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Driven to renew Foundation (Formerly Jumpstart Fund 2.0)
A Tribute to Kimberly Alison Ferland
The JumpStart Fund began as a heartfelt initiative borne from the compassionate vision of Kimberly Alison Ferland and her husband, Chris Ferland.
Sadly, Kimberly lost her fight with cancer in June 2022, so Chris made a decision to carry it forward. It's goal is to help people who struggle to pay for necessary vehicle repairs. The JumpStart Fund is now called Driven to Renew, managed by the Driven to Renew Foundation.
History
Before the inception of Good News Auto Repair, Kimberly and Chris had been developing the JumpStart concept for about a year. Kimberly, driven by her desire to make a positive difference in the community, dedicated significant time and effort to shape the program's framework. Together, they envisioned JumpStart as more than just a charitable endeavor but as a social business model designed to offer a hand up rather than a handout.
JumpStart 2.0
In the wake of Kimberly's passing, Chris Ferland took up the mantle of advancing their shared vision, now known as JumpStart 2.0. Collaborating closely with Jesse, Kelsey and Jacob (service advisors), each application is meticulously reviewed and analyzed. With the guidance of the dedicated team overseeing the program's operations, they remain steadfast in upholding Kimberly's legacy. Together, they ensure that JumpStart continues to shine as a beacon of hope for those in need.
The JumpStart Fund operates on the principle of providing assistance to employed individuals who may be facing substantial vehicle repair costs. By offering financial support, JumpStart aims to alleviate the burden of having to choose between essential repairs and other critical expenses like rent. Through a meticulous application process and collaboration with local partners, JumpStart strives to keep individuals safe, mobile, and empowered to maintain their livelihoods.
Over time, the program has evolved to incorporate various elements, including annual Car Care Vehicle Education workshops and stringent criteria to ensure assistance reaches those who truly need it. The name "JumpStart" symbolizes the program's mission to offer a fresh start to individuals experiencing automotive crises, supported by a community-driven funding model fueled by Good News Auto's profits, customer donations, and sponsorships from community organizations.
In essence, the JumpStart Fund stands as a testament to Kimberly's enduring spirit of generosity and compassion, continuing to uplift and empower individuals within the community, one repair at a time.
Introducing Driven to Renew
For over a decade, JumpStart 2.0 helped hundreds of working families stay safe and employed by covering critical vehicle repairs through Good News Auto. But as the need grew—and the vision expanded beyond cars—the program evolved into something larger.
Driven to Renew Foundation was created to carry that mission forward. Officially launched on September 8th 2025. It builds on JumpStart’s legacy of dignity-based aid while expanding into new areas of support: home repairs, utilities, groceries, transit, counselling, and education. It’s the same heart, same people, and same purpose—now with the strength of a dedicated non-profit organization built to reach more families than ever before.Driven to Renew is JumpStart 2.0—renewed, expanded, and here to serve Alberta for generations to come.
How driven works?
Driven to Renew Foundation helps Alberta families move from crisis to stability through a blend of emergency relief, education, and dignity-based support. When a vehicle breaks down, a furnace fails, or bills pile up, we step in—not with handouts, but with partnership. Through our 75/25 Funding Model, families contribute a small portion toward their own repairs or relief, while donors cover the rest. This shared approach preserves dignity, builds ownership, and stretches every dollar to help more people. Our programs include:
- Vehicle Safety Repairs – Subsidized by up to 75%, keeping people working, safe, and mobile.
- Emergency Home Repairs & Utility Relief – Partnering with trusted local trades to restore safety and stability.
- Financial Literacy & Education – Online learning that empowers families to budget, plan, and thrive long-term.
- Transit, Childcare & Crisis Support – Short-term aid that helps families get back on their feet.
We believe that true renewal happens when people are seen, supported, and given the tools to rebuild. That’s why every act of assistance is paired with education—because lasting change begins with learning, not just aid. Driven to Renew: restoring hope, rebuilding lives, and moving Alberta families forward.
Eligibility
If you're dealing with vehicle safety repair costs and cannot afford repairs, Driven to Renew Foundation might be the solution for you.
This program is designed to assist people like you, so you don’t have to choose between necessary safety repairs and other important bills, like rent. To apply for Driven to Renew, please visit their website at www.driventorenew.org
Restrictions
*must reside in the Edmonton area
While our Driven to Renew Foundation aims to provide assistance to individuals facing significant vehicle safety repair expenses, there are certain restrictions and limitations in place. Examples of vehicles that may not qualify for assistance include:
- Vehicles with over 250,000 kilometers on the odometer.
- European vehicles or vehicles manufactured before 1998.
- Vehicles where the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle's assessed value.
- Vehicles that servicing and maintenance has been neglected for long periods of time.
- Vehicles that have been in a recent motor vehicle accident.
- Vehicles that have excessive body damage.
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Additionally, it's important to note that our Driven to Renew Fund is specifically designed to help employed individuals who are facing financial challenges with vehicle repairs. The applicant is required to be employed and cannot have already received assistance from Jumpstart or Driven to Renew in the past. Unfortunately, this assistance is not available to those already receiving government assistance. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However, we do offer a $250 grant based on an individual basis. Please understand, there is no automatic approval process, or can we help everyone who applies. I wish we could, but we simply cannot.
Applying for Driven to renew funding
Ready to apply for assistance through the Driven to Renew Foundation? Here's how:
Read this page:
Read this page to learn about the process. We want to assist you, but first, we need some basic information.
goto driven to renews website:
Step one is available at the Driven to Renew website.
contact us if needed :
If you haven't received a response from us within three days, you can reach out to applications@driventorenew.org to check on the status.
Vehicle Inspection:
Each Driven to Renew vehicle repair requires a full inspection of the vehicle. This is essential to protect the investment made by Good News Auto and our sponsor a repair supporters. After completing step 2, we will need to arrange for this inspection, which will be at your expense since we can only use our funds for emergency repairs.
Important Note:
*must reside in the Edmonton area
Always inform us about Driven to Renew before any vehicle repairs or repair appointments. If you don't, it will affect your ability to receive assistance. For example, if a customer schedules a repair appointment, arrives, and we complete the repairs, but then later expresses interest in applying for JumpStart, we cannot approve that request. We appreciate your understanding regarding this issue.
Empowering Vehicle Owners
A Community's Compassion
Our Car Care Program initiative traces its roots back to the inception of the Sherwood Park Alliance Church's Car Care Ministry several years ago. Originally established to aid individuals in financial distress with their vehicle repairs, this ministry operated as a biannual community effort, relying on donated labor, parts, and shop space for approximately a decade.
Vision for Expansion
In 2012, recognizing an opportunity to expand their impact, organizers envisioned a larger vision: to establish a community mechanic shop where more individuals could access repairs, gain valuable knowledge about their vehicles, and receive support when needed most.
Realizing the Dream
This dream became a reality with the opening of Good News Auto in September 2012. As a fully licensed retail mechanic shop, Good News Auto was founded with a clear mission: to ensure that customers have access to safe and affordable transportation. This commitment is realized through our JumpStart Fund, providing financial assistance for repairs, and our Car Care vehicle education program.
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To apply for assistance, simply contact Driven to Renew on their website www.driventorenew.org, They will guide you through the application process and provide further instructions.
The Driven to Renew Fund provides assistance for large vehicle repairs that employed individuals may be facing. These repairs could include issues with the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension, and more. Reach out to us for specific inquiries regarding your repair needs.
Yes, there may be a waiting period of up to two weeks for Driven to Renew assistance. This is because we collaborate with our donors for funding, and the application process requires careful consideration.
Yes, our Car Care educational workshops are open to anyone interested in learning more about their vehicle. Whether you're a car enthusiast or just want to enhance your knowledge, our workshops are designed to empower all vehicle owners.
What's happening?
driven to renew
Please check out their website at www.driventorenew.org
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