ReStore Certified Appliances

The ReCap Story

Since opening in 2000, the ReStore has taken donations of used appliances and sold them at a nominal cost to the public. Profits from used appliance sales go to support Habitat for Humanity's traditional home building programs. To provide increased financial support for affordable home construction and to provide greater value to ReStore customers, the ReStore Certified Appliance project, or ReCap, was introduced in June, 2009.

In the beginning, used appliances were sold "as is." Both the customer and the Restore took a risk. With the launch of ReCap, all appliances are processed through ReStore's new Appliance Service Center. Once an appliance is processed through the ReCap program, the unit receives a serial number and is warranted for 6 months.

A Recap Appliance Undergoes a 4-Step Program:

Donating Used Appliances to ReCap

Job Training as a Ministry

Minister Ron Cross, of Metro Central Church of Christ, performs his pastoral duties as most would expect, but he has added a very different twist to his job description by taking on the job of Appliance Technician Trainer for Metro ReStores. To Ron Cross, being a busy Pastor caring for the souls of his flock is one thing, but teaching technical job skills to help others gain decent employment is just as important. The old saying "Give a man fish and he eats today. Teach a man to fish, and he eats for life," well describes Minister Cross's efforts.

ReCap Appliance Technician Training

The ReCap program is intended to increase value to Metro Restore's customers and to increase financial support for Habitat for Humanity home building programs. However, job training is another very important element of the program. Individuals employed by Metro ReStores Appliance Service Center receive extensive classroom and on-the-job training to qualify them as appliance service technicians.

With financial support from Hudson-Webber, a Detroit Community Development Foundation, Metro ReStores has contracted with experienced home appliance service technicians, a retired Wayne State University Professor and a local Community College to provide practical and theoretical training and State Certifications required to handle certain controlled materials.

It is expected that Appliance Service Center employees will move on to other employment when their training is complete. Most businesses would view this turn-over as a problem, Metro ReStores intends that job training be another plus from the ReCap program.