Crystal Merten stands by the car that the Lighthouse Foundation helped purchase through its Car Connection program. SUBMITTED PHOTO

One of the biggest barriers to financial stability is maintaining consistent transportation, and people could sink thousands of dollars just purchasing a personal vehicle to travel to work in, according to Victoria Spreng, executive director of the Lighthouse Foundation.

The foundation, a nonprofit based in Middlesex Township that aids people experiencing poverty and financial troubles, started a Car Connection program in 2020 to help people attain the budgeting stability to be able to buy and maintain a personal vehicle.

According to Spreng, the program has already connected 13 people to cars, but the process to get there was about more than just finding a ride.

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