Veith Family’s Commitment to TRAIL
Remember the excitement of getting your driver’s license? That sense of freedom and independence? Adults with developmental disabilities experience those same feelings through TRAIL transportation by Reach. TRAIL gives them the freedom to participate in recreational and social activities of their choosing, with safe and affordable transportation; no more relying solely on friends and family. TRAIL riders simply sign up for transportation when registering for a program, and thanks to generous donations, they pay only a nominal roundtrip fare.
TRAIL was founded in 1990 by parents of adult children with developmental disabilities. Their goal was to ensure their children had safe, affordable transportation to attend the newly established AR&LE recreational and social programs. AR&LE, a partnership between Parks and Recreation and Community Education departments in the southwest metro, aimed to create opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities. But these parents knew that without transportation, their children couldn’t fully participate. They wanted their adult children to lead independent lives, long after their parents were no longer able to assist them. As a mother of a 42-year-old daughter with developmental disabilities, I shared that same love and commitment to ensure my daughter, Andrea, and her peers could have fulfilling and independent social lives.
My first experience with TRAIL was in the late 1990s, when I was an instructor for AR&LE. The smiles and excitement on my students’ faces as they stepped off the TRAIL bus immediately hooked me. When one of the founding parents invited me to join the TRAIL board in 1999, it was an easy “yes,” and I remained involved until TRAIL joined Reach in 2023.
When people ask what drives my commitment to TRAIL, I think of the top riders—those who rely on TRAIL to attend over 150 activities a year. That’s about 12 events each month where they get to explore new experiences and make memories with their friends. What a social life! And it’s all possible because of safe, affordable transportation.
TRAIL by Reach empowers adults with developmental disabilities to lead more independent lives, reducing the risk of loneliness and isolation. One of my greatest joys has been greeting a bus full of happy TRAIL riders over the years. Transportation is a cornerstone of independence, and that’s why my family has been proud to support TRAIL through donations and volunteering for more than 25 years. Independence is priceless.