Another busy day at A House Austin (533 N. Pine Ave.) In the children’s room, several toddlers and young children pasted small colorful paper squares in the shape of a rainbow while their parents enjoyed a break before their Thursday Parent Café session.
In the basement, standing next to two top-of-the-line washing machines, Rajeeyah Muhammad said she has enjoyed the variety of programs the nonprofit offers, such as their parents’ support group and children’s music class since becoming a mother in 2021.
“They had a cookout in the summer, it was pretty nice,” Muhammad said. “In the holidays they have things for us to do so we can meet up with each other and also spend time with our families.”
It was Muhammad’s first time doing laundry at the house located at the corner of Pine and Race avenues, a new offering for parents that started earlier this year.
“It’s just more convenient cause you don’t have to stress about not having a laundry unit open or having to watch your clothes intensely because someone might take them,” Muhammad said.
For parents like her, having access to the laundry machines located in the house’s basement offers more than convenience. Due to her busy schedule and lack of shared laundry facilities within her apartment, laundry can be a daunting task. There are also limited transport options to get from her home to the laundromat.
The service is provided by A House Austin for no cost. They provide complimentary soap and drying sheets and arrange transportation for parents if necessary.
“As far as our families go, we find that it’s just really an essential resource,” said Lynnette Kelly-Bell, executive director. Being a mother to four kids, she saw how quickly laundry accumulated until she was able to get to the laundromat.
“I think as a parent it’s good to be able to have a space where you can come and just get one or two loads done,” Kelly-Bell said, adding the organization always wanted to offer free laundry facilities for participating parents, it was just a matter of time. Donors contributed to the purchase of washing machines, and also helped the nonprofit by purchasing washing supplies from their Amazon wishlist.
She explained that many parents face the same issues as Muhammad: limited transportation options; busy schedules; and inaccessibility to washing machines at home. With this option, parents who attend A House in Austin’s parents’ programming can sign up to simultaneously use the laundry facilities.
“It’s not overwhelming, they pop it in before our program starts, check on it mid-program, and by the time they’re ready to go home, it’s ready to go,” Kelly-Bell said.
Their parents’ programs include Parent Café, where parents have an opportunity to take a break, enjoy the parent area, including computers and kitchen space or chat with other parents. In Parent Chat, led by a licensed clinical social worker, they can discuss important parenting topics, hear other parents’ experiences and get support.
These programs are offered to children while they attend. They have access to programs that help them develop their developmental skills through music and reading, as well as play activities. All programs are free to parents.
“Our main goal is just thinking of what does it take for a parent to be successful and have a fairly functional schedule with their family…” Kelly-Bell said. “We just want to make [laundry] a resource they can come and use freely.”
