At the Repair Cafe, people bring their beloved but broken objects, and – with help from volunteer Repair Coaches who are also their neighbors – fix them.
The Repair Cafe idea was born in Amsterdam in 2009 and was brought to New Paltz by volunteer organizer John Wackman in 2013. His dedication enthusiasm and success inspired others to launch Repair Cafe events in 30 communities.
The Repair Cafe has grown because it shows results:
- Transforming our throw-away economy one beloved item at a time
- Reducing how much stuff goes into the waste stream
- Preserving traditional repair know-how & skills and pass them on
- Showing the people who have this knowledge that they are valued
- Feeding our curiosity about “the way things work” & have fun!
- Fostering community sustainability and resilience
Repair Cafe of the Hudson Valley & Catskills is consortium of program organizers who support the work of repair in their communities. All events take place under the umbrella of a host or sponsoring organization in each town. While in-person gatherings are restricted to fight the covid-19 pandemic, Repair Cafe is sponsoring virtual repair events.
Sustainable Hudson Valley is proud to support the Repair Cafe and John Wackman’s current work connecting this program to a wider “circular economy” that can move our region toward zero waste.
Watch the Repair Revolution by John Wackman and Elizabeth Knight, published in October, 2020 by New American Library.
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