PEDAL TO THE METAL
2025 Impact Report
Mission
To close the equity gap for drivers and workers in the automotive repair industry by removing barriers to access in auto repair, inspiring marginalized people to enter and thrive in the industry, and advocating for equitable environments.
VISION
To transform auto repair.
I am interested in taking something [ART workshop] like this. My husband passed away in September, and he was always so good at maintaining the car, so I am interested in learning how to do things like check my oil, fluids, etc. - Lesley R. Lesley came to class all the way from Everett and, following the class, she emailed ART sharing that it was very informative. Before class, Lesley talked about how intimidated she was to take on the car maintenance because she never had to. However, it was important to her because her husband was so good about caring for their car. We were honored to support her learning.
A note from ELI
In 2025, Auto Repair Transformation has been called to show up in a moment of profound urgency and profound possibility. As 2SLGBTQ+ communities, immigrants, and Black and Brown families face escalating harm, criminalization, and economic instability, we see every day how deeply safety and survival are tied to transportation. This year, 43% of the people we served were living in their vehicles. For many, a working car is not just a way to get to work, it is shelter, stability, and sometimes the only path out of danger. We are proud of how our community has responded. In the face of rising need, we more than doubled the impact we were able to deliver in 2025. We helped shift the narrative around transportation as an economic equalizer, and in many cases, a lifeline. We more than doubled the number of grant partners investing in this work and continued to grow a strong, values-aligned community around repair as justice. The most exciting work lies ahead. With support from the Seattle Equitable Development Initiative, we are pursuing a permanent home for A.R.T., a step that will increase our capacity and our own sense of security as an organization that, until now, has been teetering on the same edge of displacement as many of our clients. Putting down roots and investing in a space designed as a community hub for safety and dignity is a game changer for this work. We look forward to continuing and growing this work with you.
Welcome! Buhlebethu Ratego Administrative Assistant she/her “What truly excites me about ART is its mission-driven approach to restoring dignity, opportunity, and stability through practical support and transformation. The organisation’s commitment to people-centered impact strongly aligns with my personal passion for human rights and equitable access to opportunity. Being part of work that directly uplifts individuals and communities is deeply motivating, and I’m excited to contribute my skills in support of a mission that creates real, lasting change.”
In solidarity,
Eli Alison Founder + Executive Director
they/them
- Buhlebethu
2025 BY THE NUMBERS
$90,399.95 in repairs across both LIR and LOR-MORE THAN DOUBLE last year ($34,178.36) ! *
264.5 Labor hours donated for repairs
552.5 Combined repair labor + service advisor hours
144 safety inspections performed + CustomER education emails sent with digital inspection reports with pictures and videos of our findings so clients learn about their vehicle
288 Individualized CLIENT EDUCATION HOURS to empower community around vehicle safety, maintenance, and repairs
I felt like the richest man driving away from your shop today...I actually felt safe for the first time in forever as I drove away…Your mission to help this community feel safer and more empowered is the type of thing that gives me hope in such dark times. This team’s work truly changes lives. -Jake
142 bulbs replaceD
1 8 tires
replaced
*LIR - Low Income Repair / LOR - Lights Out On Racism
2025 clients:
29% disclosed they were
*
impacted by domestic violence
43% experiencing
Houselessness or housing instability/live in vehicles 42% are caregivers 25% “ justice ” system impacted 69% make less than 25k ** *** ****
Native/Alaska Native 9% Asian American Pacific Islander 7%
Other 5%
Black or African American 29%
23% of all clients identified as Hispanic, Lantinx, or Spanish origin
More than one Race 13%
White 37%
Men 18%
ART CLIENTS ARE:
Nonbinary 15%
1 in 5: Part time employed 1 in 4: Not employed 11% On unemployment 1 in 4: Other (E.g. gig worker, on disability) 30% Full time employed
Women 56%
Transgender 11%
CHANGES FROM 2024: *Up 14% ** Up 13% *** Up 5% **** Down 14%
Supporting an equity-based program to reduce barriers for folks getting into this field is incredibly important to me so donating is an honor! - AJ D., ART Accelerator
A closer look at our programs
lights out on racism is a proactive initiative that reduces unnecessary traffic stops by addressing vehicle safety issues that disproportionately lead to discriminatory policing. A.R.T. provides free safety inspections and repairs for non-moving violations, such as faulty lights, mirrors, and other critical safety concerns, prioritizing BIPOC and low-income drivers. Through community-based events and partnerships, the program pairs repairs with Know Your Rights education, resources on allyship, and dialogue about systemic disparities in traffic enforcement. LOW INCOME REPAIR Reliable transportation is essential for employment, healthcare access, and daily survival, especially for low-income individuals who often live far from work or essential services. A.R.T.’s Low- Income Repair Program prioritizes BIPOC, women, LGBTQIA+, and unhoused community members by providing critical automotive repairs, education, and advocacy. As housing instability continues to rise across our region, more clients rely on their vehicles as both transportation and shelter, making safe and reliable repairs a critical intervention for stability and survival. COMMUNITY WorkSHOPS where participants can ask questions, build skills, and learn together. Led by experienced automotive technicians, each workshop focuses on practical knowledge such as checking fluids, identifying key vehicle components, jump-starting a battery, and changing a spare tire. We spend time with every participant, ensuring they leave with tools they can use immediately. In 2025, we expanded our educational reach by creating short, accessible videos on car care and maintenance, extending this learning beyond the workshop and into the broader community. At the core of this work is the belief that knowledge is power and that understanding one’s vehicle is a critical step toward safety, independence, and self-determination.
They saved me so much money and apparently my life as I didn’t know how many other problems were occurring with my car. They whole team truly cares about their clients and helping them. Top tier service. - Ashley C.
2025 Program Highlights: Lights Out on Racism + Low-Income Repair
In 2025, Auto Repair Transformation deepened its impact through the combined efforts of our Lights Out on Racism and Low-Income Repair programs , which together address the intersection of transportation safety, economic survival, and racial justice. While the programs remain distinct in design, their overlap reflects the reality our clients face: poverty, unsafe vehicles, and disproportionate exposure to policing are inseparable issues. This year, we also saw a continued rise in clients living in their vehicles , making safety and reliability not just matters of mobility, but of housing and survival. For these individuals, a failed inspection can mean more than a ticket, it can mean losing shelter, being displaced from a safe parking site, or being unable to reach work, medical care, or community support. In response, increased funding allowed us to move beyond primarily minor safety fixes and provide more comprehensive, life-saving repairs for each client we served. In 2024, we covered $34,735 in combined repairs. In 2025, that number grew to $90,400 . While we served slightly fewer clients, each individual received more extensive repairs, ensuring their vehicles were truly safe, roadworthy, and reliable. Our team donated 265 labor hours to repairs in 2025, up from 207 the year prior, not including the many hours spent on individualized client education. We expanded our scope to include critical steering and suspension repairs, brake work, and tire replacement, issues that frequently caused vehicles to fail safety inspections. For many low-income clients, these dangerous conditions had gone unaddressed not out of neglect, but because they could not afford repairs and could not afford to stop driving. When a vehicle is both transportation and shelter, there is no safe alternative.
A major milestone this year was the ability to replace tires that failed safety inspections. In 2025 alone, A.R.T. replaced 108 tires , addressing one of the most common and dangerous contributors to vehicle crashes. National safety data consistently shows that worn tires, faulty brakes, lighting failures, and suspension issues significantly increase the risk of collisions, especially in wet, dark, or high-speed conditions. By intervening early, our programs reduce accidents before they happen while also limiting the likelihood of traffic stops for non-moving violations that disproportionately impact Black and Brown drivers. Because our funding has focused on safety-critical repairs, we have not yet been able to cover preventative maintenance, despite identifying this need on nearly every vehicle. Expanding into preventative care is a key goal for the year ahead. Beyond repairs, we strengthened our community- based approach. In partnership with local organizations, we hosted Lights Out on Racism events that combined safety inspections with Know Your Rights education, community panels featuring experts and people with lived experience, and shared meals. While vehicles were inspected and repaired, participants learned about their rights during traffic stops, accessed resources, and built community in affirming, welcoming spaces. Together, these programs demonstrate what transportation justice looks like in practice: fewer unsafe vehicles on the road, fewer breakdowns that lead to crisis or displacement, fewer opportunities for discriminatory policing and more safety, stability, and dignity for people who rely on their vehicles not just to get somewhere, but to survive.
I’ve had the best experience with Auto Repair Transformation. You all made me feel so welcome and safe to talk about my struggles with my finances regarding my vehicle maintenance. The event I went to was so information about learning my rights when being pulled over and questioned by the police. It’s the people here who make it great! - Lindsey S.
2025 WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
The folks at RR have taken the very best of our wheels for a long time, and it’s a privilege to return the love and help ART with their amazing work as they support our community through education and assistance to those in need. - Andy N, Dave B, Bubba H., ART Accelerators
In 2025, A.R.T.’s community workshops continued to be one of the most energizing and affirming parts of our work. This year, Executive Director Eli Allison led all workshops, creating a space where participants felt safe asking questions, learning at their own pace, and building confidence around their vehicles. One of the most rewarding moments is watching understanding click when a complex system suddenly makes sense, or when participants head straight to their cars after a workshop to check fluids, locate their spare tire, or try something themselves for the first time. What stands out most is how often participants return. Many people who attend one workshop sign up for the next topic, sharing that they gained far more than they expected from their first experience. That repeat participation has become one of the strongest indicators of success, demonstrating not only the value of the information, but the power of learning in a supportive, community-centered environment that replaces fear with confidence.
105 Workshop attendees
31.95 Client education hours (Workshop time plus 1:1 education after class)
11 Workshops
55 instructor hours
Thank you to the 156 individuals and grant partners who supported our work in 2025!
Thank you!
An extra special thank you to our 2025 “Accelerators” aka monthly donors!
AJ D. Andy N., Dave B., & Bubba H. Sean C.
Bryan D. Lisa A. Julie C. Elaine & Lisa
Moriah G. Soph D. Stuart S. Jessica B. Frankie M. Cherri T. Randy S. Daphne S. Victoria L. Ian J.
Rachel H. Maggie K. Enoka H.
Grace N. Emily W. Emma G. Dennis T. Connie L. Ron & Nick W.C.
Blake B. Sarah S. Stephanie Y.
Thank you to the following people who donated their old vehicles this year, either through the CARS donation program or directly to A.R.T. to be refurbished and provided to a community member in need:
Joey G. Paul A. Jorge T.
Michael H. & Andy G. Travis M. Barbara R.
Lauren W. Margaret Y.
Thank you, Grant Partners!
Auto Repair Transformation represents the very best in what we ought to be happening throughout our society: lifting each other up, sharing expertise, making a decent living doing important work, treating everyone with dignity and respect - and even those of us who just make a small donation and bring our cars in to be worked on get to benefit!
Aerie Real Foundation Fales Foundation Trust Garneau-Nicon Foundation Impact 100
Lucky Seven Foundation Moccasin Lake Foundation Muckleshoot Charitable Fund Norcliffe Foundation Pride Foundation Community Grants Tulalip Tribes Seattle EDI Seattle Foundation Washington Federal Foundation WSDOT Civilian Intervention Program
- Daphne S., Monthly Donor
Support our work
Visit autorepairtransformation.org or scan the QR code to give.
Your support will fuel community aid and drive positive change. Here are just a few examples of what your gift can do in your community:
$50-100 provides parts and labor to replace exterior lights for one community member through Lights Out on Racism. $200 provides diagnostic labor for one community member accessing emergency safety repairs through financial assistance. $500 provides instructor time and shop supplies for 12+ community members to receive car maintenance and repair training in a community workshop. $1,000 provides the average level of financial assistance needed to ensure that one community member needing emergency repairs can safely use their car for transportation and/or shelter.
Increase your impact
Want to make an even bigger difference? You can:
Become a monthly donor - aka an A.R.T. Accelerator - and sustain our work all year long! Leverage matching donations from your employer. Connect us to sponsorship and grant funding opportunities. Donate your old car to A.R.T. via our partner CARS - pick up is free, the process is simple, and your gift is tax-deductible. Reach out to development@autorepairtransformation.org if you need assistance with your employer matching process, donating your car, or to discuss collaborative partnerships, corporate sponsorship, or grants.
Auto Repair Transformation is a federal 501c3 non-profit organization registered under Tax ID Number 92-0890374.
ART is the nonprofit sibling of Repair Revolution and we benefit from a collaborative relationship that powers much of ART’s impact. Repair Revolution mechanics do the repairs and client education for our Low Income Repair program and they run vehicle inspections during Lights Out on Racism events.
TEAM work
Thank you, team! Garrett E., Automotive Technician Senna M., Automotive Technician Eric T., Automotive Technician Hyunu C., Service Advisor Acton S., Service Advisor Colleen Richardson, Operations
Thank you, ART Board Members Gabe Fino-Fugate, Board President | Former Repair Revolution Technician, Automotive Technology Instructor, Seattle Public Schools Karisa Kuhn | Equity Advocate | Former Helicopter Mechanic and Service Advisor at Repair Revolution Maggie Karshner, Board Treasurer | Small Business Consultant Carmin Thomas | Automotive Technology Educator, West Seattle High School Former Board Members Enoka Herat | Former ACLU Attorney, Policy Director, Washington State Attorney General’s Office
Connect: Auto Repair Transformation
2425 6th Ave South, Seattle, WA 98134
Email: info@autorepairtransformation.org @AutoRepairTransformation
Auto Repair Transformation is a federal 501c3 non-profit organization registered under Tax ID Number 92-0890374.
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