A mission of faith: Fixing cars and building community

“Mechanics of Faith” was a phrase that Jason Wells coined when he began helping others with auto repairs from his home more than a decade ago.

As a self-proclaimed “car-junkie” who enjoyed modifying vehicles with his friends in high school, Wells completed oil changes and fixed cars for people in his community.

Although Wells had a 16-year career in design work and currently works as a manager for a manufacturing company, he explained that he has always been the person to offer his assistance to others.

“My heart's always been [with] helping people,” said Wells.

Six years ago, Wells decided to create his own nonprofit, Mechanics of Faith, in order to support the community on a larger scale.

Instead of having people come to his house, Wells fitted a hatchback with a roof rack and toolboxes and began making auto repair visits to people’s homes.

Wanting to reach even more people, Wells obtained a 21-foot trailer and parked it in the gravel lot behind a church for a monthly “pop-up shop.”

Today, Mechanics of Faith operates Tuesday through Friday from a carport in the paved lot behind New Life Church in Henrico, where Wells is a pastor for his church Cars & Christ, which meets out of the shop on Sundays at 5 p.m.

In the future, Wells hopes to build three garages so that bad weather conditions won’t hinder the organization’s work. The group still hosts pop-up shops, but in different locations so that those who can’t make it to New Life can still receive service.

Wells also emphasized the importance of automobile education, such as knowing about general repairs, safety and the rights of customers. Wells and his staff even once took their trailer to Tidewater where they taught young adolescents how to change oil and brakes. They are currently working to convert one wall of their trailer into an educational display.

Mechanics of Faith has partnerships with more than eight organizations who refer clients in need. Customers who are not referred by one of the care partners  must be on food stamps or Medicaid to receive service.

Customers pay a fraction of what they would ordinarily pay at an auto repair shop, only paying for the cost of parts and a small program fee that goes towards keeping the shop operating.

In addition, the auto repair nonprofit accepts donated cars, which its members repair and then donate to veterans in need through a collaboration with veteran nonprofits.

Wells had countless stories of customers who were going through hard times and found Mechanics of Faith.

One was months behind on rent and had nearly $2,000 in repair costs, but came to Mechanics of Faith and was able to spend just $200 for the same services.

“[Mechanics of Faith is] not out here trying to gouge people, because you'll see a lot of mechanic shops out here overcharging, especially women,” said one customer, Samantha, who called Wells and his staff a “godsend.”

Despite multiple different shops not being able to figure out what was wrong with her vehicle, Samantha noted that Wells did not give up on her car until he could fix it.

It’s not only about helping people with repairs, but also about “seeing people doing life together,” said Wells, reflecting on the tight knit community that has formed between Mechanics of Faith staff and its customers.

When staff members aren’t hard at work with repairs, they’re interacting with customers.

“Next thing you know, they're sitting at the picnic tables hanging out with the customer just laughing and having a good old time. That's what it's all about,” said Wells.

Some customers don’t have anybody, noted Wells, who recalled one woman and her son who used to bring a movie to watch at the shop, because they saw Wells and his staff as family.

Mechanics of Faith not only benefits the underserved, but also provides the staff with a chance at healing and recovery.

Shop Manager Tony and Lead Technician Danny were formerly incarcerated and lived in a recovery house. Before becoming full-time staff members, they served more than 900 volunteer hours with Mechanics of Faith this year.

Today, Danny lives on his own and Tony is a peer recovery specialist. Wells hopes to make peer recovery training a part of Mechanics of Faith in order to provide structure and support to those who are working to get back on their feet.

The Mechanics of Faith staff even visits members of the Chesapeake County Jail’s HARP program (Helping Addicts Recover Progressively), which has resulted in other people in recovery wanting to volunteer with Mechanics of Faith.

From answering the phones to auto repairs to talking with customers, Wells explained that there’s a job for everyone, regardless of experience.

“We're all going to work together. We're going to train you,” Wells said. “By the time you leave, you will know how to do just about everything.”

One example is Mechanics of Faith's Service Writer Jeff Grant who lives in the same recovery house as Tony. He used to work in Varina and would catch a ride with Danny and Tony who Ubered to the shop every day.

Grant started doing small jobs around the shop, but after seeing how much Wells and his crew were helping others, he began answering the phones, scheduling customers and running the office.

Grant recently got his license and drives Tony and Danny to work everyday in the company truck. Grant has spoken to members of the HARP program to tell them that there is hope and they can improve their lives, just like he did.

“I’ve seen struggle in all forms and all fashions,” said Grant, who has been in and out of jail much of his life.

When answering the calls of people who are going through hard times and in need of help, he is able to relate to them, because he has been in similar situations.

“It's a good feeling to be able to help somebody when you know there's not much help out there,” he said.

Community members will have the opportunity to come together and “do life” with others in the community at Mechanics of Faith’s Second Annual BBQ on July 29 from 3-6 p.m.

There will be bounce houses, food, show cars, a  raffle and speakers who will talk about how Mechanics of Faith helped them.

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For details or to donate, visit https://www.mechanicsoffaith.org.