GOOD NEWS GARAGE - LSS INC

Good News Garage opened its garage doors in July 1996, thanks to visionary founder, Hal Colston along with Reverend Fredrick "Rick" Neu, Bill Valliere, and Reverend Doug Ward and with financial support from a Social Ministry Outreach Project of Lutheran Social Services.

Hal Colston, a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Jericho, Vermont, brought a new idea to a pioneering cluster of local congregations who were attempting to identify social needs in the community. His idea for Good News Garage in the Burlington, Vermont area was based on his experience working with low-income clients at a local social service agency. He found many of his clients were unable to access employment because they lacked reliable transportation. Unfortunately, many employment opportunities that paid a livable wage existed in outlying growth areas impossible to access without a vehicle.

Lutheran Social Services and Wheat Ridge Ministries provided the initial funds. Good News Garage first began operating out of the Ascension Lutheran Church in South Burlington, Vermont. Later the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) loaned GNG space on King Street in Burlington, VT. Hal then headed up a capital campaign that raised monies needed to renovate the former Vermont Transit Bus Barn to house Good News Garage. This new facility with eight lifts opened in 2004. Good News Garage now operates a car donation program and the Ready To Go program, a transitional transportation service that uses donated vans to drive individuals to and from work.