The Halle Fix-It-Hub has finalized its new schedule, with Oct. 2, 2025, as the first clinic this semester where students can get help repairing what's broken.
One member of the repair team that Thursday will be Sydney Schimmel, a previous student repair coach who said she is ready to return and share her expertise.
“I gained confidence in my skills just because somebody needed help, and I was the only one able to help them,” Schimmel said.
At the Halle Fix-It-Hub, Eastern community members have the opportunity to bring in damaged items and receive the needed guidance, working alongside coaches, to repair those items themselves.
The coaches are ready to help with repairs for bikes, toys, electronics, clothing, and more. The clinic is scheduled from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Eastern's Halle Library. The Oct. 2 event is the first of four scheduled for the fall semester.
Schimmel specializes in jewelry and sewing repairs; however, she said, it didn’t begin that way. Instead, a need created an opportunity for growth.
“I told them I don’t know how to sew," Schimmel said. "I only knew one stitch, but I ended up using that one stitch to fix it."
Schimmel has a long background in creative expression. Majoring in art and psychology with a minor in creative writing, she also has an art business. Free Sun Spirit LLC is her 5-year-old business that specializes in jewelry, digital art and woodwork.
Actively trying new mediums, she said she wants to continue making jewelry and poetry as she works toward becoming a spiritual life coach and massage therapist. The Halle Fix-It Hub events have become another outlet for her to explore new skills.
“I’ve gotten better at sewing through trial and error, realizing that it actually worked more often than not,” Schimmel said.
Schimmel has been a coach since Halle Fix-It-Hub’s events began more than a year ago, on Feb. 18, 2024. She encourages more students to participate. All of the events are approved for learning beyond the classroom credits, group three.
“I know that everyone has a hole in something or a zipper that needs fixing,” Schimmel said.
All Fix-It-Hub events are held in the Halle Creative Studio, room 115. Most clinics include a mix of three, student and librarian repair coaches available to help. Due to varying skillsets, Schimmel said, whenever she wasn’t able to help a participant, another coach was.
“It’s a resource that not many people know about and could really be beneficial for a lot of students," Schimmel said. "I really like the Fix-It-Hubs because it reduces waste, the cost of buying things new, and you don’t have to pay someone to fix it."
The Halle Fix-It-Hub is continually looking for more repair coaches with different areas of expertise. The sign-up sheet is available on its website.
Future Halle Fix-It-Hub Event Dates
- Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025
- Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025
- Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025
All events are open to students, faculty, and staff.
The Halle Fix-It Hub is a clinic where coaches help others repair what's broken, from sewing on buttons to replacing cell phone screens.
