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Breanna Archuleta recieved a refurbished car through the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program on Nov. 25, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Freeman Collision Center) 
The awarded vehicle was a refurbished, 2018 Chrysler 300. (Photo courtesy of Freeman Collision Center) 
Breanna Archuleta recieves a ceremonial key and the real key to her car. (Photo courtesy of Freeman Collision Center) 
Breanna Archuleta. (Photo courtesy Archuleta)
Livermore resident and single mother of three young children Breanna Archuleta was awarded her very first vehicle this fall through the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program.
The National Auto Body Council is a not-for-profit organization that facilitates a program in which industry professionals collaborate to repair and donate vehicles to deserving individuals and service organizations.
Nominated by Shepherd’s Gate — a faith-based, holistic shelter in Livermore — Archuleta received a refurbished, 2018 Chrysler 300.
Since being awarded the car life has been so much easier, 31-year-old Archuleta said.
Having two children with autism and a need for specialized services, therapies and medical appointments, she said her family’s newfound transportation has been a blessing.
“I can just drop everyone where they need to be and handle what I need to handle,” Archuleta said.
Before being awarded the new set of wheels, Archuleta grappled with transportation for her children who range in age from 5 years old and below.
She would request Shepard’s Gate staff drive her eldest daughter to school, but sometimes she was denied due to low staffing, she said.
Another option was ride-sharing, but holding each child’s hand and three car seats for the crew made it a difficult task. Public transit came with its challenges too, since it was difficult for her two children with autism to sit while waiting or riding the bus.
Some days, Archuleta instead opted for a 25-minute walk to her eldest daughter’s school, pulling her three kids in a wagon the whole way.
“It was just a really big physical strain on me,” Archuleta said. And the near-hour long round-trip would make her late to program classes at Shepard’s Gate.
She faced similar challenges when it came to attending appointments for her children with autism.
Now equipped with a car, bringing her daughter to school has been much more efficient.
“Oh my gosh, it’s so much easier because when you drive it’s only like seven minutes away,” she said. “It’s freed up a lot of time and it’s so much easier.”
Looking toward the future, when Archuleta transitions out of Shepherd’s Gate the vehicle will allow her to travel between work, child care and school which would have otherwise been impractical.
“I’m super grateful that they picked me to receive (the car) because it’s been such a blessing,” Archuleta said.
The vehicle was donated by Farmers Insurance and refurbished by the technicians of Freeman Collision Center of Santa Rosa.
“It was so special to gift a 2018 Chrysler 300 Limited to a young woman that has bravely managed through some challenges in her life,” Freeman Collision Center collision director Jesse Parks said in a statement.
