NORTHAMPTON — Florence resident Tarah Dunn is on the road to a more liberated life after receiving a car donation from a nonprofit whose mission is to give away cars to people who need a boost.

Dunn’s “new” blue 2013 Ford Fiesta, delivered this month by Good News Garage, will give her much more freedom than she’s had over the last few years.

“Having this car will allow me to seek employment outside of the home, which will be good for me socially and good for my mental health,” she said.

Founded in 1996 in Vermont, Good News Garage collects and refurbishes donated cars for Massachusetts and Vermont residents. Over the last 25 years, the organization has awarded vehicles to over 5,500 New England residents, “empowering them to move out of poverty and into financial independence and social stability,” according to the organization’s website.

Good News Garage works in partnership with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, a state agency that provides vocational services to people with physical and mental disabilities. Car recipients must be employed or have a written plan for employment and meet other qualifying criteria.

Dunn found out about the car donation program while working through mental health issues with the state commission. She is currently employed online as a part-time tutor of middle and high school students, but is looking forward to the new employment opportunities her car will afford her.

“It will also allow me to do other things like go to the Y, visit the library, and other things that I wasn’t able to do before,” she added.

Tom Kupfer, marketing manager for Good News Garage, said it is getting increasingly difficult to acquire donated cars due to pandemic-related car shortages and record-high car prices. Since March 2020, the nonprofit has seen a roughly 50% decline in car donations.

At the same time, used cars are less affordable than they have ever been, and therefore the need for donations is higher than ever. When low-income families and individuals cannot afford a car, it becomes more difficult to find steady employment and live self-sufficiently.

“Without a vehicle, we’re literally stuck in place,” Kupfer said. “So then you’re in this ‘chicken or the egg’ situation where if you don’t have a car, you can’t get a job. And if you don’t have a job, you can’t get a car.

“The vehicle is literally a ride out of generational poverty. ... It’s very rewarding to see that and to hear about the transformation that the vehicle allows people to have.”

Kupfer said the program is a “win-win solution” for all involved. Car recipients are given the freedom to forge a new path, donors receive a tax deduction of up to fair market value, and local automotive businesses are utilized for repairs.

“This is a really wonderful program,” Dunn said. “I encourage people to donate to it because it really helps people’s lives.”

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