has blessed our family so much. My husband is able to work extra shifts at work. My 4 year old daughter and I no longer need to cross 60/Brandon Blvd. to make our bus from school to home. She can ride in the car to school, church, museum days, birthday parties, and sleep overs. We no longer have to walk to the grocery store with our stroller or pay for Uber. We can drive to the grocery store and Dr. Appts. I can stay for late parent teacher conference night's or meetings and drive home without worrying about how I will get home in the dark.
This week I am signing our daughter up for gymnastics at the ymca. Ymca' s in Brandon are not accessible by city bus. Last spring to do the free swim lessons during spring break. I walked 6 miles one day to get my daughter to and from the ymca by stroller. The rest of the week I paid for Uber to get her there. This time, it is a joy to be able to drive her to gymnastics class at the ymca.
Our dog was sick a few weeks ago. We drove to The Humane Society and waited at the clinic for cheaper Medical care. Without the car it would have taken all day to ride buses out there and more uncomfortable for our sick dog. Or we would have spent money on uber. Money we needed for our sick dog.
This car has blessed our family immensely. Thank you.
Emma
To those inquiring,
Hello, and hope were having a great day, i was asked by Wheels Of Success to write a paragraph as to how recieving my car has changed my life...well for starters i was taking the bus everyday carrying about 40-90 pounds on my back. As an electronics repair tech i needed to always carry tools, laptop, cards, hydration, snacks, and sometimes many toher things like customer laptops and customer cellphones. it would take me hours to get a part and facilitate a repair however since recieving my vehicle from wheels of success not only have i been able to sustain my job at local business 4CcellFix inc (located 4803 w hillsborough ave; ive even achieved another job that im training for manager or shift lead for at Burger King (quality dining). its been tough work and alot of strain on my body but it will all pay off and does pay of for me an my family when i make my bills and am able to even splurge a bit on a pair of shoes or an outfit. i have enoied taking my mother (who has arthritus in her knees) from fletcher ave to downtown tampa to the restraunt SHE works at at 5am so she dosent have to take a 9.6 mile bus ride.... its also nice to be able to take my sister to school if shes running late. i find myself happier and less depressed and i find myself to be more punctual than ive ever been (and i dont speed as i defanately cant afford a speeding ticket.) i now have an oppritunity to run repair out of a samll local business for myself while still working at burger king since they are training me for morning shift and yes i will still recieve the minimum hours to be part of the program (Wheels of Succes). i am very grateful and very happy with my actions and the help ive recieved over the past few months. thank you all who are involved. for any questions comments or concerns, feel free to write text call or email. thank you.
Steven
I am forever grateful for the Wheels of Success program and the kind women who work tirelessly to ensure that they help as many people as possible! The Wheels of Success program gifted me with a beautiful van for me and my 5 children and it is only through their generosity that I am to transport myself to work and my children to school each day in a safe and reliable vehicle. The Wheels of Success has been such a blessing during this difficult time in my life and I am very excited to pay it forward so that others can receive the same blessing. Thank you Wheels of Success, you mean so much to so many!
Layla
I received a vehicle through Wheels of Success a year ago. The vehicle wasn't perfect and it had its problems, but the care and attention that I received from the staff was unprecedented. They insured that I had reliable transportation throughout my entire year with the program! My life turned completely around so much in that one year that I was able to trade my car back into the Organization and I was able to purchase another one through a different program offered and began building positive credit. I owe my successes and getting back on my feet to this organization. I would have never been able to do half of the things I have without their assistance and standing behind me with things were tough.
I recently moved to tampa with my elderly father and daughter. We have had no transportation for about two years. My oldest brother found this organization that helps people like me. I came in to do my interview and I absolutely love rebecca and susan. They are truly angels from God. They love their job. I have been put into a vehicle and I can finally drop my daughter off to school. Get to work. Actually now I can have a lttle mommy time. Thank you wheels of success for everything you do.
Coming into this program I was extremely surprised and humbled by how much they cared for my day to day life. They cared about how much I struggled to get to work and take my daughter to school, how it was an uphill battle for me to get on my feet every day and do what I needed to do to keep earning money and keep my daughter healthy.
From meeting Susan and Rebecca for the first time I knew I could believe in them and this program. Coming to the ceremony to receive my car was very surreal. Driving away from the event with my car felt like I was driving away from all my burdens. I was so relieved and happy to show my little girl our new way around.
Since receiving my car I have been able to bring my life to a steady cruise. I can make it to work everyday, I can make it to work events I am required to attend. I can bring my daughter to school and pick her up on time. I can bring her to the park and get home in time to cook dinner. On the weekends I can run my errands and have fun with my daughter.
Every day I get into my car, I remember when it used to me getting on a bike, me worrying about if it was going to make it across the bridge or me worrying about my ride getting there on time. Every morning before I start my day, I remember Susan and Rebecca and I feel like everything is getting better.
Wheels for success has helped me and my children greatly. I am single mom trying to make on my own wheels for success made it possible for me to get to work so i can take care of my kids. by giving me a min Van. i am so happy and my kids are to.
a great program with an awesome mission. Its nice to know that other Americans are in the business of helping one another at a time of trouble. Every effort to assist was greatly appreciated and I would recommend WOS to my community as a valuable resource.
Wheels of Success (WOS) is truly amazing and definitely a God Sent!!! WOS is an organization who serves in many ways helping lives change and never the same by providing cars to working individuals one car at a time. I am a survivor of domestic violence for five years now and Wheels of Success has become more than just a non-profit who really cares about individuals... we are family. They are very supportive family centered individuals teaming up for a great cause to support the advantage of truly overcoming adversities. I actively support and advocate back as well as encourage others to step up and be a voice. A blessing to know the confirmaton we all Win while God is Working the God Sents with one key detail at a time.
Wheels has saved my life and allowed me to move forward. With my car from Wheels I've been able to get promoted in my job and have a better life.
This charity was awesome they catered to my needs and worked very fast to get me in a vehicle... I fell on bad time do to the ecomony and losing my job, so I lost my car had to catch a ride with a co worker and sometime the bus. Then one day a friend of mine went to my employer and told them about the program and my employed help me get in to a car....
They helped me out so much by giving me a car. It really helped me with shopping, working, and seeing my family and friends. Instead of borrowing someone else's car or taking the bus, I had my own! I'm glad they could help me.
Hi my name is Linda, I am married and have three children/ young adults. Our vehicle went down in Aug. It was dangerous to drive and we did not have the finances to fix it at the price that our locol repair places quoted us. As a family of five it was very challenging not to have a vehicle to get us where we needed to go. My family was essentially home bound with the exception of doctor appointments that we were able to keep if we had a ride arranged other wise we would have to cancell them. Shopping was a challenge indeed. Getting to work for me was a challenge indeed. I would catch the bus if I was unable to catch a ride from a coworker. I would have to leave the house 2 and 1/2 hours before my work time to get to ork on time. My husband had a very bad injury back in October of last year he has multiple breaks in his right let, had 2 surgeries, and still has to use a walker to assist him. He has other health issued that had to be put on hold due to not having transportation,COPD, and hypothyroidism to name 2. He would have times where he could not breath and would pass out as well. A child was diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension, meaning his blood pressure can drop so low it causes him to pass out. My daughter has had health issues that constantly have her in distress, The doctor just recently were aftaid she had a brain tumor, Thank the lord she doesn't but we are still in the midst of an answer. My oldest is a migrain sufferer and has had to go to the ER to get them under controll when they are bad enough. I work full time and I have an auto immune disease that is a life long debilitating disease, I had to have surgery last year and am facing another surgery within the next month.
I can not express the relief when we were pick to get a vehicle and finally have the much needed and necessary transportation to give us the ability to better take care of our health needs and all our needs in general! It has been so amazing to regain the power to be in charge again with out having to rely on others to get me/ us where we needed to go! They were very pleasant, they work with you, they do their best to accomidate you and make sure that all goes smoothly. We get AAA, which is great to know we can get help if we need to. Also we even get a warrenty that they stand by.
A co worker told me about this program to help keep families with jobs in wheels to keep their job it is totally awesome that there is this great, helpful and worth while program for those who need it!
Thank you to everyone at Wheels of success for making our family mobile again!
My name is Darlene Pounds, I came to get help because am a sinlge parent of a three year old. I difficult get to work and to doctors appointments for me and my son. I hadto take three bus to and from work everyday, which two hours each. Me and my son would thirty min early to appointments, and if I had an appointment I had to leave the house two to three hours early. With wheelsofsuccess they help me not to have to leave the house so.
If it is rain that is the wosrted because bus are always lae which make you late for what every you had to do that day. I just want to say thank you.