Tuesday, 27 October 2026, 11:06
📌 Every Wednesday morning, volunteer drivers pick up older adults for trips to enrichment centers and medical appointments. This routine is part of a broader community effort to keep seniors connected. Jewish Family Service of San Diego operates the On the Go program, which provides free rides to adults aged 60 and older regardless of background.
📊 The program currently supports more than 1,000 active riders. Participants receive up to 10 rides per month, with special allowances for non emergency medical needs. Data from September 2025 through August 2026 shows that 4,244 rides began or ended in La Mesa alone. More than 1,500 of those trips covered medical or dental visits. Social outings accounted for over 800 rides. Additional trips supported physical therapy, grocery shopping, and spiritual activities.
We have given a grandmother a ride to her granddaughter eighth grade graduation. Every ride is important, and we treat all of them equally.
Maureen Glaser, On the Go Program Manager
Transportation costs heavily impact fixed incomes. Adults 65 and older spent an average of 753 dollars monthly on vehicle maintenance and fuel in 2023. Many seniors skip essential appointments to avoid burdening family members. The program directly combats this trend. Drivers and riders frequently form lasting friendships that extend beyond the car. Volunteers select their own schedules through an online portal and commit to at least two rides each month between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
San Diego communities are seeing the direct impact of reliable transit options. La Mesa currently relies on four active drivers to serve 69 riders, with 26 others on a waitlist. To meet growing demand, the organization is launching services in downtown San Diego, southern San Marcos, and Spring Valley. These expansions aim to reduce travel barriers in densely populated and rapidly aging neighborhoods.
The On the Go initiative launched in 2008 after local leaders recognized a critical gap in non emergency transit for older adults. Early efforts focused on connecting isolated seniors to basic healthcare. Over nearly two decades, the model evolved into a structured volunteer network that now prioritizes both medical access and social engagement.
Expanding volunteer capacity remains the highest priority for sustaining this vital service. Residents who enjoy driving can sign up through the program portal to help bridge the mobility divide. Supporting senior independence requires collective action from the entire community.
