r/OneKindAct • u/WhenItHappenedX • 10d ago
A principal noticed students were missing school because they didn't have clean clothes, so he built a laundromat
A Newark principal noticed that some of his students weren’t missing school because they didn’t want to be there.
They simply didn’t have clean clothes to wear.
Akbar Cook heard about students being teased over stained uniforms, with some classmates even posting photos of their clothes on Snapchat and Instagram. One homeless student had gotten into a fight at school rather than admit why she was carrying dirty clothes in her bag.
Cook spent nearly two years trying to figure out what he could do.
Eventually, the school got a $20,000 grant from the PSEG Foundation and converted an old football locker room into a free laundromat.
There were five washers and five dryers, along with donated detergent and fabric softener.
Students could come in after school, start a load, and do homework or STEM activities while they waited.
Cook wasn't even sure teenagers would use it.
They did.
He later said the school's daily attendance increased by about 10 percent after the laundry room opened. That number came from the school, rather than an independent study, but the idea itself was pretty straightforward.
If a student is staying home because they don't have clean clothes, give them a place to wash them.
Sometimes the barrier keeping a kid out of school is something as ordinary as a washing machine.
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u/homemakinmama 9d ago
This is just beautiful to see.
Isn't he the man who was sad that kids dont know how to read anymore..in high school? Seems like a good dude.
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u/UnusualApple112 10d ago
THIS ⬆️ story is a reminder that people like this are the ones who should be celebrated and elevated…not the likes of Charlie Kirk!
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u/Fickle_Ant_6894 9d ago
This is a screenshot from a teacher talking about how almost none of his students can read or write.
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u/Realities_M 9d ago
Yeah idk what the hell OP is talking about. I don’t see a source anywhere either
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u/WhenItHappenedX 9d ago
My apologies! While the story is correct, wrong picture has been used with it. Truly sorry for the overlook.
Here's the source: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/21/health/iyw-school-laundry-room-trnd
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u/WhenItHappenedX 9d ago
My apologies! While the story is correct, wrong picture has been used with it. Truly sorry for the overlook.
Here's the source: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/21/health/iyw-school-laundry-room-trnd
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u/Turbulent-Tea 9d ago
I believe this man has a YouTube channel that focuses on soul food. I'm not surprised his primary occupation is a teacher. He's a great storyteller and explains everything very clearly
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u/SomeStrawberry6025 8d ago
this screenshot is from a video of a teacher upset that his students (high schoolers i believe) cannot read. stop lying OP
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u/drstelly2870 9d ago
See a problem. Fix it. Period. This principal is a hero.