The SHIFT Garage in northern Sioux Falls aren’t just repairing vehicles, they’re trying to change lives

SHIFT Garage is a nonprofit vehicle repair shop

What began as a ministry through Fountain Springs Church is now a nonprofit organization standing on its own – growing every year in size and demand. The Shift Garage in Rapid City is helping customers with more than just car problems, they’re trying to change lives.

Joe Smith is an ordained minister who considers himself a car guy. He moved here with the vision of starting Shift Garage– a dream of his for a while.

Smith, Director, Shift Garage, says, “I’m super passionate about cars, so when the idea came along to work with cars and help people at the same time, I immediately was in love with it and so now that’s my job and it’s amazing.”

SHIFT Garage is a nonprofit volunteer-based vehicle repair shop at 3632 N. Casco Ave. that charges low-income customers at cost for replacements and repairs. They also accept donated vehicles, fix them up and sell them for a low cost to families.

While the nonprofit started in Rapid City about a decade ago, Smith recently expanded to a second location in Sioux Falls late last year.

The goal is to help people get their vehicles up and running so they can return to their lives easier, he said. Overall, such a simple fix can make an impact on generational poverty, he added.

“A car breaking down shuts down your whole system when you’re living paycheck to paycheck,” Smith said. “You have to make a decision on financing and signing your life away to simply drive to work.”

If Shift does repair the car, recipients must meet a requirement, by either taking a budget class or car maintenance class- education for down the road. To help pay for the repairs, customers can put in time as the shop helps with car detailing, which is a new service they offer to the public.

“We just want them to have a little sweat equality into it, to kind of have earned it and that’s really for them really more than it is for us. If they earn it, they treat it more as a gift, and they are able to accomplish more – we’ve just seen better results from it.”

While there are plenty of nonprofits to address food and housing in the Sioux Falls area, reliable transportation needs more attention, he added.

Other nonprofits in Sioux Falls addressing transportation issues include Sioux Empire Wheels to Work, which matches single-parent families with donated and repaired vehicles, and Project CAR, which offers free car rides.

“They can’t get groceries, get to work, or get their kids to daycare without a car,” Smith said. “And some solutions, like Lyft or Uber, are more expensive; Sioux Falls’ public transportation can be unreliable, and your friends are only going to keep picking up the phone for a couple of weeks.”

Smith is fast to point out that SHIFT isn’t competing with other mechanics or garages in Sioux Falls, adding that he makes plenty of referrals on issues his volunteers “shouldn’t mess with.” Volunteers are not certified mechanics, just simply people who want to use their time and skills for a cause.

He plans to do more in Sioux Falls to address the growing need in the area soon and is looking for more volunteers and people to donate vehicles.

To qualify for SHIFT car repair, potential clients must fill out an application online demonstrating their need for the low-cost repair. While board members review all applications, the program focuses on helping single parents or low-income families.

For those interested in donating a vehicle, they can contact SHIFT online. The garage accepts vehicle donations and can provide a tax-deductible receipt. Monetary donations can also be made online.
Volunteers are also welcome to join the team. Those interested can apply online.

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