SAL Auto – Car Repair With Heart

by Val Larsen

“It takes a village” is a saying we are all familiar with. The nonprofit, Serve A Little was founded in 2009, by Matthew Nalywaiko, with the idea that every community has needs, and people with abilities to meet those needs. The nonprofit grew from an organization that focused on the needs of individuals in their homes; replacing water heaters, fixing rotted out floors and bathrooms, putting new roofs on houses, etc. to Auto repair with the goal of meeting the needs of a neglected segment of our society, single mothers.

“I did not set out to open an automotive business,” says Matthew. “However, anyone who has ever worked for or ran a nonprofit can tell you that the one thing you always have to be doing is seeking out funding, and this drove me crazy. There were times we were not able to help some of these single mothers simply because we did not have the money to buy the auto parts. That is when I had the idea of trying to build a self-sustaining nonprofit, and that is what SAL Auto is designed to be. We are a fully functioning automotive repair shop open to the general public with all of the proceeds from every job we do going directly to working on low-income single mother’s vehicles who are either working, enrolled in a job training program, and/or going to school to further their education and secure employment. Basically, the more customers we get walking through our doors, the more single mothers we are able to help.” I want to make a note here that Matthew takes no pay from the shop.

Sonoma County resident, Bill Patterson, the head mechanic at SAL Auto brings over 25 years of experience to the business. My husband and I used his services back when he was a roving mechanic and then when he had his shop near Santa Rosa Avenue and now at SAL Auto. He is a kind soul who has never tried to give us what we don’t need.

Bringing your automotive needs to SAL Auto, gives you the assurance of a very good deal on the repairs well done and the satisfaction that you are an important part of serving the village. That’s a powerful way to live.