A new Hope PACE Hope Mobile will be on the road soon as the result of a $84,750 grant from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Hope was awarded funds from FDOT’s Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program to add to their fleet vehicles for Hope PACE – a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Hope Mobiles transport program participants who want to remain independent in their communities and in their own homes to and from Hope’s PACE Centers in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

“Adding additional capacity to our fleet of Hope Mobiles helps us serve even more people in the community who will benefit from our PACE programs,” said Samira K. Beckwith, president and CEO of Hope HealthCare Services. “The FDOT grant allows us to help ensure the safety and comfort of those in our care.”

The grant combines $67,800 in federal funds with $8,475 contributions from both the state and Hope HealthCare Services. The funds will be used to purchase a 26-foot-long bus with lift and capacity for up to 12 ambulatory seats and four wheelchairs that expands the Hope PACE fleet to 14 vehicles.