Auto Repair Transformation

Mission: It is the mission, duty and purpose of Auto Repair Transformation (A.R.T.) to close the equity gap for workers and customers in the automotive repair industry by removing barriers to access, inspiring marginalized people to enter and thrive in the industry and advocating for inclusive and equitable environments. We primarily serve and address the needs of BIPOC, Women, LGBTQIA+, and low-income people.

Vision: We envision: an automotive industry that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and low-income individuals and communities; in which our communities are empowered with knowledge about their vehicle’s care and maintenance; and where there are abundant opportunities and shop cultures that allow our communities to enter, thrive and lead.

Our Work: We do this through five principal programs: 1) Apprenticeships: A.R.T. runs a 2-year apprenticeship program that trains new automotive technicians and service advisors. 2) Community workshops: Our community workshops program exists to make car repair knowledge more accessible for BIPOC, Women, LGBTQIA+, and low-income people. 3) Lights out on racism: This program provides free exterior light inspection and bulb replacement for our BIPOC and low-income community. This program also addresses repairs that can cause someone to get a non-moving violation for exterior safety issues. 4) Financial assistance: A reliable and safe vehicle is vital for maintaining one's livelihood, accessing medical appointments, etc. - and this program prioritizes financial assistance towards repairs for our BIPOC, Women, LGBTQIA+ houseless community members. 5) Partners in equity: Our partner shop equity program exists to advocate for car repair shops to become more inclusive (for both employees AND customers).

Need:

• Apprenticeship program - According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS), women make up only 9.5% of the total workforce in automotive repair and maintenance. This includes women in customer service positions. It is estimated that female automotive technicians make up less than 1.5% of the total technician workforce. This male-dominated industry is also known to exclude people of color and people from the LGBTQIA+ community. According to The National Women’s Law Center, the number of women entering the trades has not increased “for decades due in large part to the discrimination that blocks women from entering and staying in the field. Sexual harassment and hostility, lack of mentors, and stereotyped assumptions about women’s capabilities all contribute to the problem.”  Industry-wide, there is a shortage of skilled automotive technicians. A huge part of this problem is that the industry is leaving behind a huge percentage of the available workforce by not welcoming women and other folks from underrepresented populations.
• Low-income auto repair fund and community workshops: There is no disputing reliable transportation increases economic equality. Many low-income people are forced to live further away from their workplaces and essential services due to the high cost of living in major metropolitan areas. Consequently, this leads to longer commutes and limited public transportation options, thereby increasing the need for safe and dependable transportation. Our unhoused population is also at an all-time high, forcing many people to live in their vehicles. This program serves low-income individuals who are referred to us through community partner organizations. In addition to low-cost automotive services, this program provides education and advocacy to ensure economically disadvantaged individuals will not be taken advantage of in the automotive repair setting. Each client receives a comprehensive vehicle inspection in which we identify a list of repair and maintenance priorities and create a customized maintenance plan so they can make informed decisions about their vehicle and budget for future needs. We also educate clients around a preventative maintenance approach to car care to prevent expensive repairs down the road.
• Lights Out On Racism - Lights Out On Racism is a proactive strategy to identify and repair any safety concerns that can cause someone to be pulled over. This program will reduce the likelihood that our BIPOC and low-income community members will be targeted by discriminatory policing. Systemic racism creates an environment where our BIPOC community members are disproportionately targeted and stopped by police for minor violations such as burnt-out taillights or headlights. In Washington, State Patrol data shows that officers searched the vehicles of Black drivers at twice the rate we would expect based on the proportion of Black people in the population, even though white drivers were more likely to have contraband found when searched.