At Maya High School in Phoenix , Arizona , a gravid wardrobe off the cafeteria has been converted into a laundry room call “ The Missing Sock , ” gross with a wash machine , a drier , and even laundry detergent — no quarter or card needed .
According toAZFamily , head John Anderson came up with the idea after realizing that many of the school ’s students — more than 30 pct of whom are homeless — were loath to even show up for school only because they did n’t have a style to rinse their clothes . After talking to one student in finical , who explained that his family was n’t provide him with the basic resource he need for come through in school , Anderson decided it was time for the school itself to abuse up .
So , with the assistance of grants from the Leona Group , the Arizona Diamondbacks , and the Fiesta Bowl , Anderson and his co-worker built their own miniature laundromat , much like West Side High School in New Jersey didlast year . If similar endeavor elsewhere are any indication , Maya High School could see a pretty significant quantitative shock on attending : school that received widget from Whirlpool as part of their Care Counts political program , for example , saw a two - day rise inattendance ratesfor inveterate absent students and a stupefying increase in class participation .
“ I come from a stateless ground , ” Maya High School limited projects coordinator ( and graduate ) Andreya De La Torre tell AZFamily . “ Coming to school smell , Kid do n’t want to be by you . They are mouth about you . And it ’s just really difficult to focus on your education when you are focused on your ego - esteem . ”
In summation to afford underprivileged youngster promiscuous access code to fair clothes , “ The Missing Sock ” is also a symbol of Maya ’s commitment to providing its students with more than just academic acquirement .
“ We offer them life story skills to teach them thing that someone is probably not learn them on the exterior … and to show them love , ” De La Torre explained to AZFamily .
“ We make them believe in themselves and want to do it for themselves , ” Anderson added .
And it does n’t block off at the wash room — Maya High School justearnedanother grant from the Arizona Diamondbacks , which Anderson will use to install exhibitioner in the schoolhouse , too .
[ h / tAZFamily ]
