When people wish to help the homeless in their community, they usually think of the most basic requirements: food, warm clothing, and toiletries.
But, when you think about it, what good are new clothing and deodorant if you haven’t been able to properly wash for months?
Consider how relaxing it is to take a long, hot shower after a long day, and then consider what it would be like to never, or only occasionally, have access to private, secure washing facilities.
Shower to the People’s Mobile Shower Unit is based on this concept.
‘People can receive food and clothes, but they can’t get a job even flipping burgers if they haven’t had a shower in three months,’ says Jake Austin, a 31-year-old pastor from St. Louis, Missouri, who bought an old truck for $5,000 (£3,860) on Craigslist and converted it into a mobile shower unit.
The facility now has two shower stalls with changing areas, as well as a lengthy series of sinks and mirrors where guests may shave and brush their teeth.
The vehicle gets its water from fire hydrants and heats itself with an external generator.
It has been visiting numerous locations in the greater St. Louis area every week since the end of May, providing free and easy access to those who would otherwise have no way of getting clean.
Every day, they are able to provide roughly 60 hot showers to individuals in need.
Austin and Shower to the Persons also run Raise the Bar, a social company that employs people who have previously been homeless on a part-time basis. Employees of Raise the Bar make soap, which is given away for free to individuals who use the mobile shower unit.
Austin hopes that by providing a private room where people may wish, he will be able to help those living on the streets regain their dignity.
He told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, ‘If we can encourage folks to clean on a daily basis, we can give them some optimism.’ ‘Give them some optimism, and they’ll be able to take the following steps.’ They are free to continue ascending.’