By Callum Ludwig
The Dignity Program at the ADRA Redwood Community Care Centre has received a welcome boost, with a new commercial washer and dryer installed on Thursday 11 July.
The Warburton Advancement League (WAL) raised $6000 from a combination of a $1330 grant from the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise (UYCE), donations from local businesses, some other small grants and the hiring out of their community bus to fundraise for the appliances.
Redwood Community Centre Manager Kate Barratt said access to clean clothes and bedding is absolutely vital.
“We had real trouble in fitting in more than one person’s load of washing for washing and drying because it would take up to two and a half hours, so this will give us the capacity to get maybe three even to four people’s washing done each day,” she said.
“This will include our own as well because we go through so many towels with our shower too, we used to have to chuck out blankets if we couldn’t wash them as well, so it’s an environmental bonus and they’re going to be better on water and power as well which will save us some money.”
The Dignity Program is a drop-in facility at the Redwood Community Care Centre providing showers, washing facilities, fresh clothes if needed and other amenities to people experiencing homelessness or financial stress.
Ms Barratt said she’s happy that there won’t be massive lines to get in to wash clothes anymore.
“We have people that are sleeping rough using them but we also have people that perhaps don’t have the facilities at home or don’t have running water or power that use them too,” she said.
“Sometimes people use them because they can’t afford their electricity or even water bills as well,”
“We do ask for a $2.50 per load donation to go towards our utilities, however, people can always chat to us if they can’t afford that.”
The new washer and dryer can hold a 10kg load and complete a cycle in only 30 minutes.
Vice President of the Warburton Advancement League David Pratt, who was instrumental in the initiative to upgrade the washer and dryer, said they will also be able to wash doonas and sleeping bags.
“A lot of people just don’t want to ask ‘Can I?’ because the face of a homeless person could be anyone standing in this room,” he said.
“But if you’re wanting to know what can you do to help your community, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a financial donation, if you’re donating your time or donating assistance in some of these programs, you’ll get more out than you’ll ever put in.”
