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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville nonprofit is helping foster kids get their own set of wheels when they age out of the system. 
Johana Perez has been in the foster care system since she was 17 years old. Around the time she got her license and was leaving the system, she was diligently saving money to buy a car.
“I was literally looking for a car, and I had the money for it, and then I was going to get it buy one,” said Perez.
Instead, she got a surprise. She got a car from the First Car Project.
“I couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t real to me. I got out of foster care. I had this car, and then I was able to pay my first month of rent without even worrying about anything,” said Perez.
The First Car Project takes applications from all over Kentucky.
The nonprofit gifts used cars to eligible young adults, along with six months of insurance, Kentucky registration fee and car ownership training. It helps them drive confidently without some costs that could keep them from owning their own vehicle.
Founding board member Marty Stevens said having a vehicle is a game-changer for these young adults.
“It lifts them out of poverty. It lifts them to a better future. So this takes some of the burden off and the worries off them,” said Stevens.
Board member and personal injury attorney Alex White said he sees how people are affected by not having a vehicle.
“I’m a car-wreck lawyer. And on a daily basis, I see how people are impacted by not having a vehicle, even for a short period of time. You need to have transportation in order to get to work, to get to school, and to have a fair shot. So by giving them a car, if they own outright, they can drive wherever they want. We’re putting them in a position where they’re getting a hand up at the right time,” said White.
Perez said that having a car gives her the ability to get a better job as a certified nursing assistant, get her son out of foster care and take him to his frequent doctor’s appointments.
“I can take him to his doctor’s appointment and just because I got this car. So me and him can be safe. I drive a lot downtown for appointments. So it’s really good to have a reliable car. [I’m] super happy and also excited and thankful to them too, because it’s a pretty good car,” said Perez.
Perez said the First Car Project has forever changed her life for the better.
The First Car Project expects to give six cars to teens who age out of foster care by the end of the year.

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