CLC Board Chair Marg Fallis and Program Coordinator Yaneth Molano celebrating 20 years!
A laundry with benefits -- that might be the way to describe the Community Laundry Co-op (CLC). For twenty years, people have been coming to the Co-op for affordable laundry but staying as part of the friendly Co-op community for informal counselling and referrals, social activities and friendships, job preparation through the Contract Laundry Service Social Enterprise, and the opportunity to contribute to the Co-op community however they can.
Being located in the spacious, welcoming Heartwood facility offers lots of “benefits” — a safe, easily accessible location, where right in the same building other groups provide free services such as tutoring in literacy and English language, sewing classes, childcare, and supports needed by new immigrants and refugees.
Marg Fallis, current chair of the Co-op’s board of directors, explains what it has meant to CLC to belong to the Heartwood community of organizations. “To begin with, it’s being together with other like-minded groups that understand the challenges facing small, not-for-profit organizations. Next, it has been the comfort of knowing Heartwood's management understands our needs and has accommodated us from the start. We have always been well supported by Moe Moloughney, Heartwood’s Executive Director, and the Heartwood board.”
And how does CLC itself benefit by membership in the Heartwood community? According to Marg Fallis, a big plus is the opportunity for collaboration with other groups. “Aside from affordable rent, the mutual support and accommodation of member groups are the main benefits of membership at Heartwood House.” Groups can learn from each other, form partnerships to maximize resources, apply for grants, build social enterprises and even expand the services they offer the public. Heartwood’s member meetings encourage the groups to understand and support each other’s mandates.
Congratulations to the Community Laundry Co-op for filling a great need in the Ottawa community for 20 years. Heartwood House is proud to have the CLC as a member!