Lifting Up Kathy

Kathy first heard about The Lift Garage through the Eagles Nest Shelter for women and children. At the time, she was driving “Big Blue” – an early 2000s Chevy Impala she got as a hand-me-down from her nephew. ⁠
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“It was a blessing to get, and I was really excited because I needed a car. I remember my brother was a little embarrassed by my reaction, but I couldn’t help it. I was so happy.” ⁠
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As an older, hand-me-down car, however, Big Blue had what Kathy described as a “multitude” of problems, including issues with the cooling system, steering, and wheels. When she came to The Lift for a fix-up, it wasn’t the repairs that stood out to her the most though. Instead, it was the people and a shift in her spirit. ⁠
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“At that time, things were on a downward trajectory in my life,” Kathy shared. “Car repair is always a huge expense when you’re in poverty and, if I hadn’t heard about The Lift, I probably would have become carless. But you guys, by being here and making the cost affordable, it got me on solid ground. And the kindness and consideration, on top of getting my car safe, lifted my spirits. It got me up and going again.” ⁠
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For Kathy, a safe car is an extension of her independence. It helps her keep her “life force” going by being a tool to take care of her needs. “I use my car every day – for groceries, for shopping, for visiting, going to meetings, you name it. I really depend on it for a lot.” ⁠
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We first saw Kathy back in 2018. Since then, Kathy has gotten a new, used car and has transitioned from the shelter to low-income housing. She also started taking business classes and hopes to one day run her own. ⁠
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Thank you, Minneapolis, for making safe cars possible for neighbors like Kathy. When you support low-cost car repair, you’re supporting our community on the road to more secure lives.