Released on: February 9, 2008, 12:06 pm

Press Release Author: Good News Garage

Industry: Non Profit

Press Release Summary: Hal Colston, Founder of Good News Garage and Neighborkeepers,
Profiled in People Magazine’s “Heroes Among Us”


Press Release Body: New England, February 2008 – Hal Colston, founder of two
successful anti-poverty programs, Good News Garage and Neighborkeepers, is profiled
in the current issue (dated February 11, 2008) of People Magazine in their “Heroes
Among Us” column. Good News Garage came to Connecticut in 2002 and in that time over
500 cars have been awarded to Connecticut families in need.

Good News Garage began in Burlington, Vermont in July 1996 and has been used as a
national model for addressing the core causes of poverty by removing transportation
barriers to employment. Good News Garage, a subsidiary of Lutheran Social Services
of New England, accepts, repairs and awards donated cars to low-income individuals
throughout New England.

In 2005, the University of Vermont and the US Department of Housing and Urban
Development completed a study demonstrating Good News Garage is an effective tool
for ending or reducing an individual’s need for Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) funds. It also found that 90% of those who received a car felt more
hopeful for a better future for themselves and their children.

Colston left Good News Garage in March 2004 to create Neighborkeepers. This new
non-profit utilizes a national “Circles of Support” strategy to transition families
out of poverty through community support. Each circle consists of a low-income
family that has resolved to get out of poverty and a team of friends and “allies”,
volunteers recruited from the community, who wrap around the family and offer their
support and guidance. According to Colston, It works because it breaks the isolation
of poverty. The average community participant has zero to two relationships in their
life; allies have eight to ten.”

Colston believes his profile in People Magazine will help spread the word about this
new anti-poverty approach as well as the importance of donating a car to Good News
Garage, which as already proven successful. “Meaningful relationships based on trust
and reciprocity is the foundation for success in family and community life. Our goal
is to “do with” as opposed to “do for” people transitioning out of poverty. The
ultimate goal is to change our community’s mindset about poverty. People just don’t
wake up and choose to be poor,” says Colston.

To learn more about Good News Garage or to donate a car, truck or van visit
www.GoodNewsGarage.org or call toll-free 1-877-GIVE-AUTO. The mission of Good News
Garage is to create economic opportunity by providing affordable and reliable
transportation options to people in need. All car donations are eligible for a tax
deduction.


Web Site: http://www.goodnewsgarage.org

Contact Details: Lisa Farren
Marketing Manager
Good News Garage - CT
860-218-2970
www.goodnewsgarage.org
lfarren@goodnewsgarage.org