Whirlpool’s Care Counts initiative has made a remarkable impact on school attendance by addressing a seemingly small but significant issue: access to clean clothes. When we consider middle school students struggling with attendance, it’s easy to point fingers at parents or the children themselves, feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. However, what if the real solution is as simple as providing them with clean outfits to wear?
Last year, Whirlpool launched the Care Counts Program, donating sixteen pairs of washers and dryers to schools in St. Louis and Fairfield, California. These schools opened their doors to students facing attendance challenges, allowing them to bring in their laundry during school hours. The results were nothing short of extraordinary: over 90% of the participating students improved their attendance, at-risk kids gained nearly two extra weeks of classroom time, and each student completed around 50 loads of laundry at school. This year, Whirlpool is set to expand the program to an additional twenty schools across five districts.
While laundry might seem trivial when compared to broader social issues like economic hardship and systemic racism, for a child already facing numerous obstacles, having clean clothes can be a crucial factor in their willingness to attend school. Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a former principal at Oakview Elementary in St. Louis, discovered that many parents struggled to afford laundry or coordinate trips to laundromats. After discussing these challenges, she reached out to Whirlpool, which found that one in five students in the U.S. faces difficulties in finding clean clothes.
In an interview with Today Parents, eighth-grade teacher Jamie Collins from Fairfield shared a poignant story about a previously disengaged student who transformed after the launch of the program. “He began to show enthusiasm for coming to school and was eager to participate in class discussions. He no longer felt like an outsider,” she explained.
Students grappling with attendance issues are often labeled as “troubled” or “lazy.” Those who are more fortunate might not comprehend the struggles of families who prioritize essential needs over something as seemingly simple as laundry. Sometimes, parents working tirelessly to provide for their children must forgo less critical tasks, like spending hours at a laundromat.
Kudos to Dr. Mitchell and Whirlpool for their thoughtful approach in addressing this issue, providing students with the confidence they need to step into the classroom. For further information on related topics, check out this excellent resource on treating infertility, and explore insights on home insemination in our other blogs.
In summary, Whirlpool’s Care Counts Program is a powerful reminder of how addressing basic needs can lead to significant positive outcomes in education. By providing laundry facilities in schools, they have not only increased attendance rates but have also helped students feel more confident and included.