It’s hard to remember a time when Jerry Cahn wasn’t a part of the fabric of our organization. We’d probably have to go back through our records to find the date of the first time he brought a participant to The Gathering Place in his taxi. For a number of years, we have provided taxi service for participants who otherwise would not be able to get to The Gathering Place. Funding for this service has been provided by a number of foundations. We are so very grateful for the financial support we receive for this program, but today’s story is about the taxi driver Jerry Cahn.

Jerry does more than just drive the AmeriCab taxi that makes several trips  each week bringing participants and their families for programs and services. He remembers the names of all his passengers and their stories. He helps them in and out of the taxi and knows when not to help those that would rather do it themselves. Everyone who uses the taxi service always has kind words to share about Jerry because of how important he makes each participant feel. It’s as if he is their very own personal driver.

Once we had a participant who didn’t show up at the door of the apartment building for a scheduled pick up. Jerry called The Gathering Place to ask if she’d cancelled. She had not. Jerry had been bringing this participant to TGP for some time and knew it wasn’t like her to not show up. He also knew that she hadn’t been feeling well and she lived alone. So Jerry went back to the apartment building and talked to the super who called the apartment. When the super didn’t get an answer he went up to the apartment and knocked on the door. Our participant called out that she had fallen and needed assistance getting up.

Jerry’s job is to drive people back and forth between two destinations but what he does is help to make a difference in the lives of our participants. We are grateful that he goes above and beyond and that we can count him as a part of our caring community. Thank you Jerry!!