'Care Counts' is the name of an initiative from Whirlpool that involved stationing washing machines in dryers in schools in response to the fact that "thousands of kids miss school just because they don’t have clean clothes to wear."
In order to improve school attendance, Whirlpool took it upon themselves to provide laundry-washing facilities in a school, so that kids are able to fill a large bag full of clothing and have their items washed at school. Across 17 schools scattered across two school districts, 2,300 loads were washed, helping to reduce the overall days of school missed by many students.
Donations to further the reach of Care Counts can be made through the campaign website and are collected through the Whirlpool Collective Impact Fund, which is a public charity.
In-School Washing Machines
Whirlpool's 'Care Counts' Program Increases School Attendance
Trend Themes
1. In-school Laundry Services - Schools could partner with laundry service providers to help increase attendance rates and convenience for families.
2. Community Corporate Social Responsibility Programs - Corporate entities can partner with schools and other organizations to develop programs to improve education-based attendance challenges.
3. Education and Technology Integration - Using technology to address the needs of education, like laundry facilities and reducing absenteeism, can help schools better meet their students' basic needs.
Industry Implications
1. Education - Providing necessary amenities, like laundry facilities, can help schools create a more equitable and conducive learning environment for all students.
2. Retail - Developing technology and facilities that are geared towards meeting the needs of educational attendance issues can be a potential market for retail and service providers.
3. Corporate Social Responsibility - Businesses looking to make a positive impact on communities can use initiatives like Whirlpool's 'Care Counts' as inspiration for CSR programs that provide solutions to local community problems.