Tool School for Women+: Basic Home Education and Maintenance

In this class, students will gain a basic understanding of how a home works, why it does or doesn't, and how it can get better. The class will begin with a primer on the exterior or shell of the home, reviewing components, identifying potential problem areas, and discussing potential simple and effective solutions. Next, the class will work its way through the home and the areas of greatest concern - the kitchen and bathroom.

If time allows, there will also be a discussion of heating/cooling systems, basic plumbing and electrical, etc.

Women+ classes are intended for women, including cisgender and transgender women, as well as transgender men and nonbinary people who feel comfortable learning in a space focused on women’s experiences. These classes provide a supportive environment to ask questions, learn new skills, and build confidence using tools, especially for those who may not have had many opportunities to work with them before. If this class isn’t the right fit for you, we also offer many workshops that are open to everyone. See our full schedule at seattlereconomy.org.

About the instructor, Aileen Gagney: Aileen is an architect by trade, a former general contractor, home inspector, and pest inspector. She is also a Healthy Home Specialist and is Green-Advantage Certified. She has been teaching people about their homes for over 40 years. She spent 15 years as the Director of the Master Home Environmentalist Program and, for the past 12, as the Senior Technical Advisor and Trainer for a Tribal Healthy Homes non-profit. She helps people understand how their homes work by providing simple, effective advice and solutions to make homes safe, comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient. Personally, she has spent the last 29 years renovating a 1916 Ballard craftsman into a net zero home - reducing energy consumption from $3100/yr to $0!

Our sliding scale for classes helps to reduce barriers for participation while retaining sufficient income for Seattle REconomy, which owns and operates the NE Seattle and Shoreline tool libraries. Please choose the level that best fits your family’s income. If cost is a concern, we encourage you to contact us at [email protected] to discuss options.

ACCESSIBILITY:

• The venue is wheelchair accessible and has an all-gender restroom. The restroom is ADA compliant.
• Non-English and ASL interpreters are not provided at our classes and events, however attendees are welcome to bring their own interpreters.
• Please contact us with any accessibility notes or requests.

GETTING THERE:

• By transit: Served by King County Metro bus Rapid Ride E Line on Aurora Ave N and N 165th.
• By bike: The venue is located one block west of the Interurban Trail. Shoreline Light Rail stations are each about 2 miles away. A bicycle rack is available outside the building.
• Car parking: There is an asphalt parking lot that fits up to 20 cars. There is one ADA van accessible parking space with an access aisle.

Children are welcome at some classes with their parent or guardian on a case-by-case basis, either as a student or as an observer. If you would like your child to attend a class with you, please email [email protected] with their age and experience. Let us know if they will be a student or an observer, the name and date of the class, and we will determine if it is appropriate.

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