state-by-state exploration of local solutions. FROM THE WINTER 2017 ISSUE of Yes! Magazine
This article is part of ourThey started a “repair cafe,” where once a season locals can bring broken household items like vacuums, bicycles, and clothes for repair. Knowledgeable neighbors help fix the broken items and provide their owners with a few tips on how to take care of problems in the future.
Virginia Walton helped organize the first repair cafe. She says that while the repair cafe started as a way to encourage residents to reuse and recycle, it has since become a community event that helps people get to know each other. “I’m no professional, but when I finish mending something … the person has such a look of joy on her face,” she says. “It’s soul food.”
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Electronics fixers and guests. Photo by Elisha Sherman.
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Jean DeSmet and John Schwenk working on a spotlight. Photo by Elisha Sherman.
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Students sewing with guests. Photo by Elisha Sherman.
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Adam Schueritzel and Kurt Ravenwood. Photo by Eva Csejtey.
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Bookbinding by Sandy Rosado. Photo by Eva Csejtey.
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Judy Prill’s lamp workshop. Photo by Eva Csejtey.
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Linkesh Diwan fixing a chair. Photo by Eva Csejtey.