The Vashon Fix-It Youth Academy, a new program aimed at teaching middle and high school students basic repair skills and reducing waste, is launching with the support of ORBIT and The Vashon Fix-It Café. The program will be led by experienced inventor and fixer Dennis Chien, with assistance from volunteers from Zero Waste Vashon and the Vashon Tool Library. The first event, which will focus on lamp repair, will be held as part of ORBIT’s programming.

According to ORBIT program manager and textile fixer Michelle Lassaline, “We believe that with the right tools and training, young people can learn to fix their own items, reduce their environmental impact, and obtain skills that will last a lifetime.”

The event will take place on March 18, 2023 from 9:00AM-2:00PM at ORBIT’s northwest wing of Open Space for Arts & Community and is free of charge, with tools provided. Space is limited!

Please register here or by contacting Michelle Lassaline directly. This event is made possible through a grant from the King County Eco-Consumer Program and discounted tools sourced from Vashon Ace Hardware.

ORBIT is the all-ages arts and music wing of Open Space, with a mission to empower young  voices, build community, and provide a space for all-ages arts and music. The program is shaped by the community and includes a diverse range of events such as music shows, art workshops, and more. ORBIT works in collaboration with other island youth organizations to create programs and provide a facility for youth events, fundraisers, camps, and meetings.