Repair Bank News Brief

events
Written By Sara Dandy

A lot can happen in three months — In addition to the Repair Days, group events, deliveries, and collection events, here are a few highlights from this winter!

New Furniture Drop-off Location!

Many people have furniture they would love to donate to the Repair Bank, but it’s not always easy to lug it to our SoDo workshop. If you live in the north Seattle area, traffic woes can make your good deed of furniture donation take well over an hour, depending on the time of day.

Our friends at the Shoreline Tool Library are here to help! They are now accepting donations of certain furniture items on our behalf:

  • Narrow dressers (less than 5ft wide)

  • Coffee tables (smaller than 24″x36″ or 25″ in diameter)

  • Nightstands and side tables

  • Dining tables for 2-4 people

  • Upholstery fabric

As with our usual policies, we cannot accept water-damaged or broken particleboard items.

Reducing More Than Just Furniture Waste

We aren’t the only repair/reuse organization benefiting from this program! The Shoreline Tool Library is also accepting donations of children’s goods for Kidvantage and art supplies for Seattle ReCreative. This program is made possible thanks to a very generous grant from King County Solid Waste’s RE+ program.

The tool library is powered by Seattle REconomy, a local nonprofit that promotes an economy of reuse and sharing through tool libraries, classes, and a reuse store. Visit the Redistribution Partnerships page on their website for details of the program and to find out how to donate items: find out more

Read more about Seattle REconomy in our Partner Spotlight!

Women Innovators in Climate & Sustainability Take the Stage at UW

In January, our very own Founder & Executive Director, Xenia Dolovova, took the spotlight at an inspiring panel hosted by the Buerk Center for Entrepreneurship at the UW Foster School of Business. The event, part of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, celebrated women trailblazing paths in climate, environment, and sustainability—and the energy in the room was electric.

The Pioneering & Impressive Lineup

Xenia was joined by an incredible lineup of changemakers who are reimagining our future through everything from circular design to community action and climate tech:

From left to right: Swanson, Banaynal dela Cruz, Spade, Dolovova, Escarez, & Achanta

The discussion was skillfully moderated by Amy Jean Swanson, Co-Founder & CEO of Ultropia, MBA candidate, and Entrepreneur in Residence at UW, a powerhouse in her own right.

Lessons in Leadership & Humility

The conversation was anything but surface-level. Each speaker shared deeply personal stories — how their ideas took shape, what fueled their missions, and how they found strength through setbacks. From moments of doubt to triumphs they didn’t always see coming, the panelists painted a real and relatable picture of entrepreneurship.

One message echoed loud and clear: persistence beats perfection. Whether it’s 90 rejections before one “yes,” or the courage to ask for help, success rarely comes without resilience. And humility? These women had it in abundance.

The room was buzzing during the Q&A, as students and attendees asked thoughtful questions about pushing through obstacles, staying motivated, and making impact with purpose. It was a reminder that the next generation of climate leaders is not only listening, but ready to act.

Huge thanks to the Buerk Center team for creating space for bold, honest conversations and lifting up the voices shaping a more sustainable, equitable world.

From Workshop to Real-World Impact: The Northwest School Joins Repair Bank for Hands-On Learning

This team of students learned to navigate the confusing assembly instructions for this platform bed (successfully!)

Tucked into Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, The Northwest School is known for more than just academic excellence. As a private, independent college preparatory school serving grades 6–12, it's a place where critical thinking, creativity, and community responsibility come together. Through its Service Learning Program, students spend the year exploring complex social and environmental issues—and partnering directly with local organizations working to address them.

This year, the theme for 9th and 12th graders is housing—a topic that aligns closely with the mission of Furniture Repair Bank. While securing a place to live is a milestone, for many in our community, the next challenge is furnishing it. That’s where we step in, providing comfort and dignity through restored furniture that helps transform a house or apartment into a true home.

Making a House a Home

Over two days in February and March, we welcomed four student groups from The Northwest School—each one bringing curiosity, creativity, and a readiness to learn. (A couple of groups had to miss out in February due to Seattle’s signature snow surprise—but we’ll hope to catch them next time!)

After a warm welcome, mission overview, and all-important safety briefing, students suited up in their very stylish Repair Bank aprons and jumped right into the work.

Broken into task-based teams, they got hands-on experience with:

  • 🪑 Sanding and staining

  • 🎨 Surface prep and painting

  • 🧵 Upholstery deconstruction and reassembly

  • 🛠️ Decoding notoriously confusing furniture instructions

These weren’t just crafts—they were lessons in problem-solving, attention to detail, and the satisfaction that comes from turning something broken into something beautiful and useful.

Real Questions, Real Impact

Every session wrapped with an open Q&A, and let us tell you—these students didn’t hold back. They asked thoughtful questions about where our furniture comes from, how clients receive it, and how nonprofit organizations like ours are funded and sustained. One session ended in a bit of a rush (thanks, punctual school buses!), but the curiosity and engagement left a lasting impression.

Two of the four groups of restoration apprentices!

Investing in the Next Generation of Changemakers

It was an honor to be part of The Northwest School’s Service Learning Program. Our team loves sharing our skills and our story with the next generation—and we’re always impressed by the passion, insight, and care these students bring.

We’re already looking forward to next year. Until then, we’ll keep sanding, painting, and assembling—with plenty of heart.

See you at Furniture Repair Bank!


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Sara Dandy
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