A serious concern regarding school attendance for low-income children is a dirty wardrobe. Some students in Queens–in Astoria to be specific–are getting help with alleviating that concern.
Thirty families of students who attend P.S. 171 will be given coupons twice a month to redeem for 30 pounds of wash, dry, and fold. The free service is a collaboration between the school, nearby 14th Street Laundry, Zone 126, and Hydro-Quebec.
“We think it’s a great program,” Angelo Palavros, co-owner of the laundromat, told Patch. “As for charity and helping the community, it’s the first step in the right direction.”
“Feeling good about yourself is what’s going to help our children continue to grow,” P.S. 171 Principal Laura Kavourias said to ABC7. “Academically, socially and emotionally. Many times, our children don’t come to school because they don’t have anything to wear.”
“We’re proud to be part of this community that comes together to help each other in times of need,” said Hydro-Quebec COO Serge Abergel in a statement. “Getting a good education is fundamental to child development and we’re happy we can help families address a major cause of chronic absenteeism.”
“Revolutionary initiatives come in all shapes and sizes, from making Queens a global leader in clean energy to ensuring even a handful of Queens students have clean clothes for school each day. The World’s Borough is deeply grateful to the team behind the Champlain Hudson Power Express for making both a priority,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.
Giving students more equitable access to laundry is not new: P.S. 132 in Washington Heights tackled the same issue in 2020 by actually installing a washer and dryer in the school.
