Mission

Our mission is to help the less fortunate by paying for and assembling modular wheelchair ramps for those people who are in need and have qualified for financial assistance.

Vision

Our vision is to empower financially qualified elderly and disabled individuals in our communities by giving them a safe means in and out of their homes. At the same time, we develop compassionate young adults and promote inter-generational communication.

The wheelchair ramps assembled by our student volunteers make an immediate and permanent improvement in the lives of the recipients. The ramps increase access to regular medical care - from doctor's appointments to dialysis. Recipients reconnect with their friends and communities, and gain access to social services programs. They can sit outside in the sunshine, and go to the grocery store or the mailbox.

History

Ramp Access Made Possible by Students, or R.A.M.P.S. was created by three Richmond, Virginia area high school students, Mike Dowd, Gray Fain, and Coleman Wortham. It began as a school challenge to contribute to their community through charitable projects. Since then, over 380 students from 23 high schools and colleges have assembled 145 wheelchair ramps for elderly and disabled individuals who could not safely move in and out of their homes.

R.A.M.P.S. FAQs at a glance:

• Ramp Access Made Possible by Students
• A non-profit organization run by students
• Students assemble wheelchair ramps for elderly and disabled persons who have qualified for financial assistance
• R.A.M.P.S. provides matching funds to student groups
• Over 145 ramps benefitting 150 individuals built to date
• Recycled $26,000 worth of ramp materials in 2010

Student Roles

• Students initiate, plan and execute their own fundraising events in order to purchase the materials needed to build the R.A.M.P.S.
• Students donate their time on a weekend or day off from school to assemble the wheelchair ramps at the home of the recipient

Why Modular Ramps?

• Can be assembled and installed faster than traditional-style wooden ramps
• Are more versatile and provide flexibility to an individual's circumstances
• Are environmentally friendly-when the ramp is no longer needed, it is "removed and recycled" to another deserving family