Affordable cars help low-wage employees in King County get to work

Working Wheels helps steer workers toward success

Sunni Easton had a good job and a bad car. When the car finally died, she took the bus to work each day, extending a 20-minute commute to more than an hour. Missing a bus or taking her son to a mid-day doctor's appointment presented a major obstacle to being at work. Despite a flexible schedule and a patient boss, it wouldn't be much longer before her job would be in jeopardy.

Fortunately for Sunni, she applied for a car from Working Wheels, a non-profit program that sells good quality used cars to low-wage workers who need a car to get to work. "I was one of the first people to sign up," says Sunni, who worked at SeaTac Airport at the time. "I've had my car for a year now...and it's so reliable!"

Reliable transportation = on-time workers, happy employers
Many workers face challenges like Sunni in just getting to and from work. Those working shifts outside of regular business hours may find that transit system schedules don't really align with their working hours. Others live beyond the reach of the transit system, and must drive unsafe or unreliable cars to get to work.

Fortunately, Working Wheels can help employees with transportation problems. Working Wheels is now seeking applicants who live in King County. "We want to spread the word about Working Wheels," says Fritz Cutchlow, former Working Wheels' Program Manager. "We know that there are a lot of low-wage workers out there who need a reliable way to get to their job. Working Wheels can make getting to work a little easier on them—and their boss!"

How Working Wheels works
"We sell cars that are in great shape," says Cutchlow. All vehicles are inspected and reconditioned by a certified mechanic before sale. Cars sell for about $1,500 through a three-year auto loan from Sound Community Bank, which comes out to an affordable $55 per month.

"Working Wheels does more than sell used cars," says Cutchlow. "We also offer other support services to help our clients be successful car owners." Applicants learn how to develop a budget to see if they can afford a car. All car owners attend a basic auto maintenance workshop and sign up for banking services, such as savings accounts, once they get their loan at Sound Community Bank.

Working Wheels also connects applicants who need credit repair to a financial counselor. "Showing applicants what is on their credit report and putting them in charge of their credit and personal finances is one of the most empowering parts of the program," said Mecca Stevenson, current Working Wheels Program Manager.