Uber and Alliance for HOPE International announced the expansion of Hope Rides, a collaborative initiative that provides free transportation to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking seeking support services.
The program, which began as a pilot last summer, has transported more than 2,000 survivors across a dozen states and logged over 21,000 miles. It is now expanding from 18 to 30 participating Family Justice Centers nationwide, with Florida as the latest addition.
"Access to transportation can mean the difference between staying in danger and reaching safety," said Lariana Forsythe, who leads CASA Family Justice Center in Florida.
Family Justice Centers bring legal aid, social services, law enforcement and trauma-informed care under one roof. But survivors must be able to reach them.
"Transportation can be a real barrier to care," said Meghan Casserly, Uber's director of public policy for safety. "For the clients of the Family Justice Center system, Hope Rides helps remove that barrier and connect survivors to support when they need it most."
Participating centers report fewer missed appointments, higher survivor engagement and stronger safety planning since the program began.
One survivor said: "Ridesharing services saved my life when no one else could come and get me." Another noted: "This is extremely important for survivors to know about. It gives us strength to know that we have a secure way to get the help we so need."