Give the gift of safe transportation this holiday.
Give the gift of safe transportation this holiday.
Community Assisted Rides (CARS) was formed in 1999 with grants from the Community Memorial Foundation and the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation to provide safe and dignified ride services for older adults in the Greater Lyons Township area. Since then, our organization has expanded, currently serving over 400 older adults in more than 22 communities. We see the deep benefit of helping the older adults we serve who are still active in their communities maintain that connection, uniting generations for the betterment of the community as a whole.
Originally called Interfaith Community Partners, our organization rebranded in 2024 as Community Assisted Rides to further expand outreach with a goal to serve even more older adults through rides, library services, and outreach efforts. Through the continued support of local churches, businesses, donors, and volunteers, Community Assisted Rides has a vision to bring together generations and help older adults thrive as they age. An inability to drive and similar challenges that come with aging can make it difficult for older folks to continue living healthy and active lives, but when older adults can participate more fully in life, the whole community benefits from their wisdom and joy.
CARS IN ACTION
When one of our seniors lost her ability to drive after a serious fall, we became her connection to independence. Our volunteers don’t just provide rides—we accompany seniors into stores, wait at appointments, and build genuine friendships.
We’re the reassurance families need and the dignified support seniors deserve.
Watch how we’re changing lives across Chicago’s western suburbs, one accompanied journey at a time.
Our board is comprised of people of achievement whose reputation within our community is one of leadership and integrity. We count on our board members for governance and active participation in furthering the mission of Community Assisted Rides.
Janet Garreau
Executive Director
Jill Borkowicz
Ride Coordinator
Cyndee Bronars
Community Engagement Coordinator
Katie Coutinho
Office Assistant
Cheryl Horvat
Ride Coordinator
Carrie McEneny
Office Manager
Kathy Stefanik
Ride Coordinator
EJ Tumpach
Office Assistant
Our partnership with local congregations plays a crucial role in our mission to assist older adults in thriving as they age and foster community support and outreach in the communities we serve. If you’d like your church to be affiliated with CARS, please call us at (708) 354-9328 and ask for executive director, or fill out our contact form.
* Founding church
We would not be able to connect our older friends with their communities without your support!
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We love hearing from you! If you are interested in becoming a VIP, volunteer, donor, or have a general question or comment for us, fill out our contact form or call (708) 354-9328 and someone from our office will get back to you soon.
Bob Grecco
Bob Grecco is a CPA who is part owner/operator of companies in Illinois, California, Minnesota, and New York. He has lived in Western Springs for 40 years with his wife of 43 years, Ginny. Bob has two daughters and three grandchildren. He has served on CARS Board of Directors at various times during the organization’s history, beginning almost with its inception 23 years ago. Over the years, Bob has served as a driver, treasurer, and president. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Men’s Club at St. John of the Cross Parish and sings in the choir. He also volunteers each year for the SJC Parish Festival, Brew Moon, and Endless Summerfest. On a national level, Bob serves on the Board of Directors of Alpha Phi Delta Foundation, an organization that raises money not only to support the fraternity but also to assist in charitable and philanthropic endeavors.
Doris Bryant
Doris Bryant is a retired attorney, having spent most of her career at Allstate Insurance Company. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana with a B.A. in economics and an M.Ed. in math education. She’s also a graduate of IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law. She and her husband David have lived in the La Grange community for over 40 years. They have five children and six grandchildren. Doris has served on various boards of the First Congregational Church of La Grange and served two separate terms as moderator (president) of the Church Council. She was a founding member of the Saturday Meals Advisory Committee. Doris served as a board member of Plymouth Place Senior Living for nine years, including a two-year term as chair of the board. She is a volunteer driver for CARS and is committed to its mission.
Julianne Rizzo
Secretary
Julianne is a registered nurse with over three decades of experience in bedside, hospital administration, care management, and now dedicated to work with older adults to help them find safer living options as the owner of Oasis Senior Advisors of Southwest Chicago. Julianne has worked in the non-profit sector her entire professional career and volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Cubs Charities, and sits on the Board of Directors for Community Assisted Rides. She is passionate about issues affecting older adults and was introduced to Community Assisted Rides back in 2018. Their mission aligned with hers and she has been involved ever since.
Bob Behar
Bob Behar brings a wealth of professional experience and leadership to our board. Bob retired from Millman as Principal, Consulting Actuary and led an accomplished career in actuarial consulting, specializing in the design, funding, communication, and administration of retirement funds. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Actuarial Science from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
In his retirement, Bob enjoys having more time for golf, cooking, and keeping up with his favorite sports teams including the Cubs, Blackhawks, Bears, and Michigan football. To our delight, Bob also volunteers weekly as a CARS driver!
Bob and his wife, Sharon Flaim, have been married for 40 years and reside in La Grange Park, where they raised six children. Sharon is founder of Catherine’s Community Closet and is herself a generous CARS supporter and champion of our mission.
Jill McCormick
Jill McCormick lives in La Grange Park with her husband, Jim Klun, and two children. She is actively engaged in the community, both socially and professionally, which led her to discover CARS.
Jill brings a blend of experience in finance and healthcare to the CARS board. Currently a financial advisor with Edward Jones, Jill’s second career builds on her first as a physical therapist and entrepreneur for two decades, during which she founded both a physical therapy business and a related fitness center. This dual-career path has provided her with extensive opportunities to support clients representing a wide range of generations and walks of life, and has fostered a particular interest in and deep respect for our senior citizen community.
Jill’s passion for serving others aligns with the goals of CARS, and her professional experience positions her to contribute meaningfully to its mission.
Mike O’Brien
Mike O’Brien is a recently retired business owner who, prior to starting his business, spent his career in senior business development positions working for companies in the healthcare industry. His broad range of experience includes home infusion therapy, home respiratory therapy, long term care, hospital department management and electronic prescription technology.
He recently sold his private duty home care company after 22 years of co-ownership with his wife Joan. Operating in the western Chicago suburbs, their business provided supportive services to older adults in their homes.
Mike was very active as a business member of several community organizations, serving as a board member and President of the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce, President of the Western Springs Business Association, and as a 9-year board member and finance committee member of the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. He was also an active member of his industry trade association in Illinois, the Home Care Association of America, serving as its legislative chairperson for 8 years.
He is very familiar with the CARS mission and has been a CARS supporter since 2002 when his home care business began working with CARS when it was named ICP. Mike is a volunteer driver with CARS.
Mike has lived in Western Springs for 42 years with his wife Joan. He is a graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland and completed the Yale Executive Management program. He is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Joan M. O’Brien
Joan O’Brien has been involved in healthcare industry for her entire career as a registered nurse with extensive skills in physical assessment and diagnosis. She has worked in hospital settings both as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and then as a Certified Nurse Midwife. She held clinical management positions at the University of Chicago Medical Center and Rush Medical Center in Chicago.
Joan began working in the home care industry when she joined her husband Mike in starting a private duty home care business in the western suburbs of Chicago. She retired from homecare after the sale of the business in 2023.
Joan was very active as a business member of several community organizations, serving as a board member and President of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry and as business member of both the Community Resource Network and the Older Adult Neighborhood committee of Aging Care Connections in La Grange. She was also an active member of the Illinois Home Care Association providing clinical expertise in legislative and regulatory matters.
Joan is very familiar with the CARS mission and has been a CARS supporter since 2002 when her home care business began working with CARS when it was named ICP She has lived in Western Springs for 42 years with her husband Mike.
Joan holds a BSN in nursing from Loyola University Chicago and an MSN in Nursing from Georgetown University. She is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Stephanie Posey
Attorney & Founder, Posey Law Group LLC
Stephanie Posey is the founder of Posey Law Group LLC, a La Grange–based law firm focused on estate planning and small business advising. She works closely with families and entrepreneurs to provide clear, practical legal guidance that helps them plan for the future and protect what matters most.
With more than a decade of legal experience, Stephanie is known for her approachable style and her ability to simplify complex legal issues. In addition to her legal practice, she is the creator of PLG Maven, a program dedicated to supporting female founders through legal education, business strategy, and community-building.
Stephanie is deeply committed to serving the La Grange community. She currently serves as Commissioner for the Park District of La Grange, is immediate past-President of the La Grange Business Association and continues to be actively involved in initiatives that strengthen local businesses and enhance community connections.
As a member of the Board of Directors for Community Assisted Rides, Stephanie brings her legal expertise, entrepreneurial perspective, and passion for community service to support the organization’s mission of providing accessible transportation to those in need.
Stephanie earned her Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law and her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is also a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses alumni. Stephanie lives in La Grange with her three teenagers and husband.
Mary Pat Flaherty
President
Mary Pat Flaherty is an attorney practicing in Western Springs with nearly forty years of experience in the areas of estate planning and estate and trust administration for individuals and their families. She earned her undergraduate degree from Loyola University of Chicago and her law degree from the University of Virginia. Currently the President of CARS, Mary Pat also sits on the Board of Directors of Plymouth Place in La Grange Park and is a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society at St. Francis Xavier Parish in La Grange.
Working as an estate planner, Mary Pat is familiar with the challenges facing older adults who want to stay in their communities and enjoy the autonomy they have had throughout their lives. She welcomes the opportunity to help our communities support our VIPs so they can not only survive, but thrive.
Mary Pat is married to Mike and they have four children ranging in age from 27 to 33. Her hobbies include travel, gardening, and photography.
Legacy and planned gifts are a beautiful way to celebrate significant life events by caring for others for many years to come.
Legacy giving can provide potential tax advantages, allowing you to strategically plan your financial legacy while minimizing estate taxes and maximizing the impact of your charitable contributions.
If you are interested in setting up a legacy gift or planned gift to CARS, we suggested consulting with your financial advisor before contacting our office for more information.
If you would like to set up this type of donation, please reach out to janet@
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Making a gift in honor of mom, dad, grandma or another special older adult pays tribute to your loved one and cares for others in their honor. Please consider making a donation to CARS in honor of mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, or another special person in your life.
Making a gift in their honor and/or memory is a beautiful way to celebrate the people you treasure while caring for others for many years to come. If you donate in honor of one of our current clients or volunteers, we will happily mail them a notecard letting them know a donation was made in their honor!
