A solidarity garage is born in Brianza, a car repair shop that offers work and integration.

Coffee and a croissant while waiting for your car to be serviced. It's not just a gesture of indulgence for customers, but a true manifesto. The Brugherio cooperative garage, in fact, places customer care among its guiding values, along with hospitality, inclusion, social utility, and quality service. The cooperative auto repair shop is certainly more than just a simple auto repair shop; it's much more. 

READ ALSO: A bicycle workshop opens in a building confiscated from the mafia.

SOLIDARITY GARAGE

Moving among the lifts, checking the brakes and adjusting the tires, changing the oil, and checking the engine revs, are three special young men and their workshop manager, Giovanni. The three young mechanics are people with cognitive disabilities, requiring special tutoring and dedicated training. Although, as their tutor and boss states, there's no difference between them and an able-bodied worker, the only thing that matters is the need to manage the boys' emotions with a little more care.

SOLIDARITY CAR REPAIR

The cooperative and solidarity garage is the first experiment in Italy, born from the initiative of the Coopwork cooperative, which has been committed for years to integrating people with cognitive disabilities, low levels of education, or difficulties finding employment, who therefore require specific and dedicated support. The goal is to break away from the cooperatives' traditional sectors (cleaning, green space maintenance, agri-food) and continue to provide employment and career opportunities. 

But don't think of it as a handicap of any kind. The students, all very young, are punctual, precise, passionate, and extremely dedicated, which can become a negative aspect of their apprenticeship. Also because, sometimes, they forget to take breaks or rest for a moment. 

READ MORE: Over 2 people with disabilities, mostly autistic, are caring for themselves by working in the fields. The stories of an Italian miracle: social farming (photos)

COOPERATIVE GARAGE

The solidarity workshop has just celebrated its first year, reflecting the values ​​it has championed ever since the Coopwork cooperative decided to take over this garage, an integral part of the car dealership that closed it down. And it has no intention of stopping, having helped combat the stereotypes and prejudices associated with intellectual disabilities.

Next goal? To break down another stubborn stereotype: women and engines, by promoting an apprenticeship project for girls who aren't afraid to get their overalls dirty with engine oil and brake grease.

(Featured image accompanying the text taken from the Coopwork Social Cooperative website )

SPECIAL STORIES WITH SPECIAL PEOPLE:

• PizzAut, a pizzeria in Milan entirely run by autistic kids. There's no rush, no prejudice.
• Adopt a chicken: the first social chicken coop experiment opens near Imola. Inclusive and green.
• Perpetua, the eco-friendly pencil made in Italy from recycled graphite, which offers jobs to the disabled.
• RaB, Milan's literary café that helps disabled people, gives them jobs, and creates community.
• The Ethical Hotel opens: a job placement experiment for young people with Down syndrome.