{"id":96141,"date":"2025-07-29T13:48:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T18:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uzurv.com\/?p=96141"},"modified":"2025-07-29T13:51:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T18:51:06","slug":"art-and-connection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uzurv.com\/art-and-connection\/","title":{"rendered":"Art and Connection"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”890375″][vc_single_image media=”96178″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”842454″][vc_custom_heading text_color=”color-210407″ text_font=”font-555555″ uncode_shortcode_id=”581399″ text_color_type=”uncode-palette”]A Chat with Rider Mark Skolnick[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”148692″]Mark Skolnick is an artist, a veteran, and an enthusiastic member of a book study at his local church in Chesterfield County, VA. However, to be a part of these communities, Mark needs transportation.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where UZURV comes in.<\/p>\n

Every weekday, UZURV Drivers give Mark rides to and from the Circle Senior Center where he creates one-of-a-kind paintings. Every Monday evening, they deliver him to church. And, on occasion, they take him to the VA hospital for care.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe drivers are very helpful, courteous,\u201d Mark said in a recent chat. \u201c\u200b\u200bMy transportation is handled with great care, as well as awareness of time and safety. I emphasize safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

With UZURV, Mark stays connected<\/h3>\n
\n
\"Mark
Mark Skolnick and Dr. Deborah Westin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

UZURV is a big help to Mark\u2019s wife Deborah Westin who teaches an hour away at Longwood University.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was concerned about the distance to the Circle Center for Mark. I thought, \u2018How is he going to get there if I\u2019m working?\u2019\u201d Deborah recalled.<\/p>\n

Circle Senior Center told Deborah about UZURV and its partnership with Chesterfield County Mobility Services (CCMS). CCMS partially funds transportation for Chesterfield residents with disabilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I got Mark registered, it was simple. Now, I reserve his rides each month.\u201d Deborah smiled. \u201cIt really helps our lifestyle.\u201d<\/p>\n

But UZURV is more than a convenience for Mark and Deborah. Accessible, affordable transportation is a lifeline to Mark\u2019s art, faith, and community. Riding with UZURV has also provided Mark a deeper experience because of the relationships he\u2019s created.<\/p>\n

\u201cCircle Center offers a measure of healing and a healthy life experience through socialization,\u201d Mark said about his artwork and connections there.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy conversations with UZURV Drivers are also positive human sharing. They serve the same purpose as going to Circle. I get to share with the Drivers,\u201d he added.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”415377″]<\/p>\n

\n
\"Mark
Mark Skolnick with the painting that won him 2nd Prize at the Richmond VA Medical Center Art Exhibit. His cat, Henry looks on in the background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Door-to-door service is key<\/h3>\n

UZURV\u2019s door-to-door service is especially important to Mark because he has difficulty judging distances. Having a Driver who is sensitive to his needs and who escorts him to and from his destination is a vital measure of safety for him and his wife.<\/p>\n

Alice, a nurse with Home Helpers, works with Mark during the week and sometimes accompanies him on his UZURV rides. She appreciates that the Drivers address Mark by name, take their time, and that Mark seems relaxed with them.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”204525″]<\/p>\n

Rave reviews for UZURV Drivers<\/h3>\n

Mark and Deborah couldn’t be more grateful for their UZURV Drivers. They sent CCMS glowing reviews \u2013 and they’re not alone.<\/p>\n

Tracey Clock with CCMS loves the feedback she receives about UZURV Drivers. She and her team \u201cghost ride\u201d with UZURV, so they can experience the service for themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s scary to ride outside your comfort zone,\u201d Clock said. \u201cThe first couple of times, I was very nervous. Will they show up? Will I be on time? Am I going to have a problem? Will they cancel at the last minute?\u201d<\/p>\n

But her team gave UZURV high marks. \u201cWe\u2019ve had very good experiences with UZURV. The drivers are courteous, on time. The app tells me who they are, where they are, or if the ride\u2019s been switched. I feel very comfortable in their vehicles. No complaints,\u201d Clock offered.<\/p>\n

UZURV Drivers: Providing more than transportation<\/h3>\n

Mark and his UZURV Drivers have become close. Often, they talk with each other about important things in their lives and in the lives of the people they care about.<\/p>\n

For Mark’s Drivers, the conversations have been meaningful.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the last five years, I haven’t met a person more filled with gratitude than Mark,\u201d said Driver Rick McKeel. “His attitude comes through in every single conversation you have with him \u2013 as well as his sense of humor.”<\/p>\n

McKeel went on to say, \u201cIf you’re having a really challenging day, and he gets in the car \u2013 you completely forget about it. I end up refocusing my energy on what I should be grateful for rather than things I can\u2019t control. That’s a pretty remarkable thing in our culture today.”<\/p>\n

Driver Denise McManus had similar things to say: \u201cYou can\u2019t help but smile after you\u2019ve been around Mark. It\u2019s a very heartwarming, pleasant experience whenever I drive him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s not just a client,\u201d she continued. \u201cI feel like I\u2019m driving a friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even more than the personal connections, UZURV Drivers see themselves as something more.<\/p>\n

Mark’s nurse, Alice, asked one of the drivers why he worked for UZURV and not another transportation network. \u201cHe said, \u2018I’m not just a transporter. I see myself as a link between giving someone the opportunity to be the best possible version of themselves.\u2019\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”890375″][vc_single_image media=”96178″ caption=”yes” media_width_percent=”100″ uncode_shortcode_id=”842454″][vc_custom_heading text_color=”color-210407″ text_font=”font-555555″ uncode_shortcode_id=”581399″ text_color_type=”uncode-palette”]A […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":96178,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-for-riders"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nArt and Connection | UZURV<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"UZURV Rider, Mark Skolnick, is an artist, a veteran, and an 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