HELP RIGHTRIDES EXPAND TO DC!

RightRides is a free, safe, late night ride home for women and LGBTQ individuals, to address gender-based harassment and assault. Currently based in NYC, RightRides is an award-winning nonprofit service that began in 2004 and has driven over 2,000 Riders safely home to date.

In partnership with Holla Back DC!, RightRides wants to expand to our nation's capital.  Your contribution will cover start up expenses for driving team supplies, the dispatch system, insurance and other program costs.

If you would like to make a donation by check:

Checks should be made payable to RightRides. Please indicate in the Memo Line that your donation is for RightRides DC and mail to:

RightRides For Women's Safety
26 Court Street Ste. 505
Brooklyn, NY 11242

We can not accept checks made out to Holla Back DC or RightRides DC. All contributions made to RightRides are fully deductible to the extent allowed by the IRS, as RightRides for Women’s Safety (RRWS)  is a  registered 501(c)3 charitable organizations. EIN # 84-1668109 (RRWS)

ABOUT RIGHTRIDES

RightRides organizes volunteer drivers and navigators to operate a fleet of cars that are donated by Zipcar. Driving Teams can only drive our riders home, not to bars or parties. We accept no cash in the car, not even tips. We accept donations to keep RightRides operational!

We started RightRides in 2004 in direct response to an increase in assaults on women walking home by themselves. Our motto is, "Because Getting Home Safely Shouldn't Be A Luxury" and we recognize that many women and LGBTQ people do not have the extra funds to take a taxi and walking home from public transportation late at night can increase one's risk of sexual harassment and gender-based assault. One does not need to feel threatened to call RightRides.



FAQ

--How does RightRides work?

--When Riders call us

--Driving team rules

--Rider rules

--How can I get involved as a volunteer?

--How can I make a donation to bring RightRides to DC?

--When will RightRides DC launch?

HOW DOES RIGHTRIDES WORK?

Key Alliance. We’ve teamed up with Zipcar to make RightRides possible.  Zipcar has generously donated vehicles for our volunteers to drive during RightRides operations. RightRides pays for our volunteer driver's Zipcar membership and Zipcar waives the hourly rental fees for their cars.  Learn more about Zipcar.

Caring and reliable. RightRides provides friendly volunteer Driving Teams made up of a Driver and a Navigator to see our Riders home safely and help advocate for their increased personal safety.  Our service strives for a response time of 20 minutes or less to pick up riders. The RightRides program ONLY drives women and LGBTQ individuals home.

Safety- and service-minded. Because RightRides cares about Rider and Volunteer safety, all Driving Teams are pre-screened to meet our high safety standards.  We are always looking for new ways to improve our service and enourage Rider involvement in our related safety educational programs.  Driving teams help track the number of Riders per car, the neighborhoods visited, and generally note any service requests and feedback that Riders might have.

Sensitive to diverse communities. RightRides is now inclusive of the entire transgender (male and female identified) and gender queer/gender nonconforming communities. We understand that many in these communities experience frequent predatory assaults, hate crimes and random street violence just because they identify outside of societies two gender bias. We recognize that they do not have fair or just representation within traditional support systems such as law enforcement or by medical professionals, and we wish to lend our support towards ending discrimination, hate crimes and assaults based on gender stereotypes.

We are committed to providing a safe ride home for these individuals as they have limited resources available to them not only financially, but within greater society to make sure they can get home without threat of assault. RightRides strives to address the safety needs of these individuals with respect and dignity that all humans deserve.

It is our policy to ensure that one person of our volunteer Driving Teams will identify as female for the increased comfort of all our Riders.

Sensitive to your privacy. Rider’s privacy is important to us. We will not use Rider’s name or call back number for any purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

WHEN RIDERS CALL US

We’ll exchange information. The dispatcher will give their name and ask for the Rider’s name, pick-up and drop-off locations and call back number.

We’ll encourage safe practices. We recommend that the Rider stay indoors or in a well-lit and safe area until we arrive. The Driving Team will call the Rider when they are outside.

We’ll keep you informed. The dispatcher will give an estimated time of arrival (we strive for 20 minutes or less response time, but this varies depending on how many volunteers we have on a given night, traffic, and call volume) and how to identify the Driving Team. All car teams have signs with the RightRides name clearly displayed. We ask that our Navigating volunteers call you if they expect it will be longer than 20 minutes to arrive.

DRIVING TEAM RULES

Two-member driving teams are mandatory. One team member will identify as female.

Drivers must have a safe driving record.  Volunteer Drivers have safe records with no major violations in the past 3 years and no DUI’s within 7 years.

Safety first. Teams always wait to see that the Rider has safely entered their building before driving away.

RightRides is an “on-call” service. We are not able to take calls or ride requests in advance and the dispatch phone is only turned on during operational hours. Likewise, we are only able to offer pick-up and drop-off within our service area. RightRides can expand to greater areas and nights with increased volunteer interest.



RIDER RULES

We will only take Riders directly home. We will pick up Riders from where ever they call: a bus stop/subway station, nightlife establishment, apartment, etc. We will not accept requests for transportation to a bar or party, only directly home.

We can transport up to 2-3 Riders at a time. Passenger space, seatbelts and safety are our main considerations.

Cancellation? Let us know as soon as possible. We receive a high-volume of calls for rides, so being a “no-show” causes huge delays for other Riders. Please call us back as soon as possible if you no longer need a ride.

We welcome your donation. But we do not accept cash in the car, not even tips.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED AS A VOLUNTEER?

We welcome your help as a volunteer to help launch RightRides DC. Please email Hollaback DC (the folks bringing RightRides to DC), about upcoming volunteer opportunities. Or you can fill out this online form and they'll be in touch with you directly!

While the program will likely launch in 2010, we're seeking volunteers now to help us get the word out, help us with fundraising events and very soon, to help out in our driving teams as drivers and navigators.

HOW CAN I DONATE TO BRING RIGHTRIDES TO DC?

We are grateful for your donation to help launch the RightRides DC chapter. You can make a donation via PayPal (you do not need to have a PayPal account) or you can mail a check, made payable to RightRides:

RightRides For Women's Safety
26 Court Street, Suite 505
Brooklyn, NY 11242

Please be sure to mention DC in the memo line or in the donation letter.

WHEN WILL RIGHTRIDES BE OPERATING IN DC?

We hope to launch RightRides DC within the next 6 months. Key factors include securing a non-profit partner to help incubate the program locally by providing space to hold volunteer orientations, be the fiscal conduit for donations and other operational needs. We're also seeking seed funding to establish the dispatch system, purchase team supply bags, pay for insurance and other start up costs. Your contribution will help bring RightRides to DC sooner than later!

Do you know a great organization we could partner with? Do you have other ideas about how to bring RightRides to DC? Please contact Oraia Reid, Executive Director or Hollaback DC (the folks bringing RightRides to DC).