SALUTE is a dynamic self-advocacy group where individuals with developmental disabilities in Lucas County come together to build confidence, share their voices, and connect with one another. Meetings are held in a hybrid format on the second Monday of each month and typically feature engaging guest speakers and light refreshments.
For June’s meeting, we welcome Vanessa Valencia and Jeremy Fofrich, Mobility Specialists with TARTA Move Paratransit, who will address service questions, eligibility, and community resources.
Vanessa and Jeremy work with the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) Mobility Services team to assess applicants for paratransit eligibility based on disability and connect individuals to additional community supports when needs extend beyond transportation.
Vanessa brings a personal connection to paratransit through a family member who used the service, along with 5 to 7 years of volunteer experience supporting underserved communities across multiple states before joining TARTA two years ago. Jeremy has worked in transportation for one year and brings a decade of prior experience in human services, grounding his work in a strong background of client support and advocacy.