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Hennepin County Fix-It Clinic
How to start your own!
p-rrr2-01a
What?
• At monthly Fix-It Clinics, volunteers with
repair skills help residents disassemble,
troubleshoot and fix their household
appliances and clothing.
• Fix-It Clinics reduce the amount of stuff that
gets thrown in the trash, teach valuable skills
and build community connections.
“In Europe, we
throw out so
many things.”
- Martine Postma,
Amsterdam mother of
two who started
Repair Cafes there.
How it got started
It’s about the people
and their stories
“When I gave the radio to
my girlfriend she freaked,
and she has been listening
to it non-stop. I just
wanted to thank you and
the Fix-It crew for all of
your help!”
Finding volunteers
The right volunteers
• They can fix stuff, but do they have the
patience to teach people who don’t know a
screwdriver from a wrench?
• Will they ask for help if they get stuck?
Why they keep coming back
• “Thank you so much for the opportunity to be involved with the Fix-It Clinics. It is an absolutely brilliant program!”
• “Thanks again, Nancy, for providing us all this wonderful opportunity! I had so much fun!”
• “I got more than what I came for – I learned from other volunteers.”
• “I loved … how happy people who brought their items in were, even if their item was not repairable.”
Getting the word out
• Newspapers (local + Star Tribune)
• City newsletters
• County website
• County/city news releases
• Facebook and Twitter
• Television
Supplies
• Volunteers bring most of their own tools
• A scale
• Electrical cords
• Power strips
• Waivers, surveys
• Trays for holding screws
• Canned air, tape,
batteries, rubbing alcohol,
adhesives
• Laptop
• Snacks and drinks
Have the site help promote
Choosing a location
• Large enough to accommodate 12-15 large rectangular tables plus chairs
• Wi-Fi access
• A television (for testing repaired DVD, VHS players)
• Adequate lighting
• Plentiful electrical outlets
• Centrally located site with promotional options
• Sufficient parking
The check-in table
Measuring results
• At check in, record the item, problem, weight. Sign waiver.
• As resident is leaving, did item get fixed and how, fill out a survey card
Crunching the numbers
• Number of items fixed
vs. number of items
brought in, calculate the
weight of items diverted
from the trash.
Diagnoses and partial
fixes are considered
fixes.
Outcomes
• 6 events so far
• Total people:
300
• Pounds
diverted: 1,900
• Average fix
rate: 74
percent
Feedback
• “I am not at all handy and do not even relish the use of a screwdriver but I found the experience of replacing the part very empowering, and the clinic itself very energizing.”
• "Outstanding service! Thank you very much and especially to Roger -- for his patience and tenacity!
• "We are thrilled at being able to attend. Brian did the work, and he was very methodical and knowledgeable! THANK YOU!"
• "Clone Michael! He is a real craftsman and effective teacher."
• "This is awesome! Nice volunteers."
• "Keep it up -- you are all saints!"
• "Good folks/ kind and welcoming!"
• "It's a most worthwhile effort to save equipment, reduce trash!"
• "Great community event! Thanks.”
Kids are welcome!
Sewing/mending
Why do these?
