Vivalon & Community Action Marin Partner for Free Driving Program

Vivalon (formerly known as Whistlestop), a San Rafael-based non-profit that promotes the independence, well-being and quality of life for older adults and people living with disabilities, and Community Action Marin, the largest non-profit social services provider in Marin County dedicated to helping people achieve well-being by providing education, mental health, and other vital services, have partnered to create a local and free commercial driver training academy. The Driver Academy will provide those Marin residents age 21+ with the necessary training and resources needed to find local commercial driving employment.

Each participant in the Driver Academy will complete a two-week instruction course, First Aid & CPR training, classroom and behind the wheel instruction, and will receive job placement assistance. Throughout the program, Community Action Marin will also provide support services. This is a great opportunity for eligible Marin Residents to begin an exciting new career with job security, drive commercial vehicles, earn more, and achieve a sense of accomplishment daily!

Driver shortages have become a reality nationwide over the past two years, as many agencies are left shorthanded after pandemic-induced hiring freezes, compounded by the fact that many older drivers retired when routes were canceled.“Driver shortages are a reality locally and nationally, and the added constraints related to the COVID-19 pandemic have increased this reality exponentially,” said Anne Grey, Vivalon CEO. “We’re thrilled to partner with Community Action Marin – an organization with a rich history of assisting underserved communities – to create this innovative driver training academy that addresses Marin’s driver shortage, while also helping graduates find reliable paid jobs.”

Those interested in the program can contact Community Action Marin at 415.526.7590 or driveracademy@camarin.org. They can also learn more on their website.