Martha Maksym, Executive Director of United Way of Chittenden County today announced that Alyson Platzer has joined the staff of United Way as the Neighbor Rides Coordinator. “Neighbor Rides” is a newly launched program to connect volunteer drivers with seniors and persons with disabilities to help them get to medical appointments, grocery stores, adult day centers and to destinations to complete other essential errands. Learn more at unitedwaycc.org.
According to Maksym, Platzer brings a wealth of experience in community development in a variety of capacities both domestically and abroad. She began her career in Colorado, addressing the educational and social service needs of migrant farmworkers and people experiencing homelessness, and served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay, helping to establish a youth-led nonprofit organization focused on civic engagement. She also worked as an education and food security consultant for Washington DC based firms. She holds an MA in International Development Studies from The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs and speaks Spanish and Guarani.
“Neighbor Rides” is a partnership among Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission, the Chittenden County Transportation Authority, the Fanny Allen Corporation, Fletcher Allen Health Care Community Benefit Program, the Special Services Transportation Agency, United Way of Chittenden County, and the University of Vermont Center on Aging.