About Escorted Transportation Services

Thank you for your interest in our program. Escorted Transportation Service Northwest provides rides for seniors to medical and dental appointments within the boundaries specified on the brochure and information sheet at this website. Trained licensed and insured volunteer drivers use their own cars to transport ETS/NW passengers, wait for them, and bring them home again. Our award winning volunteer drivers are even willing to stop at the pharmacy on the way home as needed.

With God’s blessing, this service began in September of 2006 as a grass roots outreach to seniors. Founder Kathy Kasprowicz, with the guidance of Marie Payes as a mentor, duplicated a program that had been discontinued by a local organization. Carol Anderson and Beth Drost soon joined their efforts in recruiting board members and procuring funds for this start up program dedicated to serving seniors in need of health related transportation.
Board Members, President Maureen Seleski, Vice-president Rhonda Jensen, Treasurer Paul Schmidt, and Secretary Jan Abernethy are the Executive Directors. Carol Anderson chairs the Communication Committee; Sharon Flaherty chairs the Fund Raising Committee. Howard Braun and Pat Barrett, who are also drivers, Kay Olivo who serves on the Fund Raising Committee and Renee Watts who serves on the ED search committee also govern this organization.

ETS/NW moved to the Arlington Heights Senior Center in February of 2007 and remains there, grateful for room to grow in such an appropriate location.

In September of 2011, Kathy stepped down as Executive Director to a part time position as Director of Program and Operations. We warmly welcome Lynndah Lahey as our new Executive Director, driving us into the future. Lynndah is a former member of our volunteer support staff team that provides countless hours of assistance in the office.
Although we provide over 2,000 rides per year, our annual budget has been under $60K. The cost of a ride in 2010 was $22.55. Since passengers are asked for a $12 donation for each trip, other fundraising is required.
We are grateful to the Retirement Research Foundation, The Eisenberg Foundation, The INC Organization of the Arlington Senior Center, the Webb Foundation, Wheeling and Palatine Townships, Arlington Heights Community Development Block Grant Fund, and other generous contributions of Community leaders and private benefactors, like you, listed on our brochures and in our Annual Report. Both of these documents are available on this website for your convenience.
Since September of 2006, ETSNW has provided well over 10,000 rides. God willing, that will continue to multiply for many years to come.