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58 The Authority │ June to develop a solution— A Bus Mentors Program . The Mentors are trained by the Erie School District in the Handle With Care program, a conflict resolution and physical de- escalation program designed to safely resolve physical disputes. All Mentors have Act 33 Clearances and are trained in first aid and CPR. But the Mentor Program has become so much more. Shantell Hilliard, CEO of the Booker T. Washington Center and an EMTA Board Member, along with EMTA CEO Jeremy Peterson, were instrumental in developing the Mentor Program. “This is how a community can come together, identify a problem and come up with a solution,” Hilliard explains. “It is so much more than just breaking up fights. It has become a real source of mentoring. Mentors develop positive relationships with drivers, students, school staff and families.” The Mentor program is led by Tywonn Taylor. “Currently we have 15 Mentors riding EMTA buses with the students. The relationships have developed to the point where they can recognize needs the school might not be aware of. This past winter was particularly cold. Our Mentors became concerned that many students did not have adequate winter clothes. The Booker T Washington Center and EMTA began collecting winter coats and hats and distributed them to students in need. That’s just one example,” Taylor continued. “The Mentors program has exceeded our expectations and become an invaluable support to students, drivers and even families.” Not everyone is familiar with riding a bus system. EMTA provides Travel Training to groups and individuals on how to read the schedules, which routes best serve their needs and how to access the “tap and go” systems for fare collection as well as helping them get comfortable using the system. This may include EMTA staff going to a class, a senior center or a community center serving New Americans. EMTA is always ready to help the public access their transportation network. When EMTA opened its new Join Operations Center on 14 th Street in 2019 it celebrated with a ribbon cutting and a full blown block party. 14 th Fest, as it came to be known, included food trucks, local vendors, a kids zone, bands and a finale of fireworks launched from the rooftop of the Operations Center. This year EMTA will hold its 5 th annual 14 th Fest, which has established itself as the launch of the festival season in Erie. Sarah Morrison, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, coordinates the annual festival. “Erie is a festival town and we are proud to be the first festival of the season. Working with our vendors, community partners and the City of Erie, 14 th Fest is a family friendly gathering for the 14 th Street neighborhood and beyond. We see it as one more way for EMTA to thank our riders and the broader Erie community.” This good neighbor ethos of EMTA is never more evident than during the holidays. Each Christmas EMTA partners with the local Marine Corps personnel to support Toys for Tots by holding a Stuff the Bus event near the mall. Individuals donate unwrapped toys throughout the day literally stuffing the bus with bags and bags of toys. Additionally, EMTA hosts a winter goods drive as well as a pets needs drive in support of local animal shelters. EMTA is indeed, more than a bus company. Whether it’s developing the local economy, providing independence for elderly and disabled riders, collaborating with community partners, mentoring student riders travelling to and from school, or addressing the climate crisis, EMTA is there. Its just a matter of choosing to Get on Board! S EMTA article continued from page 11. Special thank you to EMTA who will be providing transportation for PMAA’s guest program at the annual conference this year in Erie. “e rie is a festivaL toWn and We are Proud to Be the first festivaL of the season .