Whirlpool’s unique ‘laundry in schools’ program, aimed at putting kids into cleaner clothes, is being expanded to an international scale. After success in US schools, Whirlpool is adding Columbia in South America to the CareCounts effort. We learn more in a release from Whirlpool:
The program, which launched in the U.S. in 2015, was designed to remove one small but important barrier to attendance – access to clean clothes – by installing washers and dryers in select schools. Since its inception, the program has contributed to decreases in chronic absenteeism, and increases in attendance rates, grades and engagement levels among participating at-risk elementary students1.
The expansion comes off the heels of Whirlpool brand’s collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto, the all-new film now playing in theaters, that tells the story of a Colombian family living in a magical house. Through the film, it is clear that a touch of magic can play a meaningful role in caregiving, both in the home and beyond. Whirlpool brand believes in the immense power of small acts of care and how a touch of magic can help make caregiving easier, which is why the brand is excited to bring the Care Counts™ laundry program to families across Colombia.
“Introducing the Care Counts™ laundry program by Whirlpool brand to an international market has been a hope of ours from the start,” said Laura Fletty, communications manager, Whirlpool brand. “We are ecstatic to begin the careful and thoughtful growth of this beloved program outside of the United States, with the goal of providing access to clean clothes to schoolchildren on a global scale.”
Whirlpool Corporation’s Andean Region Director, Santiago Nuñez Castro added, “We are excited to get this program up and running in Colombia. Care Counts™ is something we’ve been wanting to bring to our region for quite some time, as we’re confident it will make a significant impact in the South American region. We’re very grateful the collaboration with Whirlpool brand U.S and Disney’s Encanto has enabled us to make this dream a reality.”
The Care Counts™ laundry program’s expansion has been a goal of the Whirlpool brand team since it was started six years ago. The U.S. program now serves 134 schools and students across 36 states. Whirlpool brand’s U.S. team will collaborate closely with counterparts in the Latin American region to introduce the program to several schools in Colombia.
To learn more about the Care Counts™ Laundry Program by Whirlpool brand, visit https://www.whirlpool.com/care-counts.
