Driven with compassion
Catholic Charities Fort Worth volunteer driver Steve Zerbe gives John Williams a ride to a physical therapy appointment. (NTC/Rodger Mallison)
In 2023, Catholic Charities Fort Worth provided more than 63,000 affordable rides to folks in Tarrant County. They continue to run about 250 trips a day.
As the director of transportation, Matt Jacobs coordinates CCFW’s transportation programs. “Our impact on the community is making sure people have the freedom to do what they want to do,” Jacobs said. Most importantly, CCFW’s drivers “are so compassionate.”
CCFW operates two programs for transit agency Trinity Metro: Northeast Transportation Service (NETS) and Tarrant County Transportation Service. Both programs, which are funded using federal and state dollars, provide rides to individuals with disabilities or seniors 65 or older for medical appointments, work, social activities, or shopping in various areas of Tarrant County. With support from Hurst, Euless, Bedford, and several Christian organizations, CCFW also runs HEB Transit, which provides rides for work and work-related activities to qualifying adults over 18. Each of these services charges $3.25 or less per ride.
John Williams has been riding with NETS for many years.
“I needed a ride; I’m blind,” he shared. “It helps me get around independently.”
Williams travels with NETS “about four times a week” going to doctor’s appointments, to the American Legion, occasional grocery shopping, and “pretty much everywhere I need to go.”
Williams pointed out that NETS is limited to participating cities and areas. Jacobs explained that CCFW coordinates with other public transportation services such as Trinity Metro’s ZipZone as well as the Arlington Via app and that he is “advocating for seamless transportation.”

Courtney Bennett, a parishioner at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Keller, learned about NETS through a colleague working in special education transitional services. Bennett’s adult sons with differing abilities use NETS to get to and from work and classes.
“They have gained a lot of independent skills and self-confidence being able to work on their own,” Bennett said.
Beyond providing convenient service, CCFW drivers care about their clients.
“If [clients] come out of dialysis and aren’t looking well, we’ll bring them right back and say, ‘Hey, they’re not ready to go,’” said Jacobs.
Father Zachary Burns, TOR, has been volunteering as a driver for NETS since Lent 2023, when he felt convicted by his own homily to “go out and serve.”
The parochial vicar of Good Shepherd Parish in Colleyville enjoys hearing about his clients’ lives. He has learned about rolling chair volleyball at senior centers and about books he hasn’t read. By listening to his clients’ stories, he keeps his “finger on the pulse of the community, not just the immediate Catholic community.”
He wears his habit with his Catholic Charities hat when in the driver’s seat.
More information about CCFW’s transportation services at CCFWTransportation.com.
Volunteer, contribute to, or learn more about Catholic Charities Fort Worth by visiting CatholicCharitiesFortWorth.org.