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In a land that gave in to urban sprawl many years ago, where most everybody seems to own their own automobile, it is easy to take for granted getting from here to there. But the plain fact is that not everybody owns a car, and many don’t have the ability to drive, especially some senior citizens who make up a good portion of the Northwest Valley.
A decade ago, the dearth of transit past Arrowhead Towne Center and into the outer reaches of northwest Maricopa County was becoming more and more evident.
Lucky for many, a nonprofi t emerged from this void and has been providing much needed transportation assistance ever since.
Northwest Valley Connect was founded in 2014 and today serves a client base of 4,000 individuals, or 40% of the 8,500 residents identified by the U.S. 2010 Census who lack access to transit in the area.
In 2023, Northwest Valley Connect provided 2,047 rides to Peoria residents.
Since the nonprofit’s inception, Kathy Chandler served as its executive director until retiring in February 2023, and has had a huge hand in making sure thousands of Valley residents get to and from their doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, and many other destinations.
The birth of NVC was the beginning of the only transit call center in the West Valley, and it sprung from Chandler’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the industry, her colleagues say.
Chandler has been responsible for effectively managing the organization in order to provide transportation and transportation resources to seniors, veterans and those disabled who live in the Northwest Valley.
“You never know people’s circumstances and when you may be in need yourself,” she said. “It makes your community better when you participate in community events, when you help your neighbors, when you do something to help others.”
For her service to the community, Chandler has been named a Peoria Independent Hometown Hero in the Trailblazer category.
The Hometown Heroes Awards are a celebration of individuals who live or work in the city, and Peoria businesses for their achievements and distinguished contributions to the community and beyond.
Chandler will be honored at an awards luncheon next year. The fourth annual Hometown Heroes luncheon will honor those nominated in 2024.
Providing the service of getting people — especially those who do not have the means — from one place to another, has been intrinsic to Chandler’s life. Her grandfather was a dairy farmer and in 1939 he was trucking milk into town and the superintendent of schools asked him to bring the farm kids in as well.
From there, a school bus company was born transporting children to and from school in Kaukauna Wisconsin, located about 100 miles north of Milwaukee.
Chandler’s cousins continue to run the business today.
“My aunts and uncles drove the buses I rode to school. My mom drove special needs buses. My dad drove, and my older brother drove,” she said.
She added that she wanted nothing to do with buses and transit, but when her youngest child was old enough to go to school, she went to the school district for a job. They sent her to the bus yard and she became a dispatcher and back up bus driver.
“I really enjoyed this job,” she said.
Chandler has had over 15 years of management experience, including paratransit and transportation functions, day-to-day strategy management as well as operations and customer service experience.
Chandler’s colleagues say she has been instrumental in growing Northwest Valley Connect and its outreach in the various communities the company serves, including Peoria.
Sharon Hettick, former NVC board member, said that in the early days of the organization, it was difficult getting it going because it was located in unincorporated Maricopa County, lacking a form of government. But Chandler was able to get grants for her salary and other needs, as well as come up with different ways to raise money for the organization, Hettick said.
Chandler also established a great network of volunteers, and went out and rode with residents of Sun City and Sun City West, finding the needs and laying down a network of transportation routes, she said.
“Kathy was incredible at getting the need known, making connections and making the seniors feel special,” Hettick said. “She did an outstanding job of working with seniors and getting the services they need.”
Under Chandler’s leadership, Northwest Valley Connect calls grew from nearly 4,000 in 2015 to about 23,000 calls in 2021. Obviously, the need has been great for such resources in the region.
Former NVC board member and volunteer Bonnie Boyce-Wilson said Chandler has been a valuable asset in Peoria and the West Valley for over 10 years.
“She built Northwest Valley Connect using primarily volunteer drivers and call center operators, and designed a ride service delivery system to get riders to medical appointments, hair care, shopping, senior centers and other important destinations,” she said. “Most of the West Valley does not have access to bus service or any public transportation. Kathy filled that need through Northwest Valley Connect. She certainly deserves recognition for her dedication, determination and success.”
Learn more about Chandler here .
Philip Haldiman can be reached at phaldiman@iniusa.org, or on Twitter @ philiphaldiman. We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa. org.
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