25,000 showers and counting: local nonprofit provides mobile showers to those in need
This is a cross-published piece with Mustang News, more information can be found here.
On the second Sunday of each month, community organizations transform the alley behind the San Luis Obispo Library into a hygiene station, hair salon and health clinic, courtesy of the local nonprofit, Shower the People.
Since its founding in 2017, Shower the People has provided over 25,000 showers across San Luis Obispo through their portable trailer, equipped with three private bathrooms.
Using water and electricity from local churches and libraries, Shower the People operates five days a week in three-hour increments. No sign-ups are necessary, allowing anyone in need to show up and take a shower.
“A mobile shower allows us flexibility to be where our homeless neighbors gather to eat or to receive other services,” according to its website.
In his eight years with the organization, Operations Manager David Gross said he still feels joy seeing the impact their services have on community members.
“A lot of the time, people come up to us and they’re kind of bedraggled. They’ve spent the night out on the streets, they’re just feeling a little bit discouraged,” Gross said. “They go in, and they get a shower and get warm for a while. They come out in a nice, clean set of clothes, and you can see it on their face.”
The organization, run entirely by volunteers and funded by donations, brings together community members of all ages and backgrounds, including mechanical engineering senior and volunteer Amelia Cameron.
“It’s been a great way to kind of spend my free time outside of school and give back where I can,” Cameron said.
Volunteers help with tasks like cleaning in between showers and distributing clean towels, washcloths, toiletries, T-shirts, socks and underwear.
Dustin Weiss, founder of mobile salon company, Hot Rod Haircuts, also brings his truck and supplies out to the monthly event to provide free haircuts for community members.
Weiss, who invented and patented the mobile salon chair and shampoo bowl workstation, said he usually does five to eleven haircuts each weekend.
“I physically touch them, and I’m talking to them with kindness and being genuine,” Weiss said. “I feel like I see a different person walk out than who comes in.”
Also at the monthly event is a popup health clinic by Vituity Cares, an organization that provides healthcare to underserved communities. Volunteers check vitals, provide vaccinations and set up follow-up appointments for continual care.
Biology senior Pejalyn Balanon said volunteering with Vituity Cares has provided her with valuable perspectives for her future career in the medical field.
“I have been lucky my whole life to have access to care,” Balanon said. “Meeting people and hearing all their stories has been really eye-opening for me.”
Central Coast nonprofit Access Support Network also attends, providing HIV/AIDS testing and treatment.
Gross hopes that more community members will get involved with Shower the People.
“You can volunteer for as many or as few shifts if you’d like,” Gross said. “The best thing to do is just to show up. You can shadow one of our cleaners or greeters and they’ll show you the ropes, and then you’re one of us.”
