IMPRUVE (Independent Movement of Paratransit Riders for Unity, Vehicles, Equality)

Independent Movement of Paratransit Riders for Unity, Vehicles, Equality

Founded February 2000 Chicago IL The photo above is of a paratransit vehicle. (not owned or operated by IMPRUVE) It is the vehicle of choice for those who require green vehicles or vehicles that have better suspension for those who have muscle, joint, bone and back issues.
Students in IMPRUVE's Free IT Training

Fighting Poverty With Technology
Students in IMPRUVE IT training: "Fighting Poverty with Technology"

IMPRUVE co-sponsored with BNICEH "Fighting Poverty with Technology" in 2012. President Ayo Maat taught and helped develop curriculum with Peter Anderson for this 23-week IT class at Evanston Public Library for Google, HandsOn Tech to seniors, youth and persons who were disabled. Teaching assistants and guest teachers: Wanda Carter, Rami Maat, R. Ken Turner, Eric B. Horn. Photo on wall underscores the feelings and goals of most students who attended. Youngest student was 17, the oldest was 91.
Paratransit lift vehicle

This is not the vehicle of choice for riders who have joint, bone and muscle problems or those who have respiratory issues unless the vehicle is a clean air vehicle (green) and has a good suspension and tiedown system. All vehicles, all providers are not created equal.
Paratransit Riders Attend Juneteenth Event at UIC with Family Defense Center and BNICEH

Former board secretary for BNICEH Devon Tripp with son Andrew who also rides paratransit
BNICEH-IMPRUVE Celebrate Sat July 23, 2016 with ISPC at Disability Pride Parade Chicago IL

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IMPRUVE Vice President and President after 2015 Disability Pride Parade

Cecelia Jackson and Dr. Ayo Maat. Sign by Muata (aka Rami Maat)

Actions by Rider-Driver Alliance with IMPRUVE, ADAPT, Alliance for Community Services

Founder of BNICEH-IMPRUVE calls paratransit riders, supporters and the public to action. We Need Donations and Volunteers Now!

Disability Pride Parade every July in Chicago is One of Our Summer Highlights

IMPRUVE marches in

Chicago Disability Pride Parade and has booth space on Daley Plaza

Thru our parent company BNICEH, We Support Good Health Choices

We look forward to another Wellness Fair in Summer or Fall, 2018. Spring Wellness Fair was phenomenal on
April 8, 2017. There were a few demonstrations of healing by Sujee (aka Sugee hand therapy) performed by Dr. Yurasek. Did you attend? If not, we have a Powerpoint on some speaker bios and Dr. Maat's Aromatherapy slides are available for a small donation of $5, Free to IMPRUVE members whose dues are paid and available free to CDAC members who did attend. High school Youth: $3. See next panel (top right) on how to donate for National Giving. For nutritional information, contact Dr. Maat at [email protected] For auricular therapy/massage, Chinese herbal consultation, contact Yoshinao, MSOM at Asian Bodywork Unlimited. She is on facebook and travels in Chicago and near north suburbs for $80 plus transportation costs. Auricular therapy treats over 200 diseases. For acupuncture, Tui Na, medical Qigong, contact Dr. Frank Yurasek, L.Ac. Vets may find him in Pain Clinic at Stroger Hospital. Private offices in Riverside IL [email protected] www.acuwerks.com https://docs.google.com/document/d/1In6rC8HyGc34XejJ4Hdnl6FfK9fcFNWj6-mh9TxYJp8/pub

IMPRUVE participates in social justice actions

NPPMA annual rally - memorial for paratransit riders who have made their transition from human life; protest of poor services locally and nationally

Paratransit rally at IL state building for call for return of Chicago Paratransit to CTA , then rider-owned paratransit. NPPMA annual memorial to paratransit riders and former members or directors of BNICEH -IMPRUVE who have made their transition from earthly life. Actress-activist Miss Ramissa who recently appeared in Empire and Chcago PD on Fox and NBC respectively and David Banner's "Walking With Gods" on YouTube invites you to join IMPRUVE and paratransit rders and drivers to join Rider-Driver Alliance (RDA), a project of IMPRUVE. IMPRUVE members are automatically RDA members.

Special Actions with Workers for Worker Rights

No Fly Zone rally on way to Midway Airport and IMPRUVE members unable to cross street due to no curb cuts. Was In Support of Workers Center for Racial Justice.

IMPRUVE cannot continue its advocacy and activism for seniors, home services, youth and paratransit riders without your help. Donations in January, February and March 2019 will help us to remain open. Please keep donations flowing.

We need your donations, dues,and

help. We seek more directors and

officers and volunteers, so we

can continue. For credit card users,

donate by PayPal or Square (for

Square, check with Joanne Tillis

773-255-2113)

Paratransit Riders and Drivers:

Please click this LINK to take

the Paratransit Survey

Thank You

You cannot receive a blessing nor give a blessing with closed fists. Gratitude attracts blessings.

Are you grateful?

2018: Another year to stand up for paratransit and accessible public transit rights and form new alliances between those who ride and those who drive accessible buses, trains, vans, and wheelchair taxis. Join us. Be a voice or give a hand for social justice, human rights, worker rights, public accountability, and the end of fear and procrastination in demanding change, better services, and less discord between riders, drivers and those who are responsible for paratransit funding, statutes, and services. NOW.

Calling All Paratransit Riders and Drivers, Fixed Route Riders, Too

Join Rider-Driver Alliance in Chicago

Support $116 million Pace capital budget

RTA Budget Hearings being held

Wed. November 28 9-12 pm See link below for locations or visit live webcast at www.rtachicago.org or on social media

https://www.rtachicago.org/sites/default/files/Budget%20Hearings%202018.pdf

Disability Rights Consortium meeting Dec. 5, 2018 form 9:30 am - 11 am at Equip for Equality 20 N. Michgan Suite 300 Chicago Attend in person or by teleconference.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Rider-Driver Alliance
Voted to Unite
Paratransit Riders and Drivers Again

Our Meetings are held the 3rd Monday
every month except January

5:30-7:30 pm at
Access Living 115 W. Chicago Ave.
Register at 773-416-7366

Relax with Chair Yoga from 4-5 p,m.
Preceding the meeting.
Instructor: Ryan McGraw

Please be on time

Last Meeting Was Monday Nov. 19, 2018
IMPRUVE annual meeting December 27, 2018 (TBA)

Next RDA Meeting Not Until February 2019
Unless necessary, no RDA meeting for December.
January 21 is King Birthday Celebration.
Access Living is Closed Dec. 22, 2018 thru Jan. 1, 2019
Also closed January 21, 2019

We are Green, Anti-Violent, and ATOD-free. We Support No GMOs, No Pesticides, No Canola Oil, No Tobacco, No Alcohol, No Abuse of Seniors, Persons Who Are Disabled, Women Children. Please Do Not Bring Guns to Our Events. Please Do Not Smoke Near Persons Who Have Respiratory Issues or Chemical Sensitivities. Thank you for Respect of Human, Transportation, Housing and Disability Rights. EVERY HUMAN BEING DESERVES A CHANCE AT LIFE & A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS. Universal Single Payer Healthcare for All is the humane approach to healthcare.

Since Feb. 20, 2000, we have been the paratransit riders' voice and advocate on the front line, behind the scenes and wherever we were needed to support those who fight for disability rights. We are the original Paratransit Minutemen.

Donate Now!

Logo for Rider-Driver Alliance

RDA is a Project of IMPRUVE

CEO-President Position Vacant

Since Fall, 2017
Executive Search Continues for a New CEO-President for BNICEH and IMPRUVE. Dr. Ayo Maat has retired/resigned after 25 years with BNICEH and 17 with IMPRUVE. She temporarily remains as advisor to the Board and Comptroller. CEO-President is not a salaried position, but expenses are paid.

Will Crosby Calls for No Fare Increase by Pace for Paratransit Riders - Oct. 11, 2017 Outside Pace and Metra Offices at 547 W. Jackson Chicago

IMPRUVE needs volunteers now! And Funds! HELP!!!

We Tried to Stop Pace fare hike January 1, 2018

But Only 90 Paratransit Riders Testified

at Pace Budget Hearings!

Pace Decided No Fare Increase for 2019

Only 25 Showed Up at Protest at Pace Chicago Offices

and Less Than 1% of Paratransit Riders

Have Filed Paratransit Surveys!!!

If you Ride 100 times per month, your transportation

costs may have increased by $300 annually!

To Help Our Constituents Pay the 25 Cents, We Need Your Support

HAVE YOU Seen Our Gofundme Page for

"Quarters for Paratransit Riders Fare?"

Goal: $25,000

https://www.gofundme.com/pay-disabled-riders-fare-increase

_________________________________________

What Every Driver Should Know

What Every Rider Should Know

To Be Republished in 2019-2020

TBA: Paratransit Coalition May Host a Townhall

on Your Rights as Riders and Drivers at Access Living

Review Summary Report by

Paratransit Coalition of

Access Living

Title: Transportation Delayed

is Transportation Denied

Call 312-640-2100

Civil Rights Dept.

_________________________________________

Annual Membership Meeting, Board Elections, and

Kwanzaa Celebration by Invitation

TBA

IMPRUVE is not Dissolved

SAVE IMPRUVE

DONATE NOW

VOLUNTEER NOW

JOIN NOW

This Year the annual meeting will change locations.

Check with Secetary-Treasurer Joanne Tillis to RSVP

773-255-2113

Save the date: Thu. December 27, 2018

Show Membership Card for Free Admission

Guests Must be pre-registered

$5 suggested for food for invited guests and

Members whose dues are unpaid

Only Members Can Nominate and Vote for Directors

Must turn in Candidate Bios or Resumes By Dec. 12

All Members Can Vote and Eat

No Member Turned Away who RSVPs by Dec. 20

and Shows Up on Dec. 27

Limited Space and Seating for 25 Persons

_______________________________________

To File federal complaint or complaint with

OEIG (Office of Executive Inspector General in Illinois for RTA, CTA, Metra, Pace), contact us

[email protected]

We are part of the Paratransit Coalition

and partner with others:

Access Living, Chicago ADAPT, Equip for Equality,

Friedman Place, CDAC, PTTP, Rider-Driver Alliance

___________________

_____________________________________________________

National Giving Months:

Giving Tuesday is November 27, 2018

Giving Extended to December 31, 2018 and into Jan. 2019

We Need Your Help and Your Complaints, Comments

We Need Volunteers, New Members, New Directors

A New President-CEO

_____________________________________________

Many Ways to Give

New Giving Days Extended through January 2019

Other Giving Months

DONATIONS, VOLUNTEERS, ADVISORS REQUESTED, NEEDED, APPRECIATED. Please GIVE TO IMPRUVE OR BNICEH.

We No Longer have Support of Bon Ton (Carson's)

They Went Out of Business

nor SparkPlug (Project grant ended Dec 31, 2017)

KEEP THE PARATRANSIT MOMENTUM GOING FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE GOOD SERVICE.

To Donate to IMPRUVE or BNICEH for Giving Day or Any Day - Click Yellow Donate button for PayPal - See below to pay by credit or debit card or check. You Can Also Pay Dues by PayPal. Just call us at 773-255-2113 or 773-703-8412 to pay dues by gift to PayPal at www.paypal.com our acct: [email protected] Have heart. Love. Show your philanthropy. GIVE.

We are supported by volunteers. No major funding.

Mainly Self-Funded. Give through PayPal to IMPRUVE

Or give at our FundIMPRUVE Gofundme page. Goal is $22,000. http://gofundme.com/2r2syws

To volunteer, request volunteer application. Can receive here
https://form.jotform.com/63363199755165 Call 773-255-2113 or CLICK Contacts Tab above to email or CLICK COMMENTS Tab to leave a comment

We are a family of paratransit riders working with volunteers, paratransit drivers, and are the foundng host of the Rider-Driver Alliance. We host an informational booth at the Chicago Disability Pride Parade every July. We plan to rebuild the Rider-Driver Alliance (RDA) in 2017 and beginning 2018, include CTA riders who are disabled and CTA bus and rail workers from ATU 241 & 308. Then wheelchair drivers. Supported by CDAC (Chicago Disability Activism Colecetive), IMPRUVE has been collecting signatures on its petition for Better Paratransit.

Better Paratransit Petition Calls for Public Townhall Forum

Better Paratransit Petition targets in Illinois, not just the governor, but MOPD (Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities), OEIG, FTA, Transportation Committee Chair Alderman Anthony Beale, and House Speaker Mike Madigan. MOPD has been cooperative.

Anyone can sig. But please identify if you are a paratransit rider or driver.

Chicago Needs A Voting Representative on Pace Board

We will be pursuing Commissioner Karen Tamley of MOPD becoming a voting member on the Pace board of directors. Chicago has the largest ridership, yet no vote on Paratransit policy. We have no voting representative. We are controlled by suburban mayors and township presidents.

The images (photos) change that are below the healing hands above when you click the images to left or right. An arrow will appear left or right. The text and images below or on the side can be enlarged by zooming in.

Our Mission Statement is found on the Page titled "About." See tab above left under the healing hands on our banner header above. Click there for Mission statement and to learn Why Us (why we do this, why you should donate to us, why you should volunteer for us, why you should join our board of directors or advisory board).

Board Meetings
The joint board of IMPRUVE and BNICEH meet on the 1st Tuesday of every month 1-3 pm at Access Living unless announced otherwise. Closed to non-directors unless you are invited. The Executive Committee meets occasionally with chairpersons of committees and departments and at least annually the advisors meet with the CEO-president.

CEO-President Position Vacant Since Fall, 2017
Executive Search Continues for a New CEO-President for BNICEH and IMPRUVE. Dr. Ayo Maat has retired/resigned after 25 years with BNICEH and 17 with IMPRUVE. She temporarily remains as advisor to the Board, and temporary Webmaster and Comptroller.
Not a salaried Position, but expenses paid.

SPEAK OUT, STAND UP,
STOP PARATRANSIT FARE Increase and NEGLIGENCE
File Federal Civil Rights Complaints - No Penalty (see below)
Help provided by phone or come to meeting

Wed. November 30, 2016 at Access Living
IMPRUVE meeting in Conference Room C- 2nd floor
1:30 -4:30 pm

Jobs- Employment
IMPRUVE Project: Rider-Driver Alliance
Organizer Jobs Closed 12-15-16 . Will Reopen in 2018 when funding is renewed.
Apply for organizer jobs online. Two-5 organizers may be needed for February-Dec. 2018. Stipend: at $15 an hour, 20 hours per month for 11 months Send application with resume, agreement (request agreement for internship).
Click link below to apply. Organizer Jobs Closed 12-15-16. Will reopen for 2018 if a new grant or funding is secured.
https://form.jotform.com/63312365792155

Temp Position - IMPRUVE
Administrative Assistant INTERNSHIP Reopened Jan. 15, 2018
- small stipend

Volunteers, ASL Interpreters and Grantwriters Needed
APPLY NOW!! Call 773-916-6228
Send application and resume to:
https://form.jotform.com/63312365792155
If hired, will require you to sign agreement.

Temp Position - IMPRUVE - To Reopen
Healthy Research Interns to Explore Wellness Vendors

Data Entry-Internet Research Volunteers Needed Work At Home or School for 2 Weeks. $50 Stipend Or Work Study . H.S. Students Ok. Enter Resources that we will contact for our Summer WellnessFair. Do MailMerge. Closes March 1,  2018 5 People Needed. Call 773-916-6228 Or email: [email protected]

IMPRUVE - Temp or permanent Volunteer Position - CLOSED
No Stipend, No Pay, But Incentives (such as free massage or  facial, free entry to Spring Wellness Fair April 8, 2017)
Volunteer to Run errands, Assist PWDs, Usher, Setup, Breakdown Tables, Chairs at Spring Wellness prior to and day of Spring Wellness Fair At KKC 740 W. 63rd St Chicago 60621 Call 708-262-2804 or 773-916-6228 or email: [email protected]

Trouble with Poor Paratransit Service

Join Access Living Complaint or IMPRUVE Complaint.  IMPRUVE Complaint# 16-0447 with FTA Office of Civil Rights - Never resolved. Complaint on Pace paratransit services or Access Living Paratransit Coalition Complaint on Pace

Join Rider-Driver Alliance. Sign up as a driver or a rider from paratransit, CTA, Pace, or wheelchair taxi. New leadership development training after funding resumes in 2018. Make an appointment 1-0n-1 interview with
Ryan McGraw 313-414-3336 or
Dr. Ayo Maat 773-416-7366 (project manager)
Email: [email protected]

A custom car version of proposed green car powered by solar energy in which solar panes can be installed and nanotechnology used to add doors to satisfy any city's requirement that a NEV (vehicle) have doors. Working on the issue of wheelchair ramps for passengers and drivers in larger vehicles. Calling for help from rehab and mechanical engineers. See archives at www.greenthinktankfordisabilitycommunity.blogspot.com