Driving Toward Safety: Uber and Alliance for HOPE International Launch “Hope Rides” to Support Survivors of Interpersonal Violence
Across the United States, countless survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence encounter a critical and frequently overlooked obstacle in their journey toward safety and healing—transportation. The simple yet fundamental ability to reach a courthouse, counseling session, or safe shelter can be the deciding factor between remaining in a dangerous situation or stepping into safety. Recognizing this pressing need, Uber has announced the launch of “Hope Rides”, a groundbreaking national partnership with Alliance for HOPE International, aimed at addressing this very issue and offering survivors a lifeline.
The initiative represents a pivotal moment in the intersection of corporate responsibility, social justice, and survivor advocacy. Through Hope Rides, Uber is committing over $250,000 in ride credits to support 15 Family Justice Centers (FJCs) across nine U.S. states, empowering survivors to access a wide range of life-saving services—completely free of charge.
“Hope Rides is more than transportation—it’s a lifeline,” said Tony West, Chief Legal Officer at Uber. “By meeting survivors exactly where they are, it offers a compassionate bridge to safety, shelter, counseling, and legal support. It’s about empowering each person to take that first courageous step toward healing and hope.”
Removing a Silent Barrier: The Overlooked Role of Transportation
In many conversations around survivor support, transportation remains an underappreciated factor. Survivors often face multiple, compounding barriers: financial insecurity, threats of retaliation, restricted movement, and lack of social support. Even when community resources are available, the inability to get to a Family Justice Center, legal aid office, or housing program can render those services inaccessible.
Without a reliable, discreet, and safe way to travel, survivors may miss critical court dates, medical appointments, or intake interviews for emergency shelter. They may be forced to remain in or return to unsafe environments. In worst-case scenarios, these limitations can have tragic consequences.
Hope Rides seeks to eliminate this barrier, making it possible for survivors to travel safely and swiftly to the help they need. By working with Family Justice Centers—known for providing trauma-informed, wraparound care in one centralized location—the initiative enhances existing services by ensuring survivors have a dignified and secure way to reach them.
Family Justice Centers: A One-Stop Haven for Survivors
Family Justice Centers (FJCs) play a vital role in supporting survivors by bringing together a spectrum of critical services under one roof. These centers are designed to reduce the number of times a survivor must tell their story and navigate complex systems. Services offered typically include:
- Crisis intervention and case management
- Legal advocacy and representation
- Counseling and mental health services
- Medical assistance
- Children’s programs and child welfare support
- Emergency housing referrals
- Employment and financial empowerment resources
Many FJCs already turn to Uber informally to fill transportation gaps when survivors have no other means of getting to safety or services. With Hope Rides, that support becomes formalized and scalable, unlocking wider access and consistency in transportation for survivors.
“Transportation for domestic violence survivors saves lives,” emphasized Casey Gwinn, President of Alliance for HOPE International and the visionary leader behind the Family Justice Center movement in the United States. “Survivors often don’t seek help because they cannot access the lifesaving services of Family Justice Centers. Uber’s support for no-cost rides for survivors will be the difference between life and death for survivors and their children in 15 Family Justice Center communities in this country.”
Where Hope Rides Will Make an Impact
The $250,000 in ride credits will be distributed across 15 Family Justice Centers, located in nine states including California, Texas, Georgia, and New York. Each location serves as a critical touchpoint in its community for victims of interpersonal violence—offering trauma-informed, coordinated care for survivors and their children. The initiative will reach both urban and rural populations, helping bridge geographic and economic divides that often worsen survivors’ isolation.
Through the program, social workers and case managers will be able to book rides directly for survivors via Uber Health, ensuring confidentiality and control. Rides can be scheduled in advance or requested in real-time, making the program flexible and responsive to urgent needs.
A Broader Commitment to Women’s Safety and Equity
The launch of Hope Rides reflects Uber’s ongoing efforts to address safety concerns for women and marginalized populations—not only within its platform but across the communities it serves. Over the past several years, Uber has invested significantly in in-app safety features, incident reporting tools, and user education campaigns. The company has also engaged in global partnerships with anti-violence and women’s advocacy organizations, reinforcing its commitment to creating safer experiences both on and off the road.
This includes features like:
- Emergency button in-app to call 911 directly
- Real-time ride tracking and sharing
- Driver background checks and training
- Anonymous feedback and reporting systems
Hope Rides represents a natural extension of this work, enabling Uber to support survivors in a meaningful, tangible way—especially at their most vulnerable moments.
“We recognize that we have a unique ability to remove obstacles that stand between survivors and the support they need,” said West. “And we are honored to be working alongside Alliance for HOPE International, an organization that has done so much to redefine how communities respond to domestic violence and trauma.”
Collaboration That Drives Systemic Change
By teaming up with a nationally recognized organization like Alliance for HOPE International, Uber is not just donating rides—it’s co-creating a solution that reflects the real needs and lived experiences of survivors. Alliance for HOPE brings decades of expertise in violence prevention, survivor care, and systems change. Their network of Family Justice Centers serves as a national model, grounded in evidence-based practices and survivor-centered advocacy.
This partnership also exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to corporate social responsibility: one where businesses listen to local voices, co-design impactful solutions, and remain accountable to the communities they serve.
A Model for Replication
Hope Rides is already generating momentum as a model that can be scaled and replicated across other sectors and communities. The hope is that this initiative will inspire similar collaborations—between public agencies, nonprofits, and private companies—that address barriers survivors face beyond transportation, including digital access, child care, and language services.
As survivors across the U.S. continue to navigate complex paths to safety and recovery, Hope Rides offers not just a practical service, but a powerful message: you are not alone, and there is a ride—and a community—waiting to help you take the next step.