Driver's Training

Accessibility meets independence

About Driver's Training at Treetops

Treetops Collective is committed to creating and facilitating programs that are responsive to our neighbors and what they tell us about their lived experiences. One of the primary tangible barriers refugee and immigrant women face to full engagement in their new community is transportation. Being able to drive is an essential key to independence in places like West Michigan where public transportation is limited. The inability to drive is a barrier to education, English language learning, economic mobility, and social connection.

Through a partnership with immigrant-owned Cox-Mckenzie School of Driving, Treetops has been able to improve accessibility to driving lessons with scholarships, and intentional, culturally aware instruction has increased the success rate of refugee and immigrant women receiving their license to 90% in just two years.

Only current program members are eligible to apply, and spots are limited. Your support enables us to enroll more women and expand our program to include teens.

Support Women's Freedom

Driving Independence: A License, A Dream, A Newfound Freedom
Documentary Premiere

APRIL 26 | 1–3:30PM
GRAND RAPIDS ART MUSEUM

101 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Join us for a special evening celebrating the premiere of a new documentary short following the stories of two women journeying through theTreetops Collective’s Driver’s Training Program—a program created after listening closely to the dreams and barriers facing refugee and immigrant women in our community.

Attend the Documentary Premiere Event
Benefits
  • Access to better job opportunities - ability to interview for and travel to other employment
  • Greater independence, particularly for single mothers and mothers with young children
  • Increased educational opportunities

Program Structure

Selected Concentric members receive comprehensive driver’s training from immigrant-owned Cox-Mckenzie School of Driving

Includes 25 hours of lessons and on-road driving practice, and up to 2 driving tests

Members also receive wrap-around support from Treetops staff, driving instructors, and their leader

Specially trained instructors work with program members and an interpreter if needed

Transportation is provided to and from lessons and road practices

Support Women's Independence

Sustainability and Growth

To change the landscape of driver’s training locally we are committed to recruiting and investing in multilingual driving instructors by providing MI Department of Transportation Certified Driver’s Training courses in partnership with Cox-Mckenzie School of Driving. Our goal is to have at least one new language served locally by 2025, increasing accessibility to driver’s training for new neighbors for years to come!