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Our Story
The Trident Area Agency on Aging (as part of a Silver Haired Legislature Trident Caucus meeting) invited Dick Giffen and others to attend the April 21, 2004 Geriatric Best Practice (Duke Foundation) presentation in Charleston so as to secure information about senior transportation and other issues. Among the courses offered, ITN Founder Director Katherine Freund made a persuasive presentation about the Independent Transportation Network of CharlestonTrident, Maine. Freund mentioned that ITNAmerica was seeking as many as five pilot communities to replicate the ITN model. Research into various senior transportation models around the country led to the conclusion that the ITN model was the most viable.
Seniors may become homebound without reliable transportation.
The first "Exploratory Meeting Regarding Transportation for Seniors" was held on November 23, 2004, on the porch of the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall and moderated by Dick Giffen. Present was Jim Dubs (Artist, retired Director of ElderLink), Kitty Farrier (GoFor Project Volunteer), Paul Franklin (Owner of Franklin Associates, Chairperson “Aging in Place Conference”), Rev. Dick Giffen (retiring Director of Shepherd’s Center of EC and GoFor Project Director and former Presbyterian Executive), Jo Anne Penington (GoFor Project Volunteer), Lola Reilly (GoFor Project Volunteer), Rev. Steve Souther (Retired Presbyterian Pastor). Out of their experience serving the homebound in the community, the participants saw the need for senior transportation and formed a non-profit organization called Senior Wheels, applying for both South Carolina incorporation and 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
On May 13, 2005 the Geriatric Region 9 follow-up of the Best Practice Conference, funded by Trident United Way (TUW), voted to "Explore collaboration with ITN (Independent Transportation Network of CharlestonTrident, Maine)." After several months of research and consultation the decision was made that Senior Wheels should apply to be an affiliate of ITNAmerica. The application was mailed on September 1. The raising of funds for the start-up costs continued and gradually sufficient resources were accumulated so that the Senior Wheels Trustees voted to guarantee the needed amount. ITNAmerica accepted the application and letter of committal and officially designated ITNCharlestonTrident as an ITNAmerica affiliate. October 20-21, 2005, Terry Brown and Paul Franklin and Dick Giffen participated in the ITNAmerica Summit meeting in CharlestonTrident, Maine, receiving the start-up tools and information for the beginning stages of ITNCharlestonTrident.