Teens Work to Repair Cars to Gift to Single Moms.

Thanks to a unique program, the cars students repair go to single mothers within their community who are struggling financially. Automotive teacher Shane Robertson partners with Giving Words, a local nonprofit, to make it all possible. 

The program instructs the teens on practical skills training, including brake and tire repairs, fluid changes, battery testing, and maintaining heating and cooling systems. The curriculum fosters teamwork, responsibility and problem-solving. In addition to preparing students with practical skills, they gain a sense of purpose as their work directly helps others in their community.

“The whole class is very rewarding,” said 16-year-old student Holden Pekary. “It gives you more of a purpose.”

Single moms in the community receive the refurbished cars at no cost. Many of the recipients need reliable transportation to secure and retain employment, and to transport their children to school, appointments and activities. 

The students' teacher explains that the program goes beyond learning useful, hands-on skills. 

“They get the real-life grit behind why they are really doing a task,” said Shane. “This is somebodyߴs real car and you're really making a change in the world, which is something thatߴs kind of unique.”

Eddie Brown, Giving Words founder, said that he was inspired to start the program after struggling with reliable transportation while raising his own children. 

“My wife and I were both single parents and struggled with transportation,” Eddie shared. 

He explained how expensive vehicle repairs can threaten someoneߴs financial stability, and he founded Giving Words to help solve this problem for other community members in need. 

Giving Words collaborates with individual owners and area repair shops to help obtain the donated vehicles, which students then repair for program recipients. Over the course of eight years, the teens have repaired 60 vehicles that have ultimately improved the lives of single moms in the community.

Students present the newly refurbished car to the lucky recipient, to a rousing round of applause, complete with a giant red bow. Students get to enjoy up to five of these presentation ceremonies per year, and they get to see recipientsߴ joy and gratitude first-hand as a result.

Jessica Rader, single mom to three and recipient of a 2007 gold Toyota Prius, said the kindhearted gesture brought her to tears.

“People that didnߴt even know me cared enough to care about my kids,” Jessica said. “You never know what one act of kindness will do.”

The Foundation for a Better Life and PassItOn.com believe that the teen automotive students are heroes. Their compassionate act is a great example of helping others. They are using their skills to drive families from crisis to security, and from stress to a place of hope. 

Watch video here: https://youtu.be/crspY79Xqpw?si=Ltte7if7yBb5rNbb

Click the link if you would like to learn more:  https://givingwordsva.org/

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