AUSTIN, Texas —
An Austin woman is on a mission to make sure people without a roof over their heads have clean clothes on their backs.
Linda Jackson created the nonprofit organization Seeding Life to help people experiencing homelessness do their laundry for free.
"How are you going to go get a job if you're covered in dirt when your clothes are moldy and rotting?" Jackson asked.
She said she's been there and understands what it's like. She wants to offer any help she can to those going through a tough time.
"It's really hard to explain to the rest of the world how difficult it is to get off the streets once you're there," Jackson said.
She was homeless for six years. Now she takes donations to be able to swipe a card to pay for people's laundry.
"I started doing this because I believe in community," Jackson said.
The community is one the owner of Washtopia, Laura Patrick, is happy to be a part of.
"When I first started working here, I was homeless. I was a part of this community," Patrick said.
She said Jackson's work gives people confidence.
"If we just treat people with respect and love, you give them hope for a future," she said.
According to Jackson, a small act like this one doesn't take much to have a big impact.
"It doesn't take some big, huge miracle or superhero to fly in and save the day," she said.
At noon each Tuesday, any unhoused person can go to the Washtopia on Anderson Mill Road to get their laundry done. But the nonprofit helps with more than just clothes.
Jackson said her services can help "them make a plan on what to do next to get to where they're wanting to go."
While they are washing their clothes, those using the free services can also eat free food and take sandwiches. Jackson also hands out Narcan and helps connect people to other resources like housing assessments and getting identification to apply for jobs.
"I don't know how many times that that's made the difference in someone moving forward and someone not," Jackson said.
Victor Atkins was homeless for seven years and was able to do his laundry thanks to Jackson's help.
"I probably wouldn't even of did it because I had lost my self-esteem," he said. "When I met this lady, Linda, who was doing laundry for people, I couldn't believe it. I was like, 'Laundry? Free laundry?'"
Recently, he moved into a new place and said Jackson helped connect him to resources, which had a huge impact.
"Most people don't know how it is to walk around and be dirty," he said.
Jackson wants to keep giving people a clean start, one load of clothes at a time. She pays for as many loads as people need.
Her biggest rule is whatever machine a person is using, she asks they fill it up so they can make the most out of every wash.
Those wanting to donate to the nonprofit can do so through Cash App:
