Carwasherxs Rising

Adult literacy

Central LA South LA South Bay County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

In Los Angeles, over 10,000 carwasherxs work in an industry plagued by labor violations, including wage theft and unsafe working conditions. Many are immigrants with limited access to education, language resources, and job mobility, making them particularly vulnerable to systemic exploitation. There is no other trusted space in Los Angeles where these workers can access tailored industry training, learn about their rights in a culturally relevant and safe environment, or develop the skills and confidence needed to stand up against abuse. The lack of accessible, industry-specific education and legal knowledge traps workers in low-wage, high-risk jobs. This perpetuates a cycle of exploitation, severely limiting opportunities for economic mobility, self-advocacy, and long-term safety and wellbeing.

“Carwasherxs Rising” is a 10-module education and workforce development initiative by the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center designed specifically for low-wage immigrant car wash workers in Los Angeles. The program offers peer-led workshops that teach advanced car washing and detailing techniques, safety protocols, adult literacy, and labor rights. These trainings are tailored to meet workers where they are, both linguistically and culturally, in a safe space where learning, leadership, and community-building are prioritized.
Participants receive one-on-one support and hands-on training—allowing them to gain practical skills, make mistakes without fear of employer retaliation, and build the confidence needed to move up within their workplaces. A worker who has spent years vacuuming cars, for example, can gain the skills to advance into drying or detailing positions, increasing both wages and tips.
The program addresses systemic income inequality by providing pathways to higher wages, leadership roles, and even business ownership—such as through the successful incubation of the worker-owned CleanWash Mobile LLC. It also fosters strong community ties, creating a support network essential for navigating both workplace challenges and broader social and political pressures. By promoting economic mobility we are also addressing housing security, “Carwasherxs Rising” empowers carwasherxs to build better futures for themselves and their families.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will be a place where carwash workers—many of whom are immigrants and refugees—can work with dignity, earn fair wages, and lead change in their workplaces and communities. Through “Carwasherxs Rising,” workers gain job skills, understand their rights, and build confidence to advocate for themselves. In today’s climate of shrinking work hours, low wages, and housing instability, our program offers a critical pathway to income mobility and stability. While we start with education, we also address larger issues like income inequality, immigrant support, health and safety, and access to healthcare. CLEAN’s vision is for carwasherxs to become leaders in a more just, equitable Los Angeles—where they not only survive, but thrive.