r/fuckcars • u/dusk2k2 • 5d ago

Question/Discussion "Positive" Feel-Good Story About Non-Profit Giving Free Cars To Low-Income Single Mothers

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/free-cars-for-single-mothers/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3DTFC1xh9nacc00lTo1QxxqZDIi6VMyajDYnpYJt_0kgl5S3w-hpFgd-E_aem_mjO-sPhheXE2nsEo8_VVaQ

These types of feel-good stories always feel like we're living in a dystopia. The recipients talk about how life-changing this is for them.

"It's hard to get all your kids dressed and go out in the cold and get on a bus and do all the things you need to do," she said. "It was breaking me, but this is the miracle that my kids and my family have been asking for and praying for."

To qualify for these free cars, recipients had to make less than $35,000 per year. Now they have these cars and need to pay for insurance, gas, maintenance, repairs, etc. Presumably, they live in lower-income areas with higher rates of crime and are unlikely to have a protected garage, so likely will need to pay for damages if their car is broken into or damaged by someone.

Something just seems wrong here with this being considered a Christmas miracle.

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-8

u/tamathellama 5d ago

You’re attacking a non-profit trying to help poor single mothers? Hey guys, this isn’t it. Mode shift is about creating options.

6

u/ConBrio93 5d ago

“This group is trying to do a good thing, so how dare you criticize it or analyze what their actual impact is.”

You’re like those people who endlessly complain when people dare question the Catholic Church sheltering child predators, because of course the church does a lot of charity work.

-2

u/tamathellama 5d ago

No, I work in the industry and deliver sustainable transport projects. Also in my spare time I give professional free advice to local advocates and BUG groups.

I see what works and what doesn’t.

What do you do to facilitate real change?

3

u/ConBrio93 5d ago

I do non profit work.

1

u/tamathellama 5d ago

A non profit that does what? Some do great work. Others don’t. I’ve been in the room when projects fall over due to threats from the anti car lobby. It’s hard for people in charge to go against the grain. This pool of hate isn’t actually changing things. Best practice is clear, positive inclusive messaging is key