New Partnership Brings First-of-its-Kind Mobile Laundry Trailer

Last updated on April 15, 2021

 New Partnership Brings First-of-its-Kind Mobile Laundry Trailer To Serve Those Experiencing Homelessness in Orlando

April 15, 2021 – ORLANDO, FL - Today, on National Laundry Day, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined District 5 City Commissioner Regina I. Hill, District 3 City Commissioner Robert F. Stuart, representatives from SALT Outreach (Service and Love Together) and Simply Healthcare to cut the ribbon in celebration of SALT’s new first-of-its-kind mobile laundry service trailer. The laundry trailer, will operate at the Christian Service Center four days each week, has six commercial washers and dryers and will provide free laundry service to ensure those who are experiencing homelessness have clean clothing.  

“One of our community’s greatest strengths is our ability to forge partnerships to serve our neighbors in need with kindness and compassion,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “This spirit of collaboration and care is evidenced by the partnership with the city, SALT and Simply Healthcare to ensure that the basic needs of hygiene, food and clothing are provided to our most vulnerable neighbors.”  

With this new laundry trailer, SALT estimates assisting clients complete up to 60 loads of laundry per day or 240 loads of laundry per week. The new laundry trailer is in addition to the day services SALT already provides to unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness which includes a portable shower trailer, a clothing trailer, haircuts, storage services, hygiene products and food.   

“An individual experiencing homelessness carries their whole life on their back and with limited space they cannot carry dirty clothing with them. If they do not have the money or a place to do their laundry, they often have to toss their clothing in the trash,” said Eric Camarillo, the President and Founder of SALT. “Laundry was identified as a need to serve our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness because providing laundry to the unsheltered is essential to help them in maintaining their hygiene.”

SALT’s new laundry trailer has been paid for through sponsorships from the City of Orlando, Simply Healthcare and other private donors. SALT will continue to fundraise for the operational expenses of the laundry trailer.

“Simply Healthcare is proud to partner with SALT to support this first-of-its-kind laundry service for people experiencing homelessness,” said Holly Prince, Simply Healthcare Medicaid Plan President. “We understand how important it is for those experiencing homelessness to have access to these types of services, as they play a vital role in maintaining good mental and physical health. By partnering with SALT, we can help those experiencing homelessness to get the care and support they need.” 

While a client is waiting for their laundry to be done, SALT’s case management team, which launched in January 2021 with two social workers and six social work interns from the University of Central Florida, meets with the clients to empower, equip and provide guidance to help them take the next step toward ending their homelessness. 

In a recent two-week period, the case managers helped a young adult transition to a shelter and helped another individual complete their resume and fill out a job application to obtain employment as a carpenter, earning $17 per hour. 

About SALT Outreach Inc.:  
Founded in 2011 by Eric Camarillo, SALT Outreach, or Service And Love Together, is a youth and young adult ministry organization that aims to exemplify the character of Christ through relational evangelism, meeting the needs of the community, equipping people for service, and fostering spiritual growth. Since its inception, SALT has grown its outreach/ministry to serve Orlando’s most vulnerable and currently operates in partnership with the Christian Service Center to provide day services for those experiencing homelessness. SALT’s services include portable shower, laundry and clothing trailers, haircuts, storage and mail services, hygiene products, food and case management support to empower, equip and provide guidance for clients to take the next step toward ending their homelessness. For more information about SALT, please visit serviceandlovetogether.org. 

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