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From Habitat
Repair Cafe: building community one fix at a time
The season of repair
In a time of mass consumerism, and when items that are slightly faulty often end up in the landfill, our community is looking for better, more sustainable ways to make what we have last. That’s where the Repair Cafe comes in. Throughout the year, Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region has partnered with the La Crosse Public Library to host a series of Repair Cafes. These are free, community-centered events where people can bring in broken or worn items and learn how to fix them with help from skilled volunteers.
These free community events give people the chance to bring in broken or worn items, whether it’s a wobbly stool, a torn shirt, or a tangled necklace and learn how to repair them alongside skilled volunteers. The goal is simple: to keep usable items out of landfills, share repair knowledge, and build a stronger, more sustainable community in the process.
So far this year, we’ve hosted five successful Repair Cafes and helped nearly 50 community members breathe new life into their belongings. Each event brings a variety of different materials that spark our volunteers to try their best to mend.
On average, 4–5 volunteers lend their time, tools, and expertise at each event. Some are pros with power tools, others excel with needle and thread, but all share the same passion for repair, reuse, and connection. They’re the heart of every Repair Cafe, working side by side with attendees to solve problems.
Meet our Repair volunteers
We’ve been lucky to have a group of dedicated volunteers who come prepared and ready to help out, some who had never volunteered with Habitat before! Jim Cavanaugh, who previously helped run a similar repair event at The Root Note, joined us and brought dozens of sewing machines, which made a huge difference in helping participants learn hands-on mending skills. Zeke Lowther, owner of Tri-State Mud Jacking, brought his knack for troubleshooting and tech know-how to every Repair Cafe, helping with small appliance repairs. And Sheri Schwert, a longtime community advocate for sustainability, has become a familiar face at the Repair Cafe, bringing her own sewing machine and expertise to mend clothing and make small alterations.
Their generosity, creativity, and willingness to share what they know have helped make the Repair Cafe a true reflection of what community can be when people come together to give their time and talents.
Our next Repair Cafe will be held on Saturday, November 8, at the La Crosse Public Library from 10AM to 12PM. Whether you’re bringing an item to mend, eager to learn a few repair tricks, or simply curious to see what it’s all about, we invite you to join us.
Every repair is a small act of hope and a reminder that with a little patience, the right tools, and helping hands, we can make things last. Together, we’re building a greener, more connected La Crosse region, one fix at a time.
Partner Family
Stories
Darshida has been working to become a homeowner for years. She is a passionate nurse, a dedicated mother to four boys, and a longtime La Crosse resident. After years of hard work and unforeseen obstacles, Darshida and her family moved into their new home in spring 2023.