Peace Connections News

  Love Never Ends, and Neither Does Laundry  As Laundry Love approaches its third year in our community, the need is still there, and so is the love. Reacting to those needs led us to open up another session earlier in the afternoon, in partnership with Prairie View, for folks who were unable to handle the sometimes hectic pace of the regular evening program, the first Thursday of each month.   We see the laundromat as a place where strangers become friends, people are known by name, hope is hustled, and the worth of every human being is acknowledged and celebrated. We do this through love, dignity, and detergent. Steve, a regular attendant, stated “Laundry Love has been a life changer for me. I’m so glad you guys offer this every month.” "I am so blessed to know that I can always keep my grandbabies in clean clothes." -Mariah  There have also been increased partnerships and outreach opportunities as local organizations are seeking us out, to highlight, recruit,...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023) By Laurie Oswald Robinson It is amazing what a few quarters and a smile can do for one’s heart – as well as one’s laundry. A local resident discovered this when she went to Sunshine Laundry, 1800 W. First St, Newton, on the first Thursday of the month during a free, monthly event called Laundry Love. She entered the room, made warm by the humming washers and dryers and the smiles of staff members from event co-sponsors Peace Connections and Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE). Staff were greeting folks and handing out free quarters, detergent, and dryer sheets from 6 to 8 p.m. That night, too, for the first time since the event began in February, this resident enjoyed a free meal, provided by Janie Schmidt and Stephanie Thompson, of Faith Mennonite Church. The attendees could also pick from a table full of free hygiene items. Laundry Love started very simply and practically in California 20 years ago, when an unhous...