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Connections transportation services

Connections provides wheelchair accessible transportation for patients’ medical appointments to and from several service locations. It is funded by the West Valley Hospital Foundation and staffed entirely by West Valley Hospital volunteers. This free service is a wonderful resource for patients.

VOlunteer connections van 23

Service locations

Anyone living in Polk County can be taken to any medical, dental, or vision appointment from any service provider in Polk County. Common locations include, but are not limited to:
West Valley Hospital

  • Salem Health Medical Clinic-Dallas
  • Salem Health Medical Clinic-Monmouth
  • Salem Health Medical Clinic-Uglow Ave
  • Salem Health Medical Clinic-Miller Ave

Hours

Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Schedule a ride

Call 503-917-2113. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Become a volunteer driver

The connections program is a volunteer driven transportation service. Volunteers receive specialized training as well as a free meal every shift.

Help your neighbors get to their appointments!

Minimum requirements

  • Attend one four-hour volunteer shift weekly.
  • Have a valid driver's license.
  • Pass a background check.
  • Attend a driver health-check annually.
  • Fulfill other requirements as mentioned on the application.
Click here to apply.
Connections van services-2024

 

Support Connections

Your neighbors need your help. Volunteer to drive them to their medical appointments in Polk County.

This is a purely volunteer and philanthropy driven transportation service — your support is greatly appreciated! If you're interested in supporting Connections, please visit our donation page and select your donation to be used for Connections. You can also contact our volunteer coordinator at 503-917-2055.

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, learn more on the Salem Health Volunteer Services page.

History

Connections began in 2001 at West Valley Hospital, then known as Valley Community Hospital. Hospital staff saw that many elderly patients had trouble getting to medical appointments. This motivated staff to find a solution. Their answer was the Connections program.

Thanks to a grant from the Collins Foundation, the hospital was able to buy a bus. This bus is still in service today and driven entirely by volunteers. These drivers help ensure that all members of Polk County can make it to medical appointments.

Many of Salem Health’s departments managed Connections over the next few years. But each department had the same goal: helping those in need get to crucial appointments.

Cherriots, the area’s public transportation system, provided a grant in 2016. That grant allowed Connections to hire someone to coordinate rides. In 2019, the Cherriots grant was approved for renewal. Another grant in 2016 from Salem Health Foundation made it possible to buy a second vehicle. These extra resources will allow Connections to better serve the community for years to come.