What We Do
Berthoud RAFT is a volunteer transportation program that serves the residents of the Berthoud area.
Who We Serve
Serving adults 60+ needing rides and adults 18+ with mobility-related disabilities in ZIP 80513 and the Berthoud Fire Protection District.
Who We Are
Rural Alternative for Transportation (RAFT) was established by volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the lives of those who cannot drive. Even today, volunteers schedule rides and drive their own vehicles on their own time.
RAFT is a charitable nonprofit organization, with a board of directors that serve without remuneration. They volunteer their time to assure the rural residents of the Berthoud Fire Protection District have access to much needed transportation.
Since it’s inception, RAFT has gained the valuable support of local businesses, regional foundations, government agencies, as well as the wonderful volunteers and donors who keep our wheels turning.
YEARS OF
FOUNDATION
AVG MILES
PER TRIP
ACTIVE
VOLUNTEERS
TRIPS
IN 2024
Our Core Values
Compassion
Lead with empathy and kindness, treating every rider and volunteer with care and respect
Inclusivity
Welcome every neighbor, honoring diverse needs and ensuring equitable access to rides
Reliability
Show up on time, follow through, and deliver safe, consistent service every trip
Integrity
Do the right thing--be honest, transparent, and accountable in all actions and decisions
Community Service
Put people first, strengthening local connections through everyday acts of support
Ruth Fletcher-Carter
The RAFT History
Once upon a time in 1992, a small local transportation service named BATS began, quietly serving the people of its community. Fast forward to 2014, this seed of an idea grew into something official, RAFT was born. Milestone by milestone, RAFT made progress: In 2015, RAFT acquired their first van. By 2018, they had a recruited multiple schedulers to handle growing needs. in 2021, they proudly achieved Non-Profit Status. Then in 2023, they hired paid staff and introduced critical software upgrades to streamline operations. As RAFT grew, so did the world around it.
Ruth Fletcher-Carter, founded Berthoud’s Rural Alternative For Transportation (RAFT)
Executive Team
RAFT Team
We are a community united by universal transportation access.
Clouds in the sky represent external pressures, like rapid community growth, changing funding, and shifting agency demands. But RAFT didn’t back down. Instead, they laid out a bold vision for 2024-2026, broken into six clear goals:
Become a leader among local non-profits
Expand scope to meet more community needs
Create an advanced ride access system
Diversify funding sources
Modernize and expand their fleet
Strengthen organizational culture
This journey is illustrated as a road weaving through hills and valleys, filled with roadblocks like lack of coordination, outdated systems, and limited driver resources. But RAFT’s people don’t just identify challenges, they push through them. As we move toward the right side of the map, we see RAFT’s vehicles cruising forward, guided by strong RAFT Mission and Guiding Principles, like Delivering clients safely, Caring about neighbors, Cultivating partnerships, and going above and beyond. Along this journey, colorful figures represent people actively removing roadblocks. Each one is tackling real issues with actionable strategies, like Strengthening volunteer recruitment, Boosting communication, Securing additional funding and resources, and Improving technology and partnerships.