When you are homeless, it’s a struggle to find even the most basic of necessities. Finding food can be difficult. Finding a shower in most areas is close to impossible. Many organizations have made it their mission to provide food and even clothing, but few have started to tackle the big issue of good hygiene. Streetside Showers has picked up the challenge. With their new locations in Texas and Florida, homeless individuals now have access to showers and other life-changing necessities. It’s amazing how a simple shower can transform a person’s outlook on the world.
It’s All about Dignity
When people are homeless, going days or weeks without a shower can be demoralizing. It robs them of what little self-value they may have left. They lose their dignity and their desire to try and make a life for themselves. Having access to showers on a regular basis will give them back their dignity. It gives them back a sense of self that they may have lost during their struggles. Something as simple as a 5-minute shower will restore their confidence and may even motivate them to do something nice for themselves or others.
Providing a Basic Need
The concept of Streetside Showers is nothing new, we are a sister organization of Lava Mae. Lava Mae was founded in 2014 by Doniece Sandoval, who transformed an old city bus into a shower/hygiene station for the homeless in San Francisco. If other organizations could provide food and necessities, why couldn’t she provide assistance with hygiene and personal showers? What started with one city bus has turned into a nationwide network of organizations that are working together to help provide the basic needs of our forgotten neighbors. From hand-washing stations, mobile showers, and many other services, the network created by LavaMaeˣ is designed to meet as many basic needs as possible for homeless individuals who may not have other resources.
Who We Serve
Streetside Showers offers its mobile services to residents in both Florida and Texas. Florida locations include Palm Bay and Titusville, Florida. Shower services can be found in the following Texas locations, including:
- McKinney
- Denison
- Denton
- Irving
- Garland
- Plano
The mobile showers are available to homeless residents in these communities for several hours each day. They are able to take a shower and perform other personal hygiene tasks. In time, Streetside Showers hopes to expand to other communities so they can provide their services to even more people.
Paul Gant of Gant Insurance Agency in McKinney, Texas offers his support to Streetside Showers. As the founder of a family-owned business, he understands the importance of having the basic necessities in life. By offering support to organizations like Streetside Showers and LavaMaeˣ, he aims to help the less fortunate members of the community regain their dignity and self-respect. Visit the office of Gant Insurance Agency if you have questions about your insurance or are interested in learning more about how you can support your local community.
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