How it all began...

Vermont Community Wash and Learn Inc was founded by Andrew and Hannah Christiansen in January of 2024 as a vehicle to enhance the scope and breadth of King Street Laundry's various social support programs. It was through the formation of this 501c3, public charity that the Christiansens  sought to diversify funding sources while also providing opportunities for direct community involvement in planning and execution of the array of social support initiatives. In 2021, amid the height of the Covid shut down, the King Street Laundry closed after nearly 4 decades of continuous operation. This decision came after growing issues of open drug use, theft and vagrancy that accelerated during the pandemic that were compounded by

apathetic and largely absent management by the previous owner. Prior to its closure these safety concerns had lead many local residents from the rental dominated neighborhoods of the economically diverse South End largely to avoid the space despite it serving as one of the last remaining laundromats in the area, effectively transforming the the South End into what is often referred to as a "laundry desert" by housing authorities. The Christiansens saw news of the laundromat's well publicized demise and began to research the space's history, the problems that lead to its closure, and began to perceive the business and the important service it provided through the lens of social equity. Many of its patrons were economically disadvantaged renters (or unhoused) and didn't have convenient access to laundry facilities in Burlington's

aging rental housing stock. The couple made the decision to purchase the laundromat, finalizing the transaction in the spring of 2022 and quickly worked to strengthen their ties to the community and the myriad of social support groups that operate in the Burlington area. It was through these relationships and a steadfast pursuit of a single goal: to transform the laundromat into a dynamic, community support hub that welcomed all and sought to recast the traditional laundromat experience. They wanted the laundromat to be a beacon of positivity that would provide a safe and affordable location to clean clothes but also a space that could leverage this role into other elements of patrons’ lives. Over the next year and half the space would

host art events, workshops on financial or professional development, job fairs, nonprofit advocacy and informational forums all in pursuit of this basic goal. Limitations in both time and funding were a reoccuring challenge and, after considerable research, the decision was made to form a public charity as a means to address both issues. The formation of a board of directors was aided considerably by the Christiansen’s numerous relationships with local community groups formed during the first 1.5 years of operation, and a board comprised of diverse array of individuals from notable groups like Workingfields, CEDO, King Street Center, and Champlain College came together quickly. In addition, the board was joined by several laundromat patrons with lived experience dealing both homelessness and workforce development programs, 

and their contributions to planning have already been considerable. Since its formation in early 2024, VCWL has taken over many of the existing King Street Laundry community

programs (eg: free weekly laundry, community art events lead by Davis Studios) and also started planning several new programs including a financial literacy series for New Americans, a literacy series with Fletcher Free Library, installation of translated directions on the use of machines in 5 languages. The most ambitious initiative to date, is the creation of a social enterprise. to operate a wash, dry, fold service out of the laundromat. The operational details of this program have been summarized in other sections so an in-depth description won't be included in this narrative suffice to say it will be a multi-faceted program designed to benefit the work experience referrals coming from different labor groups and the community. One illustration of the community support focus is the Decker Towers laundry pilot program that will seek to provide pick up and delivery laundry service for Burlington's largest residential building, home to 200 plus low income, elderly and disabled residents which is tentatively scheduled to launch on 5/7/24.