PLANO, Texas, May 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In rural and
urban communities across the country, homebound Americans are
struggling to access COVID-19 vaccination sites. Across the nation,
this mobility challenge affects an estimated 4 million people. If
people can't access vaccine sites due to limited transit options,
then help is needed to bring the vaccine to them or provide the
necessary transportation.
To support vaccine accessibility, Toyota Motor North America
(TMNA) is providing several national and local nonprofit
organizations with more than 50 vehicles and grant funding.
The vehicles support efforts in 13 states, with grant funding
assisting various multicultural organizations throughout the
country.
A group of non-profit and municipal agencies focused on
supporting older adults will receive funding for vehicles to assist
with rides to vaccine appointments. In addition, the Los Angeles City Fire Department will dispatch
teams for home visits in a fleet of Toyota vehicles and to support
pop-up clinics, and UnidosUS will deploy its Toyota fleet as part
of the Esperanza Hope for All vaccine education
campaign.
"Through mobility we can improve access to vaccines and enable
organizations to reach hundreds of thousands of people across the
country," said Chris Reynolds, chief
administration officer, TMNA. "By collaborating
with AARP, UnidosUS and a host of additional community
partners, we're able to extend resources to
organizations that have an intricate knowledge of
the communities' specific needs, coming together to make
the strongest impact."
Collaborating with AARP to Support Local Transportation
Needs
Building on a 10-year collaboration, Toyota worked with AARP to
identify local organizations across nine states focused on
providing essential services in underserved communities. The
support from Toyota and AARP will help these local organizations
increase vaccine awareness, education and access, including rides
to vaccine appointments and other essential trips.
"AARP has helped older Americans navigate the health and
economic challenges of the pandemic, and through this
collaboration, we're better able to help people in rural and
underserved communities get to and from vaccination appointments,"
said Kyle Rakow, Vice President and
National Director at AARP Driver Safety.
Increasing Education Outreach to Multicultural
Communities
Rides are just one part of the equation. Understanding needs and
informing communities are also vital tools. $1 million in grant funds from Toyota will
support bilingual education and outreach, including with UnidosUS,
the nation's largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization.
UnidosUS, is receiving vehicles and grant funding for the mobile
tour of its Esperanza Hope for All campaign. This
builds on Toyota grants to LULAC for Vacunate Hoy!; Hispanic
Federation for COVID-19 VIDA (Vaccination Immunization Dosage
Awareness); and additional organizations.
"We are proud to count on the support of Toyota to advance the
mission of the UnidosUS Esperanza Hope for All campaign and deliver
critical information about the COVID-19 vaccines directly into
Latino neighborhoods," said Rita Carreón, Vice President of Health.
"By way of the mobile tour, we are helping to combat misinformation
and build trust in the safety and efficacy of the vaccines in hard
to reach communities. More importantly, we are ensuring that
in-language and in-culture information is coming from trusted
members of the community in an environment where they're
comfortable."
The UnidosUS mobile educational tour, which runs every weekend
from April 16 through May 23rd,
delivers information about the COVID-19 vaccines directly into
Hispanic neighborhoods across the country, including to areas where
health resources are difficult to access.
Building on Prior Efforts
These new efforts build upon prior Toyota USA Foundation grants to promote e-learning,
bridge the digital divide and bolster food assistance.
Additionally, based on requests from local municipalities in
Kentucky and Texas, Toyota dispatched its employees to help
optimize work and reduce wait times at local vaccination sites by
applying Toyota Production System (TPS) principles. Toyota
employees also developed more than 500,000 protective face shields
for healthcare professionals.
To learn more about Toyota's complete COVID-19 response efforts,
click the following link:
https://pressroom.toyota.com/topic/covid-19-information/
Toyota vehicles will assist the following organizations in 13
states
Alabama
- The Legacy Center – Huntsville
Arizona
- UnidosUS Mobile Tour – Phoenix
- UnidosUS Mobile Tour – Yuma
California
- Los Angeles City Fire
Department – Los Angeles
- St. Barnabas Senior Services – Los
Angeles
- UnidosUS Mobile Tour –Coachella Valley
- UnidosUS Mobile Tour – Fresno
- UnidosUS Affiliate La Maestra, San
Diego
Indiana
- Carver Community Organization – Evansville
Iowa
- Aging Services – Cedar
Rapids
Kentucky
Maryland
- Us Helping Us – Baltimore
Michigan
- Community Action Network – Ann
Arbor
Mississippi
- Alliance Charitable Foundation – Holly Springs
Missouri
- Southside Wellness Center Inc. – St.
Louis
Tennessee
- Southwest Tennessee Development District – Jackson
Texas
- Community Housing Resource Center – San Antonio
- Feonix Mobility Rising – Dallas/Fort
Worth
- Harris County Area Agency on Aging – Houston
- Meals on Wheels Collin County – Dallas/Fort Worth
- Texas Health Resources – Dallas/Fort
Worth
- UnidosUS Mobile Tour – Dallas/Fort
Worth
- UnidosUS Mobile Tour – El
Paso
- UnidosUS Mobile Tour – Houston
- UnidosUS Mobile Tour – Rio Grande Valley
West Virginia
- Putnam County Aging, Inc. – Buffalo
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a
part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and
is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility
through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500
dealerships.
Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly
employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed
world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30
million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including
our joint venture in Alabama that
begins production in 2021.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in
STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual
education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an
immersive experience and chance to visit many of our U.S.
manufacturing facilities. The hub also includes a series of free
STEM-based lessons and curriculum through Toyota USA Foundation partners, virtual field trips
and more. For more information about Toyota,
visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
Contact:
Victor Vanov
victor.vanov@toyota.com
469.292.1318
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America