Home James program returns to Caledon

Volunteer opportunities available

By Zachary Roman

Safe, free rides home in Caledon are back.

Caledon's Home James program has returned, said Christopher Bava, Caledon Home James Marketing Director. Caledon Home James is a community program that's dedicated to saving lives by providing a free designated driver service for impaired people, in their own vehicles. 

The program was suspended for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With bars being closed and volunteer safety as a top priority, the decision to not run the program was made.

“For us that get paid to go to jobs, we'll work during COVID. But it's not easy to make the choice to risk yourself for free,” said Bava.

Now that Caledon Home James is back, its volunteers' presence is being planned at community events in Caledon this summer like Caledon Day. Bava said Caledon Home James is also looking forward to bringing back its usual free designated driver service from November through to New Year's. 

“Especially because Uber and stuff… it's not as prevalent in our area. It's not always easy to get an Uber per se, so that's where we really come in. People can just drive to the bar and we'll drive them home,” said Bava.

“We truly thank the Town of Caledon, Caledon Ontario Provincial Police, the community and our

sponsors for keeping this life-saving program running over the years.”

Bava said Home James is always looking for volunteers to help keep Caledon's roads safe, and those interested in volunteering can email volunteer@homejames-caledon.ca.

“I started volunteering about 10 years ago… I came to really enjoy the program and the people that volunteer for the program. It's not too many nights — a couple nights in the summer, and then Fridays and Saturdays in November and December — so it's easy to volunteer if you have a night free between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m.,” said Bava. “It works for me, I love driving.”

Bava said it's a very flexible volunteer opportunity that's good for people with busy schedules.