A self-employed handyman from The Plains has gone back to work and plans to stop receiving government assistance because of an Athens County program that helps low-income families become self-sufficient.

Robert Dye had surgery in the late 1980s and fell into a deep depression because recovery was extremely difficult, he said.

Last year, Dye said he began to feel better and picked up some odd jobs as a handyman that required the transportation of a lot of equipment, including a lawn mower.

"I couldn't take that in the back of an old Buick Regal," he said.

Then Dye heard about a program that could help him out.

The Athens County Drive to Work program, administered by the Enterprise Development Corporation and the Appalachian Development Federal Credit Union in The Plains, as well as the Athens County Department of Human Services, helps provide transportation to people who otherwise would not be able to afford a car, EDC project specialist Kathleen Sergott said.

The Athens County Commissioners helped with the implementation of the program because they oversee the Department of Human Services.

"If you have a job, and you don't have a car to get to work, we can help you," Commissioner Bill Theisen said.

Participants are referred to EDC by the Athens County Department of Human Services, Sergott said. Those interested apply for a loan through the credit union.

The average loan is about $2,500 for a two-year period, Sergott said. This amount includes the price of the car as well as insurance, taxes and license fees.

Purchasers pay back the loan at a low interest rate with a monthly payment of about $100, she said.

After applying for the loan, participants attend two classes, Sergott said. The first class is a general introduction to the program and the second is a preventative car maintenance class.

After attending the classes, participants can choose a car from the local used car dealer of their choice, Diamond said. Either Diamond or another of EDC's certified mechanics inspects the car. If the car passes inspection, the credit union approves the loan and the participant can purchase the car.

Twenty-three people have purchased cars in the first year of the program, Sergott said.

Athens County Department of Human Services Director Jack Frech said the program has far-reaching benefits.

"When you're poor, its not just a job you can't get to," he said.

Low-income families without transportation also have difficulty getting to the doctor and the grocery store, Frech said.

In addition to providing transportation to low-income families, the EDC also helps individuals learn how to save and manage money through the Individual Account Program, Sergott said.

The IDA program provides a matching credit union account for the participants, Sergott said. Participants deposit money into their accounts, and EDC matches their deposits two-to-one. The maximum amount that can be matched in a year is $1,000, which would leave the participant with $3,000.

Dye, who also participates in the IDA program, said the program especially is beneficial to the many working poor in Southeast Ohio.

Dye said he feels good about the program and is glad to be back to work.

"I'm the type of individual who feels much more gratification working full time," Dye said.

About a month ago, Dye purchased a pickup truck.