Community Care Network of Nichols (CCNN), a volunteer community service organization out of Nichols, NY, is a long- term partner of MMSCNY. CCNN, established in 1999 to serve the town and village of Nichols, expanded into Southside Owego in 2011, and in 2013 into the Towns of Barton and Tioga.

They match resources with needs--needs such as: friendly visits, reassuring phone calls, transportation services, problem solving and information and referral services. Dorothy ('Dot') Richter, executive director of CCNN, offers the following about their work and its relationship to transportation.

It has always been about bridging the gaps to provide access to services. The result is neighbors helping neighbors. Transportation is a huge community need and hugely important -- especially in rural areas like our own. We rely on it for everything -- health care needs, entertainment, employment, school, etc. Without it, life is challenging at best and can be nearly impossible.

Transportation has grown in significance to CCNN's efforts during the past eight years I've been involved. I've seen the need double in just the most recent two. At this point, its full speed ahead. The availability of public transportation is not the only influence. It's not

Dot Richter, Exec. Dir., CCNN

all about the bus system, though changes in Tioga County's bus system in 2014 had a huge impact on our neighbors and their needs. Not everyone can take advantage of a bus system. Those who are disabled and or elderly often must look to other solutions. A Taxi is not always the answer.

CCNN is only able to offer our services because of dedicated volunteers. They sustain us-they are how and why we can continue our work. We appreciate them beyond words and wish we could do more to recognize them, but it isn't recognition that they seek. Possibly that feeling of being able to assist those in need is what sustains them. They come to us. Word of mouth is how the overwhelming majority of our volunteers, and also our clients, hear about us. Trust is also what brings our clients to us and keeps them coming back. Building the trust of the people we serve is a big issue. Our motto is that we are always available. Our phones are answered 95 % of the time, often by our client services coordinator, Makayla Bean.

	Makayla Bean, CCNN Client Services Coordinator

She joined us this spring, and has been great at building relationships with our callers. Her availability also addresses the related issue of continuity. People are getting to know the voice on the other end of the phone.

The feeling of togetherness within our organization is important too -- by working together we can accomplish something good for the community and our neighbors. But our work depends on working with other organizations across the community as well. It increases our ability to share information and resources and to advocate more effectively for the needs we seek to meet.

When asked about her hopes for the future of CCNN, Dot indicates that she'd like to see more satellites, meaning that more areas and more people could be served. Transportation is just one component. A satellite could choose an area of need they'd like to address and design an array to services to meet the need. We'd like to see other groups step up and take on or share ownership responsibilities, but we realize it is a difficult, time-consuming commitment to make, even for a group and especially in smaller, rural communities. Ownership includes issues such as administration and board management among other demanding concerns.

You will see more information about CCNN in upcoming issues.

Reach them by phone at (607) 414 - 1018 or (607) 731 - 3100,

 or by e-mail.