While often overlooked and underappreciated, custodians are the protectors of our shared spaces.
-The UW Custodian Project
What is the UW Custodian Project?
The University of Washington’s (UW) 250+ custodial staff work hard to keep the campus clean and protect the health of our community. This reality has not changed in the face of the pandemic. Custodians have continued to be at the frontlines of keeping our campus safe and running. At UW, the majority of custodians
are immigrants, refugees, and people of color who, because of long-standing systemic health and social inequities, are at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID-19.
The UW Custodian Project began in March 2020 when daughter of UW custodians and recent UW MPH and MSW graduate, Evalynn Fae Taganna Romano, started the Pan de Sal + Kape Fund in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She wanted to acknowledge the work of UW custodians while also support small local businesses.
Beginning as a grassroots appreciation effort, the UW Custodian Project has since grown into a community-driven advocacy project. Through art and education, it aims to uplift custodian voices, raise awareness, foster understanding and respect, and change culture and material conditions for UW custodians.
The UW Custodian Project is volunteer-led and not organized by the University of Washington.
Evalynn Romano with her mother, Evalina Romano,
who has been working as a UW custodian for 33 years (and counting!)
UW Custodian Project in Yes! Magazine
On January 12, 2022, Yes! Magazine featured an op-ed written by Evalynn Fae Taganna Romano recalling the story and purpose of the UW Custodian Project told from Romano's perspective. In this piece, Romano recalls the conversations she's had with current UW custodians and things she's done to uplift and show appreciation for these frontline workers.
Towards the end of the article, Romano lists actionable items employers and policymakers can enforce to ensure the basic needs of custodians are being met, including:
- Offer hazard pay and a livable wage ($15 per hour, or even more in expensive localities).
- End the custodian gender wage gap by ensuring equal pay across genders.
- Offer public transit subsidies, or offer free parking in regions with poor access to transportation and limited affordable housing.
- Offer paid sick leave for vaccination, symptoms of ill health, COVID-19 testing, and caregiving duties.
- Offer affordable, flexible child care.
and much more.
Read the full article here.
Additionally, Yes! magazine featured a photo essay created by Evalynn Romano and compiled by Sonali Kolhatkar to "capture the hard work and dignity of UW custodians." View the full piece here.
More information
(in)Visibility Photography Exhibit
The UW custodians' photography exhibit (in)Visibility is now displayed at the UW Tower during winter quarter: January - March 2022.
Address: 4333 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Hours: M-F 6am-6pm
UW Custodian Artist Fund
From Evalynn Romano:
"Thank you again for your support in providing safe and comfortable shoes to UW custodians. These shoes were even helpful during the slippery snow days on campus!
If you would like to continue to support this project, your donations will be used to purchase materials and supplies needed to sustain a traveling exhibit around UW Seattle campus and beyond.
(Note: The UW Custodian Project is volunteer-led and not organized by UW.)
Venmo: evalynn-romano
PayPal: paypal.me/evalynnfae"
Follow the UW Custodian Project on Social Media!
Please follow these social media handles and website that highlight UW Custodian Project efforts!
Instagram: @the_uw_custodian_project
Facebook: @theuwcustodianproject
Twitter: @uw_custodian
Website: www.uwcustodianproject.com