Community Laundry Co-op: Community Building “one load at a time”

In October 2009, the Community Laundry Co-operative (CLC) celebrated its 10th anniversary of providing affordable laundry services to low-income residents of Ottawa. Located in Heartwood House, the co-op has created a sense of community for its members, providing a vital network of support to go along with every clean load of laundry.

Founded by the Centretown Community Health Centre (CCHC), McLeod Stewarton United Church and First United Church, CLC also celebrated receiving its official status as both an incorporated co-operative and a registered charity in 2009. The Ottawa Community Foundation is proud to have been a supporter of the co-op since its early start-up phase, and to have witnessed first-hand how it’s been able to evolve its business model with community support.

Boasting over 300 active members, the Community Laundry Co-op has developed a successful, growing community economic development program that gives its members a chance to develop job skills by providing contract laundry services to community clients. A definitive example of what a CED program is all about, the co-op is providing economic opportunities to its local community, while improving social conditions in a sustainable manner.

Commercial laundry services are now being contracted by a variety of local organizations, including the Jewish Community Centre (Congregation Beth Shalom), First United Church, Carlington Community and Health Services and Somerset West Community Health Centre. The largest contract by far, however, is the one with The Ottawa Mission which keeps 19 CED trainees busy working on the contract five days per week.

“The CED program provides our members with the opportunity to develop work experience and life skills, while building self-esteem and earning a little extra money at the same time,” says Marianela Gonzalez-Santamaria, CLC’s Coordinator. “While many of the members are low-income individuals who have difficulty finding employment, the laundry co-op gives them the opportunity to participate in a mentoring program, while contributing to the Co-op and the wider community.”

“We are so grateful for the support of the Community Foundation over the years,” said Marianela. “Last year’s grant allowed us to maintain our laundry services to marginalized community members while simultaneously expanding this vital community economic development initiative. Business is really booming now and we look forward to further developing CLC’s role in community-building, ‘one load at a time’.”