In a remarkable initiative, Whirlpool has tackled a seemingly minor issue that significantly impacts school attendance—access to clean clothes. Many may quickly attribute attendance problems among middle schoolers to parental neglect or student apathy; however, the reality could be as straightforward as the need for fresh clothing.
The Whirlpool Care Counts Program, launched in 2016, made a considerable impact by placing laundry machines in select schools. The initiative began with the donation of seventeen washing and drying machines to districts in St. Louis and Fairfield, California. Students struggling with attendance were invited to wash their clothes during school hours, leading to astonishing results: a 90% increase in attendance among participating students, with at-risk youth attending nearly two additional weeks of school and each student completing about 50 loads of laundry on-site.
This year, Whirlpool is expanding the program to twenty additional schools across five more districts. While some may underestimate the significance of laundry in the broader context of challenges such as economic disparities and systemic discrimination, the issue of clean clothing can be a crucial factor for a young child feeling vulnerable in a school environment.
Insights from Educators
Dr. Emily Foster, a former principal at Maplewood Middle School, discovered through conversations with parents that many struggled to find the time or money to do laundry. She reached out to Whirlpool, who conducted its own research revealing that one in five students in the U.S. faces challenges in finding clean attire for school. This statistic is staggering.
One teacher from Fairfield, Mr. James Turner, shared a poignant story about a student who had become disengaged from school. After the program’s initiation, the student became more enthusiastic about attending classes and actively participated, no longer feeling like an outsider.
Understanding the Barriers
It’s all too common for students with attendance issues to be labeled as lazy or troubled. Those of us who have never faced such difficulties may struggle to empathize with the reality that something as basic as laundry could be a barrier to education. Parents focused on providing the essentials often have to forego other tasks, like dedicating time to travel to laundromats.
Kudos to Dr. Foster and Whirlpool for addressing this need and providing a solution that fosters confidence in students, encouraging them to attend school.
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Conclusion
In summary, Whirlpool’s innovative program demonstrates how addressing a fundamental need can lead to significant improvements in student attendance. By understanding the challenges many families face, we can create supportive environments that empower children to thrive in their educational journeys.