Neighbors Driving Neighbors
We are a nonprofit organization whose vision is that central Maine communities will be a place where people of all ages are able to enjoy meaningful lives while living in their homes.
NDN Volunteers, from left: Allan Harville, Libby Harville, Debbie Roe, Len Roe, Darlene Fontaine
Mission
To enrich our communities by coordinating volunteer drivers for those who do not drive, so they can more easily stay in their homes.
Service
Free transportation for adults for errands, exercise sessions, classes, medical appointments, shopping, socialization or volunteering.
Service Area
We drive residents of Vienna, Fayette, Mount Vernon, Belgrade, Rome and Readfield to within 35 miles.
NDN Bids a Fond Farewell to Joe Austin
On January 11, Neighbors Driving Neighbors held its’s annual in- person board meeting which combined the usual work of the board with a more informal potluck get-together to celebrate the new year. This year, we also had one more thing on the agenda—to acknowledge the retirement of our executive director, Joe Austin.
Joe joined us in 2022 as we tried to navigate the “new normal” of Covid 19. It was a challenge to be sure, but one that he met with determination and leadership. His many years working in career development, civic advancement and community outreach at UMF, USM and more had well prepared him for understanding the needs of a nonprofit such as ours. His “Maine DNA” certainly aligned him with our mission.
Over the years, Joe has helped to broaden our name recognition, has built trust in the community with both riders and drivers, has helped oversee our expansion to Readfield and has developed new donor development resources. He’s also been a steady, calm voice of reason and embodies the humble, neighborly guy that we all relate to—and feel honored to have worked with.
We wish him well on his next chapter.
Our Drivers
The drivers are generous neighbors who donate their time, vehicle, and gas with no compensation. All the drivers have had reference, driver, and background checks to ensure the highest level of safety.
Our Staff and Board of Directors
NDN is a non-profit organization with an Executive Director and a Program Coordinator, both part-time. The volunteer Board of Directors is dedicated and very active.
Our Donors
We are proud that more than half of our funding comes from private donations, showing that NDN enjoys broad support in the communities we serve. If you would like to make a donation to keep NDN on the road and towards thriving local communities, join our Pit Crew by setting up a monthly donation. It increases the predictability and sustainability of NDN services, and it is more convenient: no need to keep resubmitting donations.
We are also grateful for the support of the Belgrade Regional Health Center, John T. Gorman Foundation, Hannaford Brothers, Kennebec Savings Bank, Maine Community Fund, Maine Council on Aging, MaineGeneral Health and the Elsie and William Viles Foundation.