Dream on Purpose hosts Car Care 101 at City Auto Repair in Gainesville
Inspiring girls to be independent by teaching them basic car care skills was the purpose of a workshop sponsored by a local nonprofit organization.
Dream on Purpose revved up empowerment and education during its Car Care 101 workshop on Oct. 4 at City Auto Repair in Gainesville, blending cupcakes with confidence as young women learned essential car maintenance skills.
The event was part of the nonprofit’s popular “Cupcakes and Conversations” series, which provides girls ages 11–18 with practical life lessons and personal development opportunities.
The hands-on workshop marked the second year of partnership between Dream on Purpose and City Auto Repair, owned by Rachel Wacha, who opened her doors once again to host the group.
“It’s not as scary as it’s perceived,” said Wacha, a Gainesville native who took ownership of her family’s business in 2016. “If I can educate people and teach them tire pressures, how to check their fluids, and how to change a spare tire, it encourages independence so they know they don’t have to rely on someone else.”
From checking tire pressure and understanding dashboard lights to changing a tire and handling roadside emergencies, participants gained knowledge designed to keep them safe and self-sufficient.
For Dream on Purpose President and Co-founder Shareen Baptiste, the workshop was a fan favorite among mentees in the organization.
“Car Care 101 actually came to us as an inspiration by Steffanie Crockett, one of our board members,” Baptiste said. “She has a background in car maintenance and wanted to make sure that our young ladies had the same information, knowledge, and access to resources so they felt empowered to handle themselves safely in emergency situations.”
Crockett’s idea quickly became one of Dream on Purpose’s most popular workshops. In fact, Baptiste said that as the organization celebrates its 10-year anniversary, Car Care 101 was one of the top sessions that participants requested to bring back.
“For our 10th anniversary, we wanted to make sure that the topics we were bringing to our young people were special,” Baptiste said. “We asked them what they wanted to see again, and Car Care 101 was a resounding favorite.”
This year, attendance grew significantly. “Last year, we had about 11 attendees, and now we’re pushing 40, which is amazing,” Wacha said. “We want to empower and enlighten just enough so they can walk into a shop with confidence and not be taken advantage of. There’s nothing wrong with asking questions.”
That message resonated with participants like Nia Grayson and Journei Anderson, both juniors at P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School.
“My favorite part about this event is learning about the different oils,” Anderson said. “I didn’t know cars had that many different oils, and I enjoyed learning about the tire tread.”
Grayson added that she enjoys the hands-on experience of the workshop.
“I think it is very informational and very good. It [the workshop] shows us the actual part which is what I really like.”
She hopes workshops like this one continue to ignite curiosity and self-sufficiency among young women while expanding Dream on Purpose’s reach, Baptiste said.
“We’re celebrating 10 years of Dream on Purpose, and we’re so grateful to have strong partners like City Auto Repair,” she said. “Because of our community’s support, we’ve been able to grow, reach more girls, even those coming from Marion and Duval counties, and continue empowering tomorrow’s leaders.”
The nonprofit recently secured a $200,000 fixed capital outlay appropriation grant, awarded in 2023 with the advocacy of former state Sen. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, and his team, Baptiste said.
The grant is being used to help secure a brick-and-mortar home to be a permanent safe space where girls and young women can continue to grow and learn, Baptiste said.
“With the help of community support, we want to turn that space into a home for our young ladies,” she said.
For more information about Dream on Purpose and upcoming workshops, visit dreamonpurpose.org.
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