That looks similar to my White De Luxe Zig Zag machine.
I don't know what you mean by "engage the stitch", but those two white buttons on the right side of the bed control the feed dogs, the knob at the top center adjusts the stitch width, and the knob on the middle right controls the stitch length. The button with the "R" on it is the reverse stitch button.
The machine takes high shank presser feet, which should be pretty easy to find.
As for care, if everything works, you just need to keep it oiled.