Plymouth’s city ID program got off to a good start in its first year, according to its coordinators, even though fewer people are using it than initially hoped. The city council held a required annual review of the PRIDE Card program Monday.
Coordinators reported that it’s been extremely well received by local businesses. Multiple pharmacies now accept it, and St. Joseph Health System has reportedly agreed to let residents use it to get their COVID-19 vaccine.
The PRIDE Card is designed to let residents who are unable to get a state-issued identification card for whatever reason to still be able to identify themselves and access services that might otherwise be unavailable.
But so far, only about 160 people had signed up. Officials blamed much of that on the COVID-19 pandemic. Plymouth School Superintendent Andy Hartley said the school corporation had planned to hold signup events, but the pandemic forced them to be delayed. That’s required residents to travel to La Casa de Amistad in South Bend, if they want to get a card.
In spite of that, Hartley said the families who’ve gotten the PRIDE Card are appreciative and have been using it in the community. From the schools’ standpoint, he said he’s confident the system will work, when it comes to checking in visitors.
Council members voiced no objections to letting the program continue.
