​TRANSPORTATION FOR TRANSITION

Richard Preston of Fargo, owner of 7th Avenue Auto Salvage, purchases vehicles in need of repair, fixes them, and then donates them to the YWCA Cass Clay Women's Shelter and has been doing so for seven years. Over time, Richard estimates he's donated 10 to 12 cars to the women at the YWCA.

Richard, a Hillsboro, N.D. native, graduated from high school in Hillsboro and went on to college at North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton. He is married to Arlette Preston, a franchise owner for Home Instead Health Care and former Fargo City Commissioner.

Richard served on the YWCA’s Transitional Housing Committee approximately fifteen years ago. His ownership of a salvage yard and training in auto repair provided him with the skill set to help the YWCA. His connection with the shelter gave him the idea to begin donating significant time and parts to assist the YWCA residents who had vehicles that needed repairs.

About seven years ago, he also started donating cars that he repaired to women who were in need of transportation. Public transportation and taxis are not always the flexible means of transportation that the residents at the YWCA need for doctor's appointments, employment, and more.

In addition to his work with the YWCA, Richard's salvage yard provides space and vehicles for emergency safety training for the fire departments in Fargo and West Fargo, as well as the Air National Guard. Richard says that this this training "allows the employees to train with the equipment to extract victims from vehicles in near real-life situations."

The YWCA's website says: “Each woman who comes to our door is provided with the tools needed to transform her life. Without judgment, we offer safe shelter, food, clothing, childcare, education and employment services, health counseling, and transportation assistance on each woman’s personal journey to independence." We asked Richard how he started his donation of service and automobiles and how it fits with the YWCA's mission.

High Plains Reader: How many cars have you donated over the years?

Richard Preston: Somewhere between 10 and 12. When the YWCA calls with a resident who needs a vehicle, we find a car for her. Before we started donating cars, YWCA residents would bring their own vehicles out for repairs. Sometimes the condition of their cars was no better than ones we send to be crushed and recycled. That’s when I decided to start fixing up better cars for them as a donation.

HPR: Do you have a mechanic’s background? Do you like to fix things?

RP: I started out as a painter in one of the oldest body shops in Fargo. I wasn’t much of a mechanic but as a kid, I liked to tear things apart and put them back together. Originally I got into auto repair and over time evolved into selling used car parts.

I've always enjoyed the buying and selling process. I have been in the auto salvage business since 1982, starting out with four other partners. Two partners left early in the business development and I spent 25 years with two other partners. In 2003, I became sole owner. We recycle about 1500 cars each year which are crushed and every part of the vehicle is recycled. Gasoline from the vehicles is given to employees and the oil extracted from the cars is used to heat the buildings. The building is almost completely heated with waste oil – about 3500 gallons per year.

HPR: The YWCA's mission includes eliminating racism and empowering women. These cars help women get jobs and rise out of difficult situations. Talk about the importance of this mission in our community.

RP: What drove me to do this is the knowledge that there were women out there, with children, who found themselves in a very tough situation. In order for them to buy groceries, get to school, get to work, they needed dependable cars that would run. I just “fell” into this, but it’s been extremely satisfying to know that I am helping a family get stabilized. I have a daughter and a wife who are strong feminists and I have come to realize how empowered women build strong families and a strong community.

HPR: What gave you the idea to start doing this?

RP: I was invited by a YWCA staff member – Jennie Millerhagen – to join their Transitional Housing Committee. Since there were so many transportation needs, I brought the perspective of one who knows cars. At the beginning, I taught classes to the YWCA residents on how to do the maintenance work on their own cars (i.e. check the oil level and what to look for with basic maintenance). [Richard also notes that he now is working with Karen Carlson, YWCA Transitional Housing Director.]

HPR: Have you met and interacted with any of the women you have helped and, if so, can you tell us about that?

RP: Most of the time the recipients are not known, but I have had the opportunity to meet a few when they’ve come out for secondary repairs. Perhaps brakes need to be replaced; alternators or headlights need replacement, squeaks fixed. We do those repairs for no charge, so it lessens the cost for the women who are trying to get back on their feet. They are always tremendously grateful – lots of hugs!

YOU SHOULD KNOW:

The YWCA of Cass Clay has other opportunities for people to help them in their mission through volunteering, financial support, or donating needed items.

https://www.ywcacassclay.org/how-you-can-help