The Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) has embarked on an initiative to install new laundry machines across its schools, with the aim of tackling the persistent problem of chronic absenteeism among students. According to CBS News Detroit, the plan includes bringing washers and dryers to over 100 schools by the end of 2024. This move is seen as a practical solution to help children who might otherwise skip school due to a lack of clean clothing.
Melania Willis, a parent working as a public safety officer at Pershing High School, supports the program, having taken it upon herself to wash clothes for students without access to laundry facilities at home. "Some kids get picked at [and] made fun of because they smell," she told CBS News Detroit. Providing washing machines in schools offers a discreet way to support students in need and stave off bullying related to hygiene.
GE Appliances, in a partnership with the DPSCD Foundation, serves as the supplier of these much-needed appliances. Kerrie Mitchell, President and CEO of the DPSCD Foundation, emphasized the commitment to serving students more holistically. "Ensuring access to essential resources like laundry facilities goes beyond convenience; it's about providing dignity, fostering self-esteem, and removing barriers to education," Mitchell stated in a ClickOnDetroit report.
To date, half of the facilities have been equipped with the machines, and the remaining schools are anticipated to have them by the end of next year. Besides laundry services, these "health hubs" also offer other essentials like toiletries, food, and clothing, in a comprehensive effort to address the needs of DPSCD students, funded by various philanthropies, including those of Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham. "It’s not every day that a company comes saying they want to do something great and do it for the entire district," Mitchell explained to WXYZ.
Data from Michigan School Data noted by WXYZ indicates a slight decrease in chronic absenteeism within the district, suggesting that the initiative could be helping. From 66.1% of students in 2022 to 65.8% in 2023, this signifies a potentially positive trend.
