Repair Café of the Peninsula
I founded Repair Café of the Peninsula, a free volunteer-run event where neighbors learn to fix their own broken things. People sit down with a volunteer fixer and work through the repair together, so they leave with skills they can use the next time something breaks. Every repair keeps something useful out of the landfill.
We're officially a California nonprofit corporation and are in the process of applying for federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
repaircafepeninsula.org
repaircafepeninsula.org
1336A Arroyo Ave., San Carlos, CA (opens in Google Maps)
So far, 56 visitors have brought in 79 items, and we've fixed 71% of them.
Causes I Care About
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Right to Repair
If you own it, you should be able to fix it.
That means access to parts, tools and manuals. California's Right to Repair Act (SB 244, in effect since July 2024) requires manufacturers to make them available for many electronics and appliances.
Repair Association -
Data Ownership
Your personal information is yours.
You should have a say in who collects it and sells it. One practical tool is California's Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP), which lets residents send a single request asking 600+ data brokers to delete their personal information.
Try DROP -
Circular Economy
Keeping products and materials in use longer through repair and reuse.
Instead of the usual "make it, use it, throw it away" cycle, a circular economy designs products to last and have their materials recovered.
EPA overview -
Parks and Beaches
Our parks, trails, and beaches stay healthy because people look after them.
You can help restore native habitat by pulling invasive plants and planting natives at a volunteer day. No experience is needed, and San Mateo County Parks provides the tools and training.
Volunteer days