Flowing with Blessings Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Atlanta’s homeless population, has teamed up with industrial design students from Georgia Tech to develop an innovative Mobile Laundry Bus, according to the university’s News Center.
Founded by Nicky Crawford in February 2022, Flowing with Blessings provides essential services such as showers and clean clothing for those in need. Georgia Tech reported that Crawford’s commitment to alleviating the daily struggles of those they serve — by helping individuals preserve their cherished belongings and maintain personal hygiene without the stigma often associated with homelessness — inspired the creation of the mobile laundry bus.
Crawford bought a school bus to convert it into a mobile laundry service, going to Georgia Tech for help with the process.
The initiative, led by Steve Chininis, professor of practice at the School of Industrial Design, involved students Zaria Hardnett, David Hounyo, Lily Liang, Claudia Ross, and Anushka Vaidya, who participated in a summer studio course designed specifically for juniors and seniors.
“It was so exciting to be able to have our students work on this amazing project,” Chininis said, Georgia Tech reported. “It allowed students to make an immediate and direct impact in our community! They were instantly engaged because they were working with an amazing client who was helping real people.”
The Georgia Tech team applied their design and engineering skills, from brainstorming and sketch sessions to developing 3D models, ensuring the final design was practical and user-centered. Considering the need for mobility and the potential scarcity of clean water in some areas, the students carefully designed a system that includes large clean water tanks. Keeping volunteers in mind, they strategically arranged the washers and dryers to optimize efficiency.
The organization has served over 4,500 individuals and assists approximately 60 people each day.
According to Atlanta Mission, the 2024 PIT Count reported that approximately 2,900 individuals in Atlanta are experiencing homelessness, with an estimated 1,827 people in emergency shelters or transitional housing and approximately 1,040 unsheltered individuals. Homelessness in the area has risen significantly, in part because lower-income Black workers’ wages have not kept pace with the sharp increase in rent prices.
Despite challenges, including the lack of sufficient resources to help people experiencing homelessness transition to stable housing, Crawford emphasized that providing clean clothes and the opportunity to shower is “a crucial step in helping these individuals regain their dignity and begin the process of rebuilding their lives,” Georgia Tech reported.
“We urge everyone to be the change they wish to see in the world,” Crawford added.
