How and Why I Became a Driver for IVCG

July 23, 2026

By Hank Mixsell

Okay neighbor... You TOO can be thrust into a novel.

I love being a volunteer driver for the IVCG RIDES program.

Getting to know each client is a bit like being inserted into a non-fiction novel; every rider’s background story has been part of a new and fascinating narrative of the American diaspora in the 21st century. For a guy in his mid-70's, the chance to learn about so many different stories has given me a fresh perspective that I never had before. 

Here's how it all began.

In 2018, my wife and I moved from Massachusetts back to Hamden, where we'd previously lived for over 30 years. I looked forward to my new life retirement after spending five decades in education, while my wife began to work with an educational consulting group. During that first summer home in Hamden, I spent hours outdoors, mowing grass, watering plants, weed-whacking, and maintaining our pool. As fall approached and my yard work became less demanding, I started to look for something else to do, preferably in service to my community.

I volunteered intermittently at the local Food Bank, a reading program for inner city youth, and finally an adult class teaching Spanish to Hispanic day laborers. Then, through a neighbor’s recommendation, I found Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of Greater New Haven. The more I learned about various IVCG activities, the more I was intrigued by the RIDES program.

It offered the opportunity to drive my car (which I love to do), and meet new and fascinating people from all walks of life on a schedule that I could accommodate according to my own schedule. It was, at the very least, a win-win. I got to do a “job” I loved while at the same time IVCG got a reliable, experienced driver with lots of time on his hands. The third “win” belonged to the clients who were able to go to their medical appointments reliably and inexpensively.

I immediately enjoyed my new occupation. I could choose which clients to drive, based on their appointment times, locations, and my own daily routine. Gradually, I have gotten to know many of the RIDES + regulars and we look forward to catching up with each other every time I am their driver.

As I have become more involved, I have learned to appreciate the people behind the scenes who make RIDES+ work as efficiently and flawlessly as possible. The other drivers share, I think, a feeling of “quiet commitment” to their responsibility, providing an essential service to their clients without expecting anything in return.

Chris and Sherrie, who ably manage the scheduling and software from our partner ITNAmerica, and Dan, who is always there to answer questions, make adjustments and drive on a moment’s notice when necessary. Until I am physically unable to do this, I plan to continue to provide what has become this delightful and rewarding “symbiotic occupation” of giving and receiving, providing transportation to those who would otherwise not have access to it.

Finally, I encourage others who are able to consider joining this effort so they too can reap the rewards RIDES+ brings to both the community and its drivers.

Join me! I know you'll love being part of the adventure.