American Towing and Recovery Institute onThe Go
American Towing and Recovery Institute onThe Go
Transportation for Heroes: How Towing Companies Can Support Homeless Veterans
Wes Wilburn welcomes listeners to a deeply meaningful episode featuring a crucial conversation with Matt Milazzo, senior manager at the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Born and raised in Staten Island with a family dedicated to public service, Matt shares how the foundation's mission to eradicate veteran homelessness resonates with his personal values and professional aspirations.
The heart of this episode centers on the foundation's innovative approach to combating veteran homelessness through strategically located Veterans Villages—renovated hotels transformed into supportive housing communities. Matt explains their two-pronged strategy: providing immediate housing through these villages while simultaneously addressing the root causes of homelessness through personalized support services. Since late 2022, they've already helped over 10,000 veterans transition off the streets. These villages aren't just shelters; they're comprehensive rehabilitation centers strategically positioned near VA facilities to ensure ongoing medical support.
A critical need emerges during their discussion—transportation. The foundation urgently requires wheelchair-accessible passenger vans to transport veterans to medical appointments and other essential services. This presents a unique opportunity for the towing and recovery industry to make a tangible difference. Wes passionately calls on listeners to donate suitable vans or salvageable accessibility equipment, pledging his personal assistance in coordinating transportation to wherever the foundation needs these vehicles nationwide. Beyond vehicle donations, Matt details additional ways to support their mission, including their symbolic $11 monthly donation program and various fundraising opportunities.
The episode concludes with Towing News Now, highlighting recent industry developments including Chicago's efforts to combat predatory towing practices, controversial vehicle removal operations in California, and sobering reminders of the dangers tow operators face. These stories underscore why initiatives like the Tunnel to Towers partnership matter—they demonstrate how an industry often misunderstood by the public can be a powerful force for good in communities across America.
Ready to make a difference? Contact the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at 718-987-1931 or visit t2t.org to learn how you can support their mission to ensure no veteran remains homeless.
Welcome one and all to the American Towing Recovery Institute podcast. I want to remind all of you that the American Towing Recovery Institute aims to promote professionalism, safety and education within the towing and recovery industry. Remember, we provide training and certification programs for towing operators. We also advocate for industry standards and best practices, support research and develop all new techniques, including research and development of electric and alternative fuel vehicles With extensive research, with the EV Clever app, available now on Apple and Google Play stores, foster cooperation among industry stakeholders. Here's my dear friend and a great guy for our industry, wes Wilder.
Speaker 2:Well, we're here at the United Recyclers Group trade show here in Orlando, florida, going on at the same time as the professional wrecker operators of Florida's tow show the world's largest tow show Feeling really good. Today we had a great class. Yesterday we had over 120 people in for a heavy-duty class focusing on electric vehicles, made my announcement yesterday. Look on Facebook. We have joined up with one of the consolidators putting in a permanent training facility. Go to Facebook live for either West Wolverine, the American Toe and Recovery Institute, or Professional Rec Operators of Florida.
Speaker 2:So we're excited, we're pumped up, we're very excited to be here and I'm even more excited to be here helping with DJ Harrington's tremendous support. Y'all know DJ, the toe doctor, but he's given tremendous support to Tunnels, to Towers' efforts to provide transportation for their homeless veteran centers that they're putting in around the country. And I need all my listeners listening to think about what you got, what you can give, to help make this happen. So we're sitting here with Matt from Tunnels, from Towers. Matt, what's your position? Again, I'm sorry, so I'm a senior manager on our development team.
Speaker 2:Okay, and you're the one that's putting all this together right, yes, I am. Excellent, excellent thing you're doing Introduce yourself to my crowd. I think my crowd doesn't know you as much as the Towers. So introduce yourself a little bit and tell us a little bit about yourself.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so my name's Matt Malazzo. I'm with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. As I said before, I'm senior manager on our development team. You know, the foundation really means near and dear to my heart. I come from a first responder family. My brother's a cop. My father worked in corrections, being born and raised in Staten Island, new York. You know, I was very young when 9-11 happened but you know, as I grew up and matured, really seeing all the videos, it just I always had a passion for our first responders and our military. And you know, and when I was seeking employment and I came across Tunnel to Towers, I said this is a perfect fit, this is exactly for me, this is what I'm looking for and it's actually been over three years and I'm so glad that I get to work for an organization that I wake up every morning and it puts a smile on my face. And then I get to meet great people like yourself and DJ. You know we get to see unique communities come together and help help our veterans, so this is awesome yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:um unique community part I can really connect with as well. Um, growing up in Staten Island, uh, I have to imagine that, as you said, that made you very aware. I just did a class in New York and and we did it at a fire training center and there were still things discussed et cetera. I mean, it's elastic. Sometimes it has I don't know what the right terminology is it's affected a generation and it's so good to hear that you found this is your right fit. I can imagine you know Mark Twain said the person that makes their vacation is a lucky person, and I can only imagine the feeling that you get in your heart for what you're doing to help some of these folks. So tell us a little bit about, maybe a brief overview of the centers and then we can talk more about the transportation needs.
Speaker 3:Yeah, absolutely. Uh. Back in late 2022, uh, the foundation made the announcement that we were going to uh eradicate veteran homelessness in the united states, and so we have a two-prong approach where we do this. So we have our veterans villages that we're building throughout the country. Um, so these are a mix between, uh, distressed hotels that we're purchasing and then we're renovating into studio style apartments, and every one of these villages are going to have supportive services on site, so it's not just a roof over their head for the veterans.
Speaker 3:We're also trying to eliminate the root cause of the homelessness and we're treating every veteran on a unique basis. We're not doing a cookie cutter, assembly line style of treatment. We treat everybody uniquely and we want to help every single veteran. And the other way is because these villages are popping up throughout the country, but we understand they're not everywhere currently, and so we have a unique network, what we call our National Case Management Network, where, if a veteran reaches out to us and they they need assistance, and say in, in the event that we don't have a village in that area, we're still going to find a way to help them. So we work with a bunch of other organizations and we partner together to help a veteran that is awesome.
Speaker 2:Um, I currently live in fayetteville, north carolina, which is a very big military town. I see this problem firsthand. So it's very, very, very gratifying to see you folks doing something, especially a younger person like yourself to be involved. That just does my heart very good.
Speaker 3:Well, I have some good news to share for you in North Carolina. I can't tell you exactly where, but probably in the next few months or so you're going to see something, You're going to hear some stuff in North Carolina Awesome.
Speaker 2:We can't wait. We can't wait. It's definitely needed in our area Also. I grew up outside of Washington DC so I've been familiar with homelessness for a long time. But the fact that people go and serve our country and come back and, you know, have a little issue or whatever, and it leads down those stairs, it's good to hear that someone's there to think about it and try to help fix it.
Speaker 3:Absolutely. And one thing that I have to give credit to one of my colleagues that said one time and it really just stuck with me, and it's stuck with me since it's the word homeless and veteran those two words together should not belong in the same sentence. Amen, and I'm so glad to say that I, you know, I I get to work for tunnel to towers, where you know we're making the commitment to get homeless veterans off the street and really help them. Um, to date, like I said, we we started this program in late 2022 and we've already helped over 10 000 veterans get off the street that is awesome.
Speaker 2:that is absolutely awesome. So let's talk a little bit about the transportation needs. Yep, as I understand it, originally the thought process had been 15 passenger vans, but you folks have backed up from that under some good advice, I guess, I believe some good advice, rather so, right now, the need is for mid-sized vans that are handicapped or wheelchair handicapped equipped yeah.
Speaker 3:So for these veterans villages, I would say, um, good, good, good, baseline, I would say probably around like a 10 passenger passenger van, but definitely if, if we have something with, uh you know, wheelchair accessibility, because, because what happens is, in these villages we utilize these vans to actually get our recipients to and from their appointments. So, yes, we provide supportive services on the ground at the village itself, but we also work closely with the VA hospitals. So all the villages are strategically located near a VA operation, a VA hospital clinic, et cetera, and so, with that in particular, we also want to get our veteran recipients, we want to get them to and from their appointments, and so these vans help us tremendously to do that, and a lot of times too, in some of our villages we do have individuals that are currently in a wheelchair, and so we want to be able to help them as well. So that's where the wheelchair accessibility comes in.
Speaker 2:So all my friends listening, I need you to keep an eye out in your tow yards and different body shops and businesses you deal with. Look, we need to find these vans, we need to get them to them. If you have a van and you can't, if you have a decent van to donate, I don't care where it is in the country, I'll get it there. We've proven with getting the tow truck out of Missouri to western North Carolina after the floods. You folks step up for me big time and made the handoff and heck, we moved that truck all those miles and I think it was a day and a half. So if you've got a decent van that you want to donate, first of all talk to your accountant. I'm not an accountant but I'm sure you can write it all off and I'll help. We'll help whatever it takes to get it there. Write it all off and I'll help. We'll help whatever it takes to get it there. And then also, if you have it, maybe it might even be a wrecked van with the handicap accessibility. Don't junk that. Let's get that stuff off that van. We're going to find a van to put it on. I'll help make that happen.
Speaker 2:Reach out to me personally, but we need to as a towing industry. We need to step up. You know, all of us I don't care who you are a couple bad breaks in life. We could all end up like this. So we need to step up and help while we can. So, with that being said, I'm asking everyone reach out to me personally. Whatever you've got for vans, reach out to me personally. Whatever you've got for vans Maybe it's an inoperable I'm looking for operable, good-conditioned vans. I'm looking for the handicap accessibility. Are there other needs? What about at the center? Is there?
Speaker 3:going to need a staff car or something like that. Yes, there's plenty of opportunities. There also are a couple of unique ways to get involved as well. So you know, there's definitely a need for passenger vans at every village. We would like to have one at every village, but then there's also, you know, there's ways too. You know one of the things you mentioned before. You know, if you have a vehicle that you're thinking about scrapping or you have a vehicle that you're no longer using, maybe you're considering donate.
Speaker 3:We do have a program that can accept vehicle donations and that can help our cause as well. But even then, say, if you don't have a vehicle and you still want to support Tunnel to Towers, we have a great way to do it. There's an $11 a month program that we do and it's a tremendous way to get involved. You know $11 a month. Why $11 a month? You know our foundation was started after 9-11 and $11 a month is, you know, pretty nominal costs to a lot of people. You know for me personally that you know, back in New York, that's lunch. So you know, and with something like that, if we, you know, if we get everybody together to donate $11 a month, we can help every single one of our nation's heroes.
Speaker 2:That's awesome. We're not on the $11 a month program yet, but we're going to be on it today, thank you, and I challenge everyone within the sound of my voice to get on this $11 a month program.
Speaker 3:What else can we do? Yeah, there's so many different other ways to get involved with the foundation, I mean both monetarily. There's also many different other ways to get involved with the foundation, both monetarily. There's also ways of volunteering, even if you want to orchestrate your own fundraisers, there's a great opportunity with that. Me personally, my role right now I'm putting on a lot of signature experiences, some that go along with that. I'm putting on sporting clay fundraisers, I'm doing fishing tournaments, I'm doing car rallies, the list goes on, so. But there's plenty of unique ways to get involved. I mean, you know there's I'm sure there's probably so many listeners here that are business owners. You know there may be even some way. You know you want to do a campaign where it's like hey, you know percentage of proceeds from from this, this sale, or or whatever the idea can be. That could be something where you give back to the foundation as well. You can have roundup campaigns. There's so many unique ways to get involved.
Speaker 2:That's awesome. If somebody wants to reach out and talk to you directly, how can they contact you?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so the best way to reach out to the foundation is to reach out to our call center, so you can reach out at 718-987-1931 and speak with a representative and tell them what you're really thinking, what you would like to do, and we'll get you through to the right person.
Speaker 2:Give me that number one more time 718-987-1931. Is there a website they can get more information as well Of course there is.
Speaker 3:We make it pretty simple. So our website is t2torg, Again the letter T, the number 2, the letter Torg.
Speaker 2:So, as an American citizen, I just want to thank you for helping take care of our veterans. We're going to stay committed to this. Dj has just been wonderful bringing this up and he's just a wonderful person. I can't thank God enough for bringing him into my life. So I'd like to invite you back on in a short period of time and we'll talk again and see how we're doing. Absolutely, I would love that. Thank you for taking your time today. Again, folks, let's step up and support this thing. All I've got to say is God bless.
Speaker 5:For electric and other alternative fuel vehicles. We have developed an app that gives you all the manufacturers 411 for when that 911 happens. Whether you are a fire tow or police, we got you covered. To find the EV Clever app, go to your Apple or Google Play store for a 30-day free trial.
Speaker 6:We also offer the National Tow Operator Certification an independently sourced virtual testing program covering light duty, heavy duty, electric and alternative fuel vehicle.
Speaker 1:Now here is Towing News Now.
Speaker 6:I'm Wesley Wilburn and this is Towing News. Now here's a story out of Chicago of the city council board advancing a new bid to protect drivers from rogue towing companies charging thousands of dollars just to tow their cars.
Speaker 4:For years, we've been telling you about rogue towing companies that victimize drivers, towing their cars and then charging exorbitant fees to get them back.
Speaker 7:Now some new proposed legislation hopes to protect the drivers. Our Sabrina Franza is always investigating. She's here, and how do we think this would work? It's actually really interesting, joe Murray. What we're thinking about this new ordinance is that it would put tow truck drivers who are unlicensed, who are taking advantage of drivers in stressful, scary situations, on notice. It would give Chicago police officers the authority to tow their tow trucks.
Speaker 8:I finally get my truck back. Two months later they actually stole my vehicle.
Speaker 7:Countless stories, $3,600. The same complaints Drivers get into an accident and a tow truck company shows up. Only some companies are unlicensed broke. They charge thousands of dollars for drivers to get their cars back.
Speaker 9:We're probably dealing with this about five to six times a week.
Speaker 7:John O'Donnell is the vice president of risk management at Enterprise, the car rental company. His customers and company have been victims.
Speaker 9:It becomes a process of trying to get these vehicles released, and typically they want cash.
Speaker 7:We've reported on incidents where the company has asked for almost $60,000 to get someone's vehicle back. The Illinois Commerce Commission, which is the oversight body providing licenses to these groups, will flag and fine them. Many times the businesses will disband and rebrand under a new name to start the practice all over again.
Speaker 9:We need some teeth within the legislation.
Speaker 7:Legislation discussed today in a city council committee. The high fence with the barbed wire on it that should be a red flag.
Speaker 9:It allows for CPD once we've determined who the bad actors are, cpd to tow the bad tow truck drivers and really start to crack down on this industry.
Speaker 7:The proposed ordinance also allows victims to sue the rogue actors.
Speaker 9:As we begin to deal with this issue, the bad actors are going to try to find ways to skirt the system. Actors. As we begin to deal with this issue, the bad actors are going to try to find ways to skirt the system, and so we just got to continue to have this evolve to make sure that we can finally put an end to this.
Speaker 7:This new ordinance passed unanimously in the committee, which means they'll go to a full city council vote next week. It's expected to pass.
Speaker 6:Here's a story out of California of a towing operation towing away abandoned cars and boats off the streets in Fairfield, california, and the complaints that come their way part of a recent enforcement operation.
Speaker 10:They just pulled up with two tow trucks and one white unmarked car.
Speaker 10:One dude got out pointed to the two cars and boom, they were gone. Fairfield police say traffic officers are working with code enforcement units for dedicated operations, targeting abandoned vehicles, boats and trailers parked in the area of streets with the names of states and presidents. During an operation April 1st, officers towed 20 vehicles and issued 24 parking tickets. On April 4th, a follow-up operation resulted in 21 more towed vehicles and 39 parking tickets. Police say this is about more than just tickets and tows. They say it's about quote building a stronger, safer community together. They already don't have nowhere to go but advocate for the unhoused. Larry Lee Jackson Jr says the police are taking apart the community by towing away people's homes.
Speaker 8:To take the cars and where they're living in. It's making it harder on them. It's not really making it easy, and so it's just like we have to combat the more trauma that they're living at. It's making it harder on them. It's not really making it easy, and so it's just like we have to combat the more trauma that they're already going through Police say they've received 35 more complaints after the two operations calling abandoned cars eyesores that create hazards and bring more neglect and illegal dumping to the neighborhoods, but as a city we should be more compassionate towards the people that's coming.
Speaker 8:I think they're coming here for rescue.
Speaker 10:They leave parks on a main street. Brockman says her son still doesn't have his cars and says they shouldn't have been towed in the first place. They were going down the whole street. It was crazy In Fairfield. Michelle Bandork.
Speaker 6:We'll keep you updated on this towing operation. Here's a story out of Lake Alfred, Florida, about a tale that's becoming too common A person pulling a gun on a tow truck operator for doing his job.
Speaker 11:Dealing with angry people comes with the territory, but for one driver in Polk County, being chased down and having a gun pulled on while on the road is another level entirely. Well, it was a horrifying experience and it was all caught on video. Yeah, fox 13's Carla Byron actually spoke with the business owner about what could have possibly led the suspect to do it.
Speaker 12:Tyler Bolton is the owner of Bolton's Towing Service in Winter Haven. On March 29th, shortly before 9 pm, one of his drivers was heading down Highway 92 into Lake Alfred from Auburdale when this happened.
Speaker 13:When he stopped at the red light in Lake Alfred, the passenger jumped out of the passenger window with a gun, ran up to the truck and beat on the window at the driver.
Speaker 12:The driver took off to get away and the suspect chased after him. However, once the driver got to the Auburndale Police Department, the suspect gave up. Bolton says the frightening experience has left the truck driver fearful and anxious.
Speaker 13:It's hard for him to go out every day and do what he does. Not sure if this person's targeting him, the truck, the company, we have no clue.
Speaker 4:Police say it's unclear what exactly set the suspect off, because it doesn't appear the tow truck driver provoked him in any way. Running up to somebody's vehicle, armed or unarmed, in today's world you may get a big surprise if somebody else may be armed too, and with that situation, whatever the situation that happened on the roadway, I don't know that it meets any criteria that we need to get guns out and start threatening anybody.
Speaker 12:Police say they're still working to identify the vehicle involved and are working to get more video surveillance footage. If caught, the suspect is likely to face a charge of felonious aggravated assault at the very least.
Speaker 13:It's obnoxious and there's zero care for anybody else's life.
Speaker 12:Bolton says the suspect must be held accountable.
Speaker 13:To be honest, you know, with a different person in that truck may have not ended so well for the person that pulled the gun.
Speaker 6:Motives are unclear at the moment, but we'll keep you updated on the case. Here's another story of crime out of High Point, North Carolina, near Charlotte, North Carolina, of a woman caught driving a stolen tow truck.
Speaker 11:High Point officers have charged a woman they say stole a tow truck. Police arrested Rachel Ricketts Saturday on West Green Street. They say the truck was reported stolen out of Raleigh last month. Ricketts is also facing a list of drug charges, as well as a felony for trying to elude arrest.
Speaker 6:Lastly, we have some good news out of Cornwell, Connecticut, of a man learning his fate for the death of a tow truck driver.
Speaker 14:And a man has been sentenced following a deadly crash in 2022. Luis Resto will spend 15 years in prison after a crash that killed a tow truck driver in North Haven. Prosecutors do say he hit 38-year-old Christopher Russell on I-91. Russell had just finished fixing a flat tire on the shoulder when he was hit.
Speaker 1:There you go, folks, the most recent news on the brand new Towing News channel. I'll see you next week with more information on the latest news in our industry.