ITNCharlestonTrident™ - Independence - Dignified Transportation for Seniors

Our Story

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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 Portland, 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.

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 Portland, 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 Portland, Maine, receiving the start-up tools and information for the beginning stages of ITNCharlestonTrident.

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Board of Directors

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Phil Avery

Paul Bolen

Barbara Camera - Secretary

Ralph Comp

Ralph is a retired Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy and served ten years as a Florida State Probation Officer. He received his BS from Florida Southern College and an MA in Psychology from Webster College. He is past Vice President of St. Vincent de Paul Society and a Life Member of the United States Submarine Veterans.

Paul Franklin - Chairperson of the Trustees

President of the South Carolina Aging-In-Place Coalition, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping seniors stay independent and age-in-place for as long as possible. Transportation has been a major focus of the S.C. Aging in Place Coalition and Paul has taken an active role in meeting and working with the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority to develop senior friendly bus routes, schedules and bus stop facilities.

Richard Giffen

Retired minister and former Executive Presbyter of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), serving 13 years with the Presbytery of Elizabeth in New Jersey. He has degrees from Pittsburgh Seminary, the University of Pittsburgh and Muskingum College. He was Director of the Shepherd’s Center of East Cooper for seven years and is Founder and Director of the Faith in Action GoFor Project, working with homebound people. In 2004 he initiated "Senior Wheels," which is now doing business as ITNCharlestonTrident.

Joe Grech - Treasurer

Phil Jones - Vice Chairperson of the Trustees

Richard Koehler

Cornelia H. Pelzer

Executive Director of the Charleston Association for the Blind, Cornelia received her BA in Mathematics and the University of Tennessee. She also served with the Historic Charleston Foundation. She has served on the Board of the Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community and other community organizations.

Janet Schumacher

Coordinator of the City of Charleston Mayor’s Office on Aging and ADA since 2004. The MOA has conducted Forums at which transportation has consistently been the most primary complaint. The Mayor’s Office on Aging has researched transportation options and best practices for the last 3 years. Prior to 2004 Janet was the City’s ADA Consultant, facilitating transportation for people with disabilities.

David Unwin

Solly Ward

Elizabeth Willis

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Mission Statement	close
To provide dignified, reliable, and sustainable community based and community supported transportation for older adults (65+) and people with visual impairments.
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