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Clean Intentions

Local woman raises money for laundry
and shower facilities for the homeless.

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Visit theJEWISHNEWS.com

12 December 31 •2015

f all the creature comforts of
home, taking a hot shower
and wearing freshly laundered
clothes are two things most taken
for granted. That is why an interfaith
volunteer group based in Corktown
— including Sue Goldsmith of West
Bloomfield — seeks to secure $60,000
in funding for the installation and
maintenance of a shower and laundry
facility to add to an existing Detroit
soup kitchen.
Goldsmith learned about the Corner
Laundry and Shower Service, or CLASS,
by participating in what she thought
was a one-day commitment during last
year's Mitzvah Day sponsored by the
Jewish Community Relations Council
and the Jewish Federation. But after one
day on the site working with volunteers
and meeting the homeless visitors seek-
ing shelter, Goldsmith knew she was
invested in the outcome of the project
for the long term.
CLASS will be part of the Manna
Meal Soup Kitchen, which has operated
out of the basement of Corktown's St.
Peter's Episcopal Church for 20 years.
Five days per week, volunteers from all
faiths serve a hot meal to approximately
120 homeless people five days per week.
Many of the guests are veterans with
physical or mental illnesses.
Goldsmith took such an interest in
the project that for the past 12 months,
she attended monthly project meetings
and has actively reached out to archi-
tects, plumbers and other contractors as
well as potential funders to donate their
time, money and skills to the project.
"Goldsmith adds an impeccable work
ethic, attention to detail and, above all,
a non-judgmental compassion to the
group:' said Janet Ray, a member of the
church and a professor of social work at
the University of Michigan.
Ray guided several graduate students
in interviewing the homeless who use
the soup kitchen for a needs assessment
study. During the assessment study,
students learned that of the 29 guests
interviewed, all said they would love a
place to take a shower, and the church
is the place where they would want to
take a shower because it is the place
"they feel most at home Ray said.
Ray added that Goldsmith's "compas-

Sue Goldsmith

sion and ability to see the humanity
in the guests who come to the soup
kitchen is invaluable" to the long-term
goals of the shower project.
Goldsmith already wears two profes-
sional hats — helping run the family
business, Joe's Army/Navy Surplus in
Royal Oak, and her own party planning
business. She applied her business skills
to the project committee, which attract-
ed the talents of general contractors as
well as an architect to draw up plans.
The costs are estimated at $40,000,
while CLASS capped all project expens-
es at $60,000 to include unexpected as
well as maintenance costs and water
bills. The fundraising continues as the
committee seeks grants for additional
financial resources
Earlier in December, CLASS started
a GoFundMe drive online. Marla Matt,
a retired Navy veteran from Ohio who
went to college with Ray, made one
generous donation of $1,000 to honor
the veterans in need. CLASS continues
to collect donations at its website http://
cornershowerlaundry.com . Or, they
are accepting checks made payable to
Corner Laundry and Shower Service at
1950 Trumbull, Detroit, MI 48216.
Goldsmith said volunteering at the
church has been an "eye-opening" expe-
rience.
"You don't ever think twice about
taking a shower; Goldsmith said.
"Many of the homeless clients who visit
the soup kitchen are lucky if they can
wash up in a McDonald's bathroom.
If we can create this shower facility, it
will help give them a bit of their dignity
back." *