Repair Revolution: Launching LA County Fixit Clinics

Social support networks

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

We understand that strong social support networks are crucial for community resilience and belonging. Underserved communities, especially elderly individuals and veterans aged 65+, often face social isolation and loneliness. The CDC notes that older adults will comprise 20% of the US population by 2030, and according to PALA, LA County’s 2 million residents aged 60+ are expected to be near 3 million (28% of the County’s population) by 2030. Additionally, LA County alone has over 230,000 veteran residents, many 65 or older. These individuals have valuable skills and knowledge yet often lack engagement opportunities. Through our efforts, we aim to reduce social isolation and enhance community support by recruiting senior and veteran volunteers. Additionally, we focus on youth economic development in STEM by providing teens with opportunities to become assistants or apprentices to our Fixit Coaches, promoting trade skill development, intergenerational connections, and future employability

This grant will support LA County Fixit Clinics by addressing social isolation among seniors and veterans through volunteer engagement initiatives. Our Clinics are ideal for retired tradespeople, veterans, and handy individuals to share their skills with the community. We recognize their unique skills and aim to create meaningful opportunities for them to contribute to our environmental sustainability mission while fostering a sense of purpose and belonging.
To enhance our impact and promote repair culture and responsible waste management, we seek funding for a targeted volunteer recruitment marketing campaign and communication strategy. This will involve social media, advertising, strategic billboard placements, and flyering in locations frequented by seniors and veterans, such as community centers, bingo halls, and targeted veteran service organizations like the American Legion, New Direction Veterans, and Round The Globe.
We aim to harness the talents of seniors and veterans, providing them with a sense of purpose and reducing social isolation while strengthening community support networks. This initiative advances our mission and enriches the lives of elderly and veteran residents in LA County while also building our capacity to repair more items and educate more participants on sustainable waste management. Our program also supports youth involvement, providing trade skill development and learning opportunities by shadowing Fixit Coaches at our Clinics.

We’ve identified 5 outcomes for LA County with the success of our program. Enhanced Social Cohesion: Our Clinics will bridge generational and social gaps, reducing isolation among elderly and veteran residents by involving them as mentors, fostering intergenerational connections. Increased Community Engagement: By promoting interaction, skill-sharing, and environmental education, our Clinics will strengthen social networks, creating a more connected community. Economic Empowerment: Through hands-on repair sessions, participants, especially youth, will gain valuable repair skills, enhancing employability and economic opportunities. Waste Reduction: Our Clinics will divert thousands of pounds of waste from landfills annually, conserving resources, reducing energy consumption, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions in LA County. Accessible Resources: Underserved communities will gain access to practical repair and waste management resources, empowering them to manage waste sustainably.

We measure the 1) environmental, 2) social, and 3) economic impact of our Clinics. 1) We measure waste diverted from landfills by weighing all items brought in for repair and tracking successful repairs, which allows us to calculate gHg emission reductions. This demonstrates our model’s effectiveness in promoting repair over disposal. 2) We assess social impact and community engagement by tracking participation rates at Clinics. Increased rates indicate growing awareness and interest in sustainable waste management. Additionally, post-workshop surveys measure participants' demographics, knowledge, and repair skills, gauging the effectiveness of our educational efforts. 3) We assess the financial benefits of extending the lifespan of items and reducing the frequency and cost of replacements. This data provides insight into how our Clinics contribute to individual financial well-being and broader economic resilience within the community.

The County of Los Angeles has contracted Zero Waste San Diego to host 12 Fixit Clinics—one per month—in various communities across LA County from 2024 to 2025. While this contract helps cover essential operational costs and tools, it does not fully fund all aspects of creating and hosting successful and vibrant Fixit Clinics. Additionally, navigating bureaucratic elements can complicate the allocation of funds, making it challenging to cover all necessary expenses.
To ensure the success of these clinics, we need additional funding for several critical areas included in this application. These additional resources will help us create a more engaging, effective, and far-reaching program, fostering a repair culture and reducing waste in LA County.