Driving Communities Forward with Valerie Lefler

In this month’s Driving Communities Forward, which highlights leaders dedicating their careers to making a difference, I'm thrilled to highlight Feonix - Mobility Rising Founder and Executive Director Valerie Lefler .

Valerie shares an eye-opening statistic - more than 15 million Americans are experiencing transportation insecurity. While this highlights a huge need for more mobility solutions, this topic isn’t frequently discussed. Feonix is actively helping to fill this void by removing transportation barriers and promoting equitable mobility. Increasing transportation accessibility has a huge positive impact on also increasing access to basic needs like groceries, health care and education and giving families a sense of dignity.

As we wrap up Women’s History Month and continue to celebrate female leaders in our communities, I am thrilled to spotlight Valerie and the powerful work she and her team are leading everyday.

What gets you up in the morning and what's a typical day in your role?

First thing in the morning once the alarm goes off, before getting out of bed, I take a few minutes to fold my hands and pray. I thank God for waking me up that day, for my family, the team I have the opportunity to lead, and the mission He has given me. Those few minutes to focus and center myself sets my soul at peace and keeps me focused and grounded for the day ahead.??

A typical day varies dramatically depending on if I’m home or in the field. If I’m working from home, the day consists of about six hours of online meetings with partners, team members, community leaders, and various national task forces or committees. Then those meetings are followed by about three to four hours of emails, policy review, and presentation preparation.?

If I’m in the field in any of the five states we currently serve, it involves traveling to meet with partners and talking with passengers, volunteers, elected officials, and sponsors. No two days are the same, and I’m always learning, asking questions, and strategizing.

Who inspires you?

I am inspired by the individuals and families we serve as an organization. When I visit with our riders, I am always in awe of their strength, courage, and passion. Many have experienced unbelievable challenges, heart break, physical or emotional pain, financial loss, and they keep going, keep giving back, and continue living in pursuit of their best life.?

For example, the individuals who have served our country in the armed services and now need transportation to access their healthcare - it is an honor and privilege to work together with community partners to make those rides happen every day.??

What do you wish people knew about your field?

I wish more people knew how many families in the US experience transportation insecurity . For example, over 15 million Americans daily face challenges getting to where they need to go to work, to school, to get groceries, or access their doctor appointments. It’s often a problem that’s hidden in plain sight, and rarely talked about in philanthropy.?

We raise money for education, for healthcare, for housing - but we often forget about the very wheels the family needs to get to those resources - be that a bus, ride hailing, or a personal vehicle.??

What is your vision for the future of social impact?

At Feonix , our vision of the future of social impact in mobility involves establishing Transportation Assistance Hubs (TAH) across the country. Providing a one-stop shop in a community for individuals and organizations to access resources and education for addressing transportation needs across the full range of mobility options is critical.??

In the US, we have food pantries for families to access when they face hunger, but when it comes to a lack of transportation - it’s a complex maze of different agencies, applications, qualifications, and regulations and frankly, it does not have to be that complicated to get from A to B.?

Our vision as an organization is to create mobility solutions for the health and wellbeing of every person in every community, and we believe that Transportation Assistance Hubs are a critical component to making that happen.

How can we support your work?

There are three ways people can support us. First, we are always looking for donations and corporate partners to extend our impact and enhance the work we can do each day. For example, right now we have over 150 veterans on a waitlist for transportation in Detroit, Michigan, and we need resources to help ensure that no one goes without the ability to access life sustaining healthcare.??

Second, you can sign-up to be a volunteer driver - with Feonix in a community we serve, or support a local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans or American Cancer Society . There are very few more rewarding, personal volunteer experiences than spending time one-on-one with someone, hearing their story, and helping them get where they need to go.??

Third, we invite individuals to share about the work we do - subscribe to our LinkedIn or Facebook pages. By following and sharing about Feonix, you can help amplify our message of inclusivity and mobility equity.?

Together, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals by advocating for and spreading awareness of the importance of addressing transportation insecurity.