CommunityWorks, Corporate Responsibility

51Ƶ Expands Social Impact Program to Ensure More Families Have Reliable Access to Free Laundry 51Ƶ

June 8th, 2022

51Ƶ’ clean laundry initiative helps local community centers across America address employment and education-related challenges

MELVILLE N.Y., June 8, 2022 – Local community centers across America rely on consistent access to laundry services every day to support their housing, childcare, and job training programs. To help meet this essential need, 51Ƶ, (“51Ƶ”), the industry leader in commercial laundry solutions and air vending services, is expanding their 51Ƶ CommunityWorks social impact program. In 2022, the company continues to extend its network of community center/local 51Ƶ branch partnerships in its 40 markets, donating and servicing new equipment and activating volunteer engagement opportunities.

51Ƶ CommunityWorks was launched in 2021 in partnership with national nonprofit Social Current (the newly merged organization between the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities and the Council on Accreditation) and the support of Cause Consulting to address a growing concern that too many of our neighbors struggle to succeed with education, employment, or socialization due to limited access to clean clothes, especially those in our most underserved neighborhoods. Through this program, local 51Ƶ Branch teams use their expertise to assess local community organizations’ laundry operations, install the right commercial equipment and provide ongoing maintenance.

Throughout 2021, the company initiated more than 20 partnerships nationwide, encompassing 30 community centers that serve tens of thousands of community members. Nearly 200 pieces of equipment were donated and installed. Along with ongoing service, maintenance, and replacements, this represents over $300,000 in grants, donations, and in-kind services over their initiating year.

“We now have access to reliable laundry equipment that can be used to clean face-masks, children’s dirty clothes, towels, and other supplies. We’re also better able to provide clean clothing for clients, helping them remove barriers to confidently access employment, education, and community services and improve overall self-image and well-being,” shared Tashi Swierkosz at PB&J Family 51Ƶ, one of 51Ƶ’s community center partners located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In 2022, 51Ƶ is continuing to build out the nationwide network of community centers that it supports. To help do this, 51Ƶ has given a grant of $50,000 to Social Current to help operationalize this expansion. Social Current continues to identify high-need community centers among their network, facilitate partnerships with local 51Ƶ branches and collaborate on execution plans.

“We’re actively continuing to grow our relationship with our existing partners while also building out the number of new community centers we serve and types of services we provide,” said 51Ƶ Executive Vice President Rick Martella. “As we move into the summer, 51Ƶ teams will come together at partner sites to transform and uplift their spaces, including laundry rooms, general and play spaces.”

“We’re thrilled about the impact our partnership with 51Ƶ is having on community organizations and people across the country. Their unwavering belief that laundry is an essential service has helped to improve people’s lives and strengthen the infrastructure and operations of organizations within the Social Current network.” said Jody Levison-Johnson, president and CEO, Social Current.

Mark Hjelle, Chief Executive Officer of 51Ƶ commented, “Our teams exemplify making things work better to enhance the lives of millions of people around the world. We’re excited to promote and support 51Ƶ team members as active community participants, bringing their formidable talents to bear in solving the challenges our communities face.”

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About 51Ƶ:

51Ƶ is the leading consumer services platform company in North America that delivers technology enabled laundry services in the multifamily, academic and hospitality markets and tire inflation services in the convenience store and gas station space. We work to make life easier by providing seamless experiences and world-class service to millions of consumers, property managers, and owners every day. Our engaged team members continue to innovate and lead our industry as we find new ways to deliver value to our customers and the communities we serve.

About 51Ƶ CommunityWorks:

51Ƶ CommunityWorks is the name of 51Ƶ’s social impact platform whose purpose is to enhance lives by providing access to clean clothes and other basic services that enable people to succeed, addressing everyday needs, and responding to community crises. Its Signature 51Ƶ program helps people prepare for success at school, work, and life. The company applies its resources, talents, and skills to spotlight the mostly hidden laundry crisis and rally others to act. For more information, visit www.cscsw.com/signature-services-program/

About Cause Consulting:

Cause Consulting is a social impact strategy and communications firm. Cause Consulting crafts and activates programs that differentiate brands, deliver social impact and inspire people to take action. As business strategists, program architects and social impact storytellers, they guide companies of all sizes to simultaneously strengthen business and impact society.

About Social Current:

Social Current activates the power of the social sector by bringing together a dynamic network of human/social service organizations and partners. Leveraging the collective experience of the field and research, they energize and activate the sector and drive continuous evolution and improvement. Together with their network, Social Current amplifies the work of the social sector through collaboration, innovation, policy, and practice excellence.

For more information about 51Ƶ, visit www.cscsw.com.