For many years, with the help of an amazing network of drivers called Amistad, which means “Friendship” in Spanish, the Open Door Clinic offered free transportation for migrant patients going to medical appointments not only at theOpen Door Clinic, but all the specialists in Middlebury to which they were referred.
In 2009, we provided a total of 31 rides for 24 patients. In 2014, we provided 667 rides for 165 patients, and our volunteer drivers drove 23,000 miles. The transportation services became administratively and financially challenging, and we decided to discontinue this service in July 2015.
Migrant patients who need a ride will be given a list of peer migrant workers who have a Vermont Driver’s Privilege Card.
The Driver’s Privilege Card is available to anyone that is a Vermont Resident. Issuance of the DPC does not require proof of legal presence or US citizenship.
English Vermont Driver’s Manual