What does the Community Laundry Co-op do?
For 20 years the Community Laundry Co-op has provided accessible and affordable self-serve laundry facilities and counselling for low income and isolated people in Ottawa. The Co-op also operates a Contract Laundry Social Enterprise that offers laundry and delivery services to local clients at competitive rates while providing members with job preparation skills, work experience and additional income in a supportive environment.
How does the program work?
Members join the Co-op for $2.00 per year. This gives them access to laundry for just $2 per load (wash, dry, soap and coffee included). They are invited to attend social activities such as BBQs, games nights or dinners. Our Counselor is always available to help with problems and make referrals if necessary. Members may decide to volunteer for assist with activities, at the front desk, or participate in the Contract Laundry Social Enterprise which provides opportunities to gain work experience, develop skills, and supplement their income.
Approximately 75% of Co-op members rely on government programs for income; 99% are living in poverty. The Co-op reaches out to recent immigrants and provides a non-threatening environment to practice English and access the support of a broader community. As an integral part of its program, the Co-op provides formal counselling to an average of 90 members per month as well as information, referrals and social support to more than 40 people on a drop-in basis.
What was the inspiration behind creating the social enterprise?
The Co-op was founded to meet a need for affordable laundry identified at the Peoples’ Hearings on Poverty in response to provincial cuts to social programs. At that time “Community Economic Development” was the first iteration of Social Enterprise. From the very first meetings of the task force, a “Good Works” laundry business was part of the plan. The goal was always to provide job preparation training and some income for our members and at a minimum cover the costs of doing that. Our first contract was for 1 load of towels per week from a local gym. It took several years to get the business up and running, guided by a committee of experts from the community.
What inspires you and your team to do the work you do?
We are inspired by our members, how they help each other to grow and build a strong supportive community where everybody belongs, gets the help they need and contributes whatever and wherever they can. Just last week, one of our members brought a wonderful meal to the Co-op to celebrate the end of Ramadan with his Co-op “family and friends”. These are the experiences that keep us going.
The Co-op found itself in a situation where closing was being considered. Tell us about that and how CSED helped you change your decision?
Operational funding for charities has dropped significantly over the last few years. The Co-op has minimal fundraising expertise or resources, each year we start with a zero budget. December of 2018 there seemed to be little chance that we would be able to raise enough to keep us going another year. We knew that there was potential for the Contract Laundry Social Enterprise to generate more income but with only one staff, whose main priority had to be the members, and no luck with grant requests we felt we had reached a dead end.
Following our participation in CSED’s Accelerator Program, their team of Sector Development Experts agreed to look at our financials. The work they did with us upfront on business and financial modelling was critical for us to get a clear view of our future possibilities. Through their assessment it was determined that there was indeed great opportunity for growth. Along with their support, we received some sound advice from the Ottawa Community Foundation and were able to come up with a 3 year plan to build long term sustainability based on expansion of the social enterprise and improving our management and fundraising capabilities. The plan and the financial forecast developed with CSED provided the business case to get the grants to make it happen.
What has CSED helped you with that you may have otherwise not been able to do on your own?
The Accelerator Program provided an excellent overview and practical advice on what is required for a successful social enterprise. The financial analysis was the key to everything. It gave us the courage to proceed and proved that there was a sound business case to do so. They also guided us in our efforts to line up other programming and funding including support from McConnell, Uncapped, Cooperators, City and the Ottawa Community Foundation. CSED’s continuum of support starting with the accelerator then coaching, funding, consulting and contractorship has been critical for us.
CSED continues to assist us by providing mentoring and coaching support for the development of our business model and marketing plan. We now have a solid road-map for the way ahead and the ability to maintain it as an evolving plan.
What challenges do you face day-to-day?
We still have to pull all the pieces of the plan together and make it work while maintaining the rest of our program. We are in the process of hiring a business manager to do the marketing and expand and solidify all aspects of the operation. The real work starts now but we are aware of what needs to be done and have a guide on how to do it.
What are some of the lessons you and your team have learned along the way?
The lessons are just beginning. As we start to implement our plan we will find out what works and what doesn’t and make adjustments as we go.
What is the Co-op’s vision/mission moving forward?
Our mission and vision remain the same: Providing affordable laundry, support and opportunities to grow for our members in a positive supportive environment. The change is that we intend, through our expanded social enterprise and with the help of an expanded and committed donor base, to do it with self-sustaining operational funding.
What makes you most proud?
Seeing our members grow and develop.
Find out more about the Community Laundry Co-op.