Up till last summer taking a shower was something homeless people could only dream about. Now it is a reality. Technology and innovation made it possible.
What would you give for a chance to take a shower after a day of camping? How about after a few days of sleeping under the stars? We are fortunate to have homes to return to for a few minutes of a hot shower. But what about those who call streets of San Francisco their home? Up till last summer taking a shower was something they could only dream about. Now it is a reality. Technology and innovation made it possible.
‘Lava Mae’ is a groundbreaking initiative in San Francisco offering the city’s homeless population mobile showers and toilets in a converted bus. Repurposed into bathrooms, retired transportation buses deliver hygiene and restore dignity for San Francisco’s homeless.
Tenderloin neighborhood, is a focal point for the city’s gentrification struggles. It is home to over 6,000 homeless people, who until recently had access to only one working shower head, which was not handicap accessible. Now, a group of passionate people in the Bay Area is using old MUNI buses to bring bathing facilities to this underserved population. (LavaMae)
Dozens of people line up to use the facilities. Some of them are chronic homeless, but many are just simply down on their luck, lost their jobs and ended up sleeping in their vehicles. They see the services of Lava Mae absolutely essential to turn their lives around.
We have talked to people who use Lava Mae services and were amazed that many didn’t look homeless. Some were students, some unemployed who tried to keep their homeless status a secret. They all hoped to be able to shower in their own homes very soon.
While many of us are hesitant to give money to homeless, there is a way how you can support Lava Mae differently. Stock up their bus with much needed essentials, purchasing them from Lava Mae’s wishlist on GOODdler. GOODdler created a technology that will revolutionize the way in-kind donations are collected and managed.
Charitable organizations create wishlists from multiple retailers on GOODdler platform, share them and any person in the world, who is interested in supporting these organizations can make a purchase. Items will be delivered to the intended recipient locally in the most efficient way.
We wholeheartedly support this program and asking for your support as well.
Can see additional info about them here:
http://media.wix.com/ugd/1c9760_d999408f3bd345ac91eb34dad2cef34e.pdf
