The City of Detroit has launched a new program aimed at bridging the transportation gap in the city and to help residents get vaccinated.
The City of Detroit is enhancing its Good Neighbor program to include a $50 debit cards reimbursement for any pre-registered individual who drives a Detroiter to get a vaccination at select vaccination sites run by the Detroit Health Department.
Starting today, any adult can call 313-230-0505 to register as a Good Neighbor and schedule residents for first dose appointments that will begin Monday, May 3.
“There shouldn’t be a single barrier for any Detroiter to get a vaccination, and certainly not transportation,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “We’d love to see people embrace the card as an incentive to reach out to friends and family in Detroit to let them know that if they want to get vaccinated, they can be transported by someone they know and trust.”
How it works
Good neighbors must first register by calling 313-230-0505. They must then schedule FIRST DOSE appointments for each of the Detroit residents they plan to transport. Good Neighbors are limited to three vaccine recipients per car per trip, but can make as many trips as they like if they are able to identify more Detroiters to drive to their appointment.
Funds will be provided via pre-paid debit card. Good neighbors will bring the residents to get their first dose shot and see City of Detroit Good Neighbor staff onsite to receive $50 reimbursement for each resident for the first dose and another $50 when they bring each individual back for his or her second dose.
Related: Detroit COVID-19 vaccines: Updated walk-in locations, hours
There is no limit on how many trips a good neighbor can make however, there is a limit of three vaccine recipients per car and every person being vaccinated must be a Detroiter. Any Good Neighbor who earns $600 or more in prepaid cards for reimbursement will be required to complete a W9 form and file a 1099 with their 2021 tax returns.
In order to qualify for the reimbursement pre-paid debit card, all Good Neighbors must pre-register by calling 313-230-0505 and schedule an appointment for each person they plan to transport. Debit cards will be on hand only for those who preregister and schedule first dose appointments. No exceptions will be made.
Eligible Locations
The Good Neighbor program is only eligible by appointment at the following locations:
- TCF drive-thru from 8 AM – 5 PM
- Northwest Activities Center, 18100 Meyers from 9 AM – 7 PM
- Straight Gate Church, 10100 Grand River from 9 AM – 7 PM
- Community Saturday sites (9 AM – 1 PM – Good Neighbor begins May 8th)
- Galilee Baptist Church
- Grace Community Church
- Kemeny Recreation Center
- New Providence Baptist Church
- Greater Emmanuel Church
Saturday Locations may change week to week, so consult this map for current availability: COVID-19 vaccines in your neighborhood.
Johnson & Johnson sites announced
With last week’s decision to re-approve the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for distribution, the City of Detroit will be offering J&J at two locations, starting Thursday, April 27:
- Northwest Activities Center, M-F from 9 AM until 7 PM
- Straight Gate Church, M-F from 9 AM until 7 PM
Any individual with an already-scheduled first dose or second dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at either of these locations still will receive those shots at that location as originally scheduled. Future scheduled doses will be all one-shot Johnson & Johnson.