Vehicles for Change Steers Away from Elkridge

, a nonprofit group that provides donated cars to families in need, has acquired a building at 4111 Washington Blvd. and will move into its new location by May 15, according to the organization's executive director, Martin Schwartz.

Since 2006, Vehicles for Change has been located on the 5200 block of Washington Blvd., adjacent to the entrance to the Avalon area of .

Facing rising opposition from its neighbors in Relay, the group had as recently as February.

Instead, it will move into a location near Ridge Avenue in Halethorpe.

"This [property] became available, and we put in an offer," Schwartz said at a recent meeting of .

Schwartz said the organization has moved four times in 13 years.

"We've always moved because we outgrew the location," he said. "I don't think we'll outgrow this one."

The new location has a 33,000 square-foot building and a fenced lot that will provide additional security for the organization.

The building was previously home to ABC Roofing and has been vacant since December 2011.

Vehicles for Change refurbishes and sells cars to low-income families to help them overcome barriers to employment. Its average sale price is $700.

Since its founding in 1999, Vehicles for Change has awarded more than 3,000 cars, Schwartz said.

The organization also sells used cars to the public, the proceeds from which help underwrite the charitable side of the operation, he said.

Within the next year, the organization will begin an automotive training program in collaboration with the (CCBC).

"We're going to begin training auto mechanics, detailers, car sales people and sales people," Schwartz said.

The classroom portion of automotive training will be done by instructors at CCBC, with Vehicles for Change used for practical experience.

"They'll be working on cars donated to Vehicles for Change," Schwartz said. "We do tons of brakes and oil changes and tune-ups."