By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — A popular Huntsville program is giving women and girls the chance to become more confident behind the wheel — not by driving, but by learning what to do when something goes wrong.
Girls Garage, offered by Huntsville Parks & Recreation, returns this fall with three free Saturday sessions at a new location, the Johnson Legacy Center.
Open to participants ages 15 and older, the hands-on program teaches basic car-care skills that can help drivers handle common roadside and maintenance situations with greater confidence.
Participants will learn how to check oil levels, jumpstart a battery, change a tire and perform other basic vehicle-care tasks with guidance from Parks & Recreation staff and the City of Huntsville Fleet Department.
Sessions are scheduled for Sept. 12, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Johnson Legacy Center, 6001 Cecil Fain Drive.
“Girls Garage” is designed for all skill levels, including participants who have never worked on a vehicle before.
Huntsville Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett said the program has received positive feedback from previous participants and that moving to a new location will give more residents an opportunity to take part.
The program also carries a practical message: basic automotive knowledge can save time, reduce stress and help drivers make more informed decisions when dealing with vehicle problems.
There is no cost to attend, but space is limited and advance registration is required through Huntsville Parks & Recreation.
For women and girls interested in gaining practical independence, Girls Garage offers a one-hour introduction to skills that may prove useful long after the class ends.