Let me introduce you to Faithful Fixers. It is our Native-sponsored program initiative with support from a Sabbath School group at the Pleasant Valley Adventist Church in Oregon, where skilled laborers work alongside indigenous youth to learn skills in the trades and promote civic pride so that they can, in turn, work on projects in their own neighborhoods.
In summer 2025, Faithful Fixers had the privilege of working on what is now the new Warm Springs Youth Center. Volunteers helped lay down fresh floor paint and install a mini-split AC unit, but the real impact went far beyond the upgrades.
Skilled laborers worked side by side with local young adults, teaching them how to handle flooring, glue application, maintenance and care. Together, they created a unique design that reflects traditional basket-weaving patterns from their culture, turning the floor itself into a piece of art that honors their heritage.
The youth center is already becoming a hub of learning and growth. Training seminars have begun, offering instruction in filmography, crafting and even entrepreneurship with a t-shirt printing machine. Young people are not only gaining valuable life skills, but they are also learning how to launch small businesses and dream about future opportunities. These hands-on experiences are opening doors for a new generation to see themselves as capable creators and contributors within their community.
Faithful Fixers’ vision continues to extend beyond the youth center. The next project will be renovating a home for a family whose husband recently became a double amputee. By widening spaces and adapting the house for wheelchair accessibility, the team hopes to drastically improve his quality of life. At the same time, each project is approached as an opportunity to engage young adults, equipping them with practical knowledge and confidence to apply those skills in their own homes and neighborhoods.
Looking ahead, we are seeking out five more projects on the Warm Springs Reservation that can serve as training grounds for young people. Partnering with Walla Walla University, a tool library is also being developed so that newly learned skills can be put into action with the right resources. The impact of this work is just beginning to unfold, but the vision is clear: empower young Native adults with skills, strengthen families and build a future where the Warm Springs community continues to flourish.
