We are excited to welcome new member Doug Malcolm to ENCorps! Doug is an enterprising guy with a long history of non-profit, philanthropic and volunteer work. He's got an entrepreneurial spirit with five start ups under his belt since he was 18. Doug has been active in philanthropy, giving to exciting nonprofits here and around the country. He's particularly proud of his early, lead donation to the Maine Island Trail Association, which was well timed in supporting them in becoming the thriving organization they are today. He also founded Maine Initiatives, a progressive organization that still carries on his initial vision despite his having passed the torch years ago.

His most recent endeavor is one he is especially passionate about. He was inspired to start the volunteer-led Portland Wheelers during a visit to his mother on Cape Cod a couple of years ago, where there is a program that uses "wheelchair trikes" to bring mobility impaired elders outdoors for rides and to reconnect with their community. Inspired by his background as a rehab nurse in Portland, he thought he could go deeper with a similar program in Greater Portland. With approximately 160,000 people, there is a huge diversity of disability. Doug saw a way to use this model to reach and improve the lives of those who struggle with any disability. Within a few weeks he decided to pursue this venture, left his job and has been doing Portland Wheelers full time for nearly two years.

Portland Wheelers has grown in its relatively short lifespan. When Doug first set out it took him 45 days to raise $10,000 to buy the program's first hybrid tricycle or "trike", specially designed with a detachable wheelchair. Currently, Portland Wheelers has 20 trained pilots who have taken more than 250 "wheelers," from as young as six years to as old as 99 years, for more than 500 rides totaling over 1500 miles. They are now partnering with 12 area facilities and will take anyone challenged by disability for a ride. Once they refine the model, Doug envisions Portland Wheelers as a nonprofit ride therapy model for the country.

The benefits of simply getting folks out for rides when they don't have the ability to get out on their own are striking. Doug states that from studies done in Canada, which Portland Wheelers plans to replicate next spring, giving rides on a regular basis, providing frequent opportunities for connection between "wheelers", as well as offering the chance to look forward to the next ride - together, these dramatically improve the quality of life for those who are stuck inside residential facilities or their own homes with little to do or participate in. He is passionate and proud of the work Portland Wheelers is doing, and he's looking forward to it growing to reach the demand. They are in the process of adding a third trike to their fleet, and are actively looking for volunteers to fill a number of roles, especially that of pilots.

We are impressed and inspired by the work Doug is doing with Portland Wheelers and what he has been built in a mere two years. We are so pleased to welcome you to ENCorps, Doug, and wish you great success as you take your model to a national stage.