Uber-backed ‘Hope Rides’ program launches in Florida at CASA Family Justice Center in St. Pete

St. Petersburg leaders are launching a new initiative aimed at removing transportation barriers for survivors of domestic violence and other forms of interpersonal harm.

The program, known as “Hope Rides,” is a partnership between Alliance for HOPE International and Uber that provides free rides for survivors seeking services at Family Justice Centers. The initiative is expanding into Florida for the first time, with the launch event held at the CASA Family Justice Center in St. Petersburg.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor and St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch were among officials participating in the rollout. They appeared alongside Alliance for HOPE International President and CEO Catherine Johnson and Uber Director of Safety & Accessibility Policy Meghan Casserly. The event also included a moderated discussion featuring local advocates and survivors.

Survivors can access transportation to Family Justice Centers through the program. The Centers provide coordinated services such as legal assistance, counseling and safety planning at no cost. The effort aims to eliminate one of the most immediate obstacles, transport, that people face while attempting to leave dangerous situations or seek help.

“It really does take a greater foundation these days to support people, to give them the confidence they need so they can reach out for help — that there is a safe place they can turn to. On the federal side of the equation, we’ve really tried to help with resources through the violence against women act,” Castor said.

“That was originally passed years ago, and it really had been the landmark federal law that provides those resources to states and local communities. But we’re not able to meet all of the needs. It really just scratches the surface and I wish we could do so much more. That’s why it’s heartening to see folks coming together across this loving and caring community, led by a Mayor that leads with his heart.”

The program already operates in 11 states nationally. Welch said the expansion is a step toward improving access to safety services in Pinellas County, where CASA operates one of the region’s primary hubs for survivors of domestic violence. Welch praised the organization for creating partnerships that address those types of needs.

“Transportation may seem like a simple thing to many of us, but to survivors it can be one of the greatest barriers to getting help,” Welch said.

“If you can’t get to the courthouse, a safe place or the services that you need, then access to life-changing support becomes difficult or impossible. This partnership helps remove that barrier. When we talk about supporting survivors, we’re talking about access, we’re talking about dignity, and the ability to move forward safely.”

Welch shared that he once worked as an Uber driver, driving on 1,000 rides and ending his time working there with a 4.97 rating.

“Check the records; I would do it again. I did it in 2018, 2019 when I was County Commission Chair. I just learned so much about our community, the people that I would normally never meet,” Welch said.

“Uber connects real people with real needs. During my 1,000 Uber rides, I’ll tell you, nobody was talking politics. They were talking about how to get their mothers to the doctor’s appointment and physical therapists, an amazing number of children that I did not expect to get to school, but just people trying to live their lives.”

Welch later told Florida Politics that he’s proud of St. Petersburg for paving a path forward for Florida communities who seek to support victims of domestic violence.

“CASA is just a wonderful, forward-thinking organization that has earned the support of the community,” Welch said. “It doesn’t surprise me that they would do something innovative like this, because if you can’t get to the services that barrier remains. This is a great innovative partnership.”

Johnson said transportation remains the top obstacle identified by victim advocates nationwide, limiting access to critical services even in communities with strong support systems. She said the partnership helps address the problem, but that the work is about more than simple transportation, it’s about restoring someone’s future.

“This isn’t just about transportation, it’s creating pathways to healing,” she said. “At the Alliance we talk about the science of hope and that idea is that the future can be brighter than your past.”