Got broken electronics, a shoe that needs mending, or maybe a mangled umbrella? Bring it to the NYC Fixers Collective, where they’ll help you fix your object.

The key phrase, of course, is “help you fix.” Rather than just serving as repairmen/repairwomen, the collective’s founders believe in empowering individuals to take ownership of their own objects, including the repair process, and they act more as technical experts and facilitators. This way, says master fixer John Murphy, “you have a relationship with the object beyond what you had originally. You know what’s inside, you know what pieces are in there, and you fix it.”

Once a month, you can bring your broken electronics, household goods, and even clothing, to the Proteus Gowanus gallery space in Brooklyn, where the fixers hold a three-hour fixing session. Payment is by donation; the fixers suggest a minimum of $5. The money covers the cost of supplies, but the fixers also eventually hope to rent their own space and expand the hours of operation.

Watch the video to hear some of the fixers describe why they do what they do, and watch some “fixees” talk about the experience of working with the fixers.

New York Fixers Collective – Medium Cut Version from Julian Dunn on Vimeo.