An organization moving forward to expand services for the aging population in El Paso and Teller counties, Envida offers transportation options and home care.

Founded in 1971 to provide transportation for people with disabilities, the result of a grant from the Rotary Club in Colorado Springs.

In 1990, after the U.S. Congress passed the Americans with Disability Act, municipalities with public transit system were required to provide ADA transportation, said Gail Nehls, Envida’s chief executive officer.

For the next 27 years, the organization provided ADA-approved transportation as Amblicab.

In 2017 the organization changed the name to Envida and added transportation for people who are developmentally disabled and/or those with non-emergency medical needs in Teller County.

“We worked with Teller Senior Coalition and Cripple Creek Transit to support them,” Nehls said. “During COVID, we helped people with mental illness and also helped out with some of the school programs.”

Along with taking Teller County residents to Colorado Springs for appointments and dialysis treatments, Envida provides transportation to and from adult day programs.

With two certified auto technicians on staff, Envida ensures that the vehicles are fine-tuned.

“We make sure the lifts (wheelchair) are safe, and the heat is working,” Nehls said.

Addressing a need, Envida provides unskilled care for seniors, helping with tasks such as changing sheets, shopping for groceries, or even taking a walk together.

“We are in a national crisis,” Nehls said. “By 2050, people needing care will be double the number of people providing care.”

Funded chiefly by federal, state and local governments, in addition to donations and grants, Envida is a resource for a variety of needs.

“The intent is to keep people living in their homes as long as they can,” Nehls said. “So we provide access to all the services they need. Nobody wants to be institutionalized Studies have shown that people are happier when they can age at home.”

For information, call (719) 633-4601 or check www.envidacares.org.