History
The Gate’s Automotive Mechanics Program was started in 2020 as a summer club partnership with local mechanic David Mohr. Interest in mechanics continued and school year and summer clubs were offered over the next couple of years. After 3 years of the club meeting outdoors, generous financial grants were given by Ag West Credit and the Developing Successful People Foundation so an Automotive Mechanics Shop could be built in partnership with the First Baptist Church.
Automotive Mechanics Shop
During the summer of 2024, over 30 students participated in “construction club,” building the automotive shop from the ground up. The teens involved, learned to build concrete forms, bend rebar, pour concrete, frame walls, set trusses, and install siding and roofing. Local business partners included Dave’s Mobile Repair, Robertson Concrete, S&S Electric and Napa- Davison. The finished shop was outfitted with tools and includes a car lift.
Classes/Clubs
Currently, the automotive mechanics program is offering a Automotive 202 - Diagnostic and Repair - Under the Hood on Tuesday afternoons from 4-5:30.
Automotive 101 - Vehicle Recovery and Maintenance class on Wednesday mornings from 9-11 am (open to online, home and charter school students) as well as Wednesday afternoons from 4-5:30 pm (open to all students).
On Thursday afternoons from 4-5:30 pm, is our Automotive Hangout time. Automotive Hangout is where the students work on donated vehicles as well as personal and community projects.
Community Service & Partnerships
Oil Clinics - The Automotive Repair program in partnership with the local ministries of InFaith, Bambinos and Polk County offers 2 oil change clinics each year for low income families. For a typical oil clinic, over 15 adult and student volunteers will come together on a Saturday and do 12 oil changes, while the families enjoy some snacks and conversation. If you are in need of an oil change, click here. If you are interested in partnering with the program and serving at an oil change clinic or clubs, please fill out our Volunteer Application.
Community Car Repair - The Gate is able to offer some car repair and maintenance for low-income community members in need. Please understand that we are not able to serve all requests and having a repair done by the automotive program does not guarantee we will be able to continue to work on your vehicle. Further maintenance and repair will require a new application. Not all vehicle repairs are in the scope of what the automotive program is able to do. Please click HERE to apply (Vehicle Make, Model, Year and License Plate needed for application). *We do not do emergency repairs.
Vehicle Donations
(All donations are tax deductible)
The Gate accepts almost all automotive vehicle donations. All donated vehicles will be evaluated. If the vehicle can be repaired in a cost effective manner, it will be used for classes, repaired and inspected and either sold to help fund the automotive mechanics program or donated to a low income family. If the vehicle is not considered repairable in a cost effective manner, the vehicle will be sold for scrap metal and the money will fund the program. If you would like to contact us about a vehicle donation, please click here.
"This club has been super fun. I have always loved cars and wanted to work on them, so I like that I have had the chance to work on and learn about cars."
Jackson H., Student
"Automotive club was spectacular. The banter, the experience, and the lovely people. It was truly the most fun I’ve ever had in a club before."
Jax L., Student
"Automotive club confirmed my choice in job interests, improved my mechanics skill set, and furthered my interest in cars."
Nathan D., Student
"I have learned a lot of patience in the automotive class. It helped me to wake up in the morning, when I heard that automotive was at 9 am. I enjoyed learning, helping and hanging out and I hope to do it again."
Elijah M., Student
"I’ve learned how to do brake jobs and have really enjoyed hanging out with friends. I had basic automotive knowledge but this helped me a lot. It is so fun working with a lift like a real mechanic."
Liam C., Student
"I'm still in so much awe and gratitude at how the Lord used all of you to help me out. You have no idea.....I was out of work for 5 months, and while I'm back at the District now, I'm DoorDashing to make ends meet. God is good, but not only did I have every resource tied up, I was counting on DD money to catch up on bills. So the car thing really threw me for a scary loop. I prayed, "Lord, I have every penny spoken for, and the money I'm planning on earning from now until the end of the year is gone if I don't have a car. I'm flat out asking you to just pull this car repair out of thin air. I have nothing."And then The Gate showed up."
Chris, Community Member
