Submitted by Build A Bus Home
A regular shower is a comfort that most of us take for granted. We expect others to maintain good hygiene as well. Yet many members of our community are without permanent homes, and consequently have no access to hot showers and clean clothing. Local resident Lisa Gillotti, founder, and director of Build A Bus Home, along with a growing team of volunteers, is providing people with hot showers, sinks, personal toiletries, and free masks. Being clean and groomed is essential to restoring people’s dignity, social acceptance, and physical health, she points out.
The need for hygiene services has become even more important with the COVID-19 pandemic, which poses an even greater threat to our neighbors who are already grappling with the hardships of poverty.
- The shower trailer accommodates all guests for physical distancing.
- A school bus is currently being repurposed to provide washers, dryers, lockers, and compost toilets.
- Local churches, including Evergreen Christian Community has been providing space in their parking lot once a week since July 31, 2020.
- Response from clients has been overwhelmingly positive and appreciative.
- After showers guests are saying they feel human again. They smile, and thank us for being there for them
- Hygiene is helping to solve three issues, personal health, public health, and environmental health.
In Summer 2018 both Thurston County and the City of Olympia declared homelessness to be a public health crisis. Since then, the number of identified homeless has grown by nearly 50%.
The economic impact of COVID-19 will certainly increase the numbers of people without permanent housing and make access to hygiene services an ever-greater need. Addressing this crisis requires collaboration from all sides, involving public and private organizations and volunteers.
- Right now, Shower Power needs donations for materials, supplies and money to keep going.
- Volunteers are also urgently needed to staff the unit during days and hours of operation.
- While working with guests, volunteers are provided full PPE (personal protective equipment) and are trained in COVID-19 safety protocols.
Here is how you can help: Members of the community are encouraged to visit the Build A Bus Home website for more information and opportunities to support this exciting project. View our new video here.
