Rick - One of our Good News Garage mechanics

History of Good News Garage

Good News Garage opened its garage doors in July 1996, thanks to visionary founder, Hal Colston along with Reverend Fredrick "Rick" Neu, Bill Valliere, Reverend Doug Ward and with support from a Social Ministry Outreach Project of Lutheran Social Services.

Hal Colston, a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jericho, Vermont, brought a new idea to a pioneering cluster of local congregations who were attempting to identify social needs in the community. His idea for Good News Garage in the Burlington, Vermont area was based on his experience working with low-income clients at a local social service agency. He found many of his clients were unable to access employment because they had lacked reliable affordable transportation. Unfortunately, many employment opportunities that paid a livable wage existed in outlying growth areas impossible to access without a vehicle.

Hal told the group about a recent situation that arose when one of his clients, a single mother with two children, came to him in tears. She had just purchased a car for $500, but on the way home the brakes failed. The car broke down repeatedly. Hal tried to get the seller to refund the money, but was unsuccessful.

The principle of Hal's "community garage" was that it would be a place where those struggling to get out of poverty could buy a car that was affordable, safe and reliable. The founding team reached out to the Chittenden County community and received a great response.

Lutheran Social Services and Wheat Ridge Ministries provided the initial funds, and started operating out of the Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington, Vermont. Later the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) loaned GNG space on King Street in Burlington, VT. Hal then headed up a capital campaign that raised monies needed to renovate the former Vermont Transit Bus Barn to house Good News Garage. This new facility with eight lifts opened in 2004. Good News Garage now operates a car donation program and the Ready To Go program, a transitional transportation service that uses donated vans to drive individuals to and from work.

Hal has traveled the country assisting other states in starting similar car donation programs. Lutheran Social Services has funded the opening of additional programs in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Good News Garage has transformed the lives of more than 3,000 families for whom the lack of transportation was a barrier to their economic independence.

Hal Colston's newest endeavor is Neighborkeepers located in Burlington, Vermont. The goal of this program is to end poverty in Chittenden County through socio-economic integration. One program is called Circles of Support. Click here learn how to volunteer to be a part of Circles of Support.

Neighborkeepers, Circles of Support webcast.

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