Tuesday August 25th was our second Laundry Love event in Isla Vista.  13 individuals were served, among them was the beautiful soul of “Survivor” who sleeps under the stars in Isla Vista. He wanted to convey his heartfelt appreciation to those involved in putting on the Laundry Love event and wrote to me:

“Here in I.V. this program gives a total new meaning to ‘Love your brother’.”

Survivor was incredibly grateful for being offered clean laundry, and we were incredibly grateful that he was willing to share his life with us. So to you, Survivor, we say a heartfelt Thank You!

I handled welcoming people that day, but once everyone was checked in and the washers were running I had the opportunity to have conversations which altered my perception of what homeless people are like. First and foremost, everyone I met seemed happy to be participating in the task that most with a washing machine in their home dread…doing laundry. People were friendly, courteous, and gregarious. I found that conversations came easily and that these people were really not as different as I expected. We joked, laughed, made small talk, nothing out of the ordinary really.

People without permanent homes are valuable human beings – open your heart and your mind and you’ll get the chance to see this. I recently watched a report about an inspiring book club in Boston - watch a short video about an unlikely friendship which lead to a book club for the homeless.

I was very pleased to see what I saw at the Laundry Love event. Many needy families being grateful and very appreciative of what was being provided for them. I applaud the Laundry Love team, and I look forward to seeing more upcoming successful events.

Brian Rocha
Silvergreens Restaurant

Thanks to our sponsors: SBParent.com, Silvergreens, and Caje Cafe for providing the means by which the poor in our community can find relief. Without them, none of this would be possible.

People are NOT projects.

LLP has been and will always be about People: those serving and those being served. This change allows us to cease communicating that “We do Laundry Love Projects”, and begin saying “We ARE Laundry Love People”.  Whereas the “we” in the first statement is one sided and exclusive to those providing LLP services, the second statement offers more. It is less concerned with who gives and who receives; the “we” in the second statement is an inclusive collective “we”, where the lines typically drawn between server and the one being served are blurred. Everyone gives and everyone receives.

LLP has always thrived due to its collaboration among diverse people. Rather than focus on our “program” or “project”, our gaze is always set on connecting with people.  This name change moves us past the objectification of people as projects or causes, and allows us to see people for what they truly are: People. Beautiful people just like you and I.

Email us at info@laundryloveiv.com