A Vision in Motion: Hope Town Ohio Partners with Sunstone to Launch Hope on Wheels in Urban Cincinnati
Hope Town Ohio is proud to announce the launch of a new technical assistance program, Hope Town Transportation Solutions, aimed at helping organizations across the nation replicate the success of its innovative Hope on Wheels initiative. This program addresses critical transportation barriers while providing nonprofits a sustainable revenue model to drive their missions forward.
This program was inspired by Hope Town Ohio’s presentation at the Ohio Recovery Housing Innovation Challenge, where Chief Executive Ted St. John showcased the impact of Hope on Wheels. The presentation caught the attention of attendees, including Ray Compagna, Resident Programming Advisor of Sunstone, a recovery house in Cincinnati, who saw an opportunity to bring this model to his urban community.
“I was immediately drawn to the vision Ted shared,” said Ray, now the program’s first client. “The Hope on Wheels model is a proven success. Why try to recreate the wheel when Ted and his team have already paved the way? This program will allow us to implement a solution tailored to our needs while sustaining our nonprofit in the long term.”
Turning Vision Into Action
Hope on Wheels, initially launched to address transportation barriers in rural Windham, has become a cornerstone of Hope Town’s operations. The program provides reliable, safe transportation for individuals in recovery, while generating critical funding for the nonprofit. In 2023 alone, Hope on Wheels provided 8,631 rides, totaling over 354,300 miles, and generated $423,000 in revenue—demonstrating the model’s viability, increasing this revenue to $500,000+ in 2024.
Now, Hope Town is expanding its reach through its technical assistance, offering other organizations the chance to replicate its success. The program can offer a licensing agreement, technical assistance, and ongoing coaching and support tailored to each partner organization’s unique needs.
“Grant funding alone is not enough for nonprofits to achieve sustainable growth,” Ted explained. “You need a reliable engine that powers your mission beyond grants and constant fundraising appeals. Hope on Wheels has been that engine for us, enabling transformative growth, such as purchasing and remodeling our new recovery community center. With our technical assistance program, we aim to empower other organizations to build similar engines, driving their missions forward with sustainable impact.”
A Customizable Model for Success
Unlike a franchise model, Hope Town’s technical assistance approach provides flexibility, allowing organizations to adapt the core elements of Hope on Wheels to their local context. This may include help with vehicle procurement, use of logo and brand, dispatch software, training programs, and operational planning. This adaptability is key for Ray, who operates in a more urban setting.
“While the model’s foundation works, some strategies will need to be tailored to our community,” said Ray. “Ted’s team is helping us navigate this process to launch quickly and effectively. We aim to have our first vehicle on the road by April 1, 2025.”
More Than Transportation: Building Futures
The technical assistance program goes beyond transportation. It creates opportunities for individuals in recovery to gain life skills and employment. Drivers, dispatchers, and other staff roles can be filled by individuals who have achieved long-term recovery, providing meaningful employment and contributing to their continued success.
“Our top priority is safety and reliability,” Ray emphasized. “This program doesn’t just give people rides; it opens doors. Whether helping someone get to a probation appointment or providing a job opportunity, this model changes lives.”
A Scalable Solution for Nonprofits Nationwide
Hope Town’s technical assistance program is designed for scalability, offering a plug-and-play solution that recovery organizations nationwide can adapt. Building on its success, the program recently achieved a significant milestone by signing its second official client, Summit Recovery Hub in Akron. Summit Recovery Hub has partnered with Hope Town to create a transportation service, leveraging Hope Town’s technical assistance and ongoing coaching.
Ted St. John, Chief Executive of Hope Town Ohio, sees this as a pivotal step in the organization’s mission to create sustainable, impactful programs. “This is what we set out to do—create a model that others can use to solve transportation challenges in their own communities,” Ted shared. “By partnering with us, organizations gain the tools and expertise to build a motor for their mission, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability.”
Join the Movement
Hope Town Ohio invites organizations to discover how its technical assistance program can drive meaningful change in their communities. Contact Ted St. John today for more information. Together, we can transform transportation into a vehicle for opportunity, empowerment, and recovery.
