JumpStart History
In loving memory of my wife Kimberly Alison Ferland
July 3rd, 1970 - June 17th, 2022
Hello, My name is Chris Ferland. My late wife Kimberly & I started developing our JumpStart initiative about a year before we even opened and took her several years to come up with the ways to help. Together we have made it what it is today, a part of our social business designed to give a hand up instead of a hand out. Sadly, Kimberly passed away June 17th, 2022 from her long battle with cancer and there are some really big shoes to fill as her husband. So what kimberly and I came up with shortly before she passed was JumpStart 2.0. We have created a board that oversees how things are done and Jesse (service manager) & Matt (shop foreman) and I (Chris Ferland) will be the the main people and we will do our very best to carry on what my amazing wife Kimberly started and put so much work into.
In loving memory of my wife Kimberly Alison Ferland - July 3rd, 1970 - June 17th, 2022
In loving memory of my wife Kimberly Alison Ferland - July 3rd, 1970 - June 17th, 2022
Covid has changed the way we do JumpStart
About our JumpStart Fund
We are working to create a new way of doing business, a business which cares for people first, then profits. Good News Auto was created for one reason: to create a sustainable model of caring for our community. We do this in a few different ways:
The first is through our Annual Car Care Vehicle education workshop. We created our car care courses so anyone can learn more about their vehicle and how to operate a vehicle safely and affordably. This workshop is open to anyone who is interested in learning about their vehicle. It is held in the month of June, and we will be starting registration for this in April of 2023. Please stay tuned.
The second way we help is through our JumpStart Fund. Our JumpStart Fund is created as a way to help people who are employed but are facing a large vehicle repair. This does not include anyone one on any form of government assistance (sorry). We offer a “jumpstart” so people don’t have to choose between repairs and rent. Our hope is to keep people safe, on the road and able to work. If you are employed and would like to apply contact Jesse at jesse@goodnewsauto.ca. The proccess for applying can take up to 2 weeks as we work with a local church that helps us with some of the funding. The application is available from Jesse at the front desk. *VIP- we will not be able to help you with your vehicle repairs if you do not mention JumpStart prior to us working on your vehicle. An example of this would be if you call in as a customer and book in your vehicle for something, we do the work and when we call you or let you know your vehicle is ready for pick-up and you mention that you would like to apply for JumpStart. Each JumpStart vehicle repair will have to have a complete vehicle inspection to make sure the vehicle warrants having the investment Good News Auto and our Church partner will be putting in.
Examples of vehicles that don't qualify for assistance:
-Over 250,000 kms.
-European or vehicles made before 1998.
-The repairs needed exceed the vehicle's value.
Where did we get the name JumpStart?
There have been many times where someone has been stranded on the side of the road and has been offered a JumpStart to get them back up and running. This is our way of offering a JumpStart to people in our community. Our JumpStart Fund is funded by a portion of our profits, customer donations and community organization sponsorships.
The first is through our Annual Car Care Vehicle education workshop. We created our car care courses so anyone can learn more about their vehicle and how to operate a vehicle safely and affordably. This workshop is open to anyone who is interested in learning about their vehicle. It is held in the month of June, and we will be starting registration for this in April of 2023. Please stay tuned.
The second way we help is through our JumpStart Fund. Our JumpStart Fund is created as a way to help people who are employed but are facing a large vehicle repair. This does not include anyone one on any form of government assistance (sorry). We offer a “jumpstart” so people don’t have to choose between repairs and rent. Our hope is to keep people safe, on the road and able to work. If you are employed and would like to apply contact Jesse at jesse@goodnewsauto.ca. The proccess for applying can take up to 2 weeks as we work with a local church that helps us with some of the funding. The application is available from Jesse at the front desk. *VIP- we will not be able to help you with your vehicle repairs if you do not mention JumpStart prior to us working on your vehicle. An example of this would be if you call in as a customer and book in your vehicle for something, we do the work and when we call you or let you know your vehicle is ready for pick-up and you mention that you would like to apply for JumpStart. Each JumpStart vehicle repair will have to have a complete vehicle inspection to make sure the vehicle warrants having the investment Good News Auto and our Church partner will be putting in.
Examples of vehicles that don't qualify for assistance:
-Over 250,000 kms.
-European or vehicles made before 1998.
-The repairs needed exceed the vehicle's value.
Where did we get the name JumpStart?
There have been many times where someone has been stranded on the side of the road and has been offered a JumpStart to get them back up and running. This is our way of offering a JumpStart to people in our community. Our JumpStart Fund is funded by a portion of our profits, customer donations and community organization sponsorships.
About Car Care & Jumpstart Fund
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Our StorySeveral years ago, Sherwood Park Alliance Church started their Car Care Ministry. The purpose was to assist people in financial difficulty with repairing their vehicles. It was a community endeavor: the abour, parts and shop space were all donated and the ministry ran twice a year for about 10 years. In 2012 organizers began to see an opportunity.
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The DreamTo create a community mechanic shop where more people and their vehicles could access repairs, learn about their vehicle and receive a boost when they need it. Everyone has needed a “jumpstart” and waited in a parking lot or on the side of the road until someone with jumper cables came by to give their vehicle a boost. This picture is the foundation of our business. A locally owned mechanic shop supported by our community and in turn, giving back to our community.
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The RealityGood News Auto opened its doors in September 2012. Good News Auto is a fully licensed retail mechanic shop created with a specific purpose: to ensure that customers have access to safe and affordable transportation. We do this through our JumpStart Fund and Car Care vehicle education.
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Car Care EducationWe believe learning about your vehicle and how to plan for a crisis is the best way to keep your vehicle safe and affordable.
We believe this so much we have created a way for people to earn money towards your vehicle repairs. |
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JumpStart FundOur JumpStart Fund has been created because sometimes crisis just happens. No matter how well you care for your car sometimes it just isn’t enough. That’s when we can help. This is our way of giving people in our community a jumpstart!
Our JumpStart Fund is funded through Good News Auto’s profits, customer donations and Sherwood Park Alliance’s continuing support. The whole community working together to make a difference for our community. |
