Shower Program is Back . . . Again!

After being paused since May 25, 2020 due to COVID-19, Hope’s Corner’s onsite shower program restarted on March 10. The showers are available to homeless individuals on Wednesdays, 1 – 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Rather than having a grand reopening, we started gradually, following special COVID-related protocols and procedures for sanitizing and social distancing. During our first week, we provided a total of 12 showers; however, we expect to ramp up quickly and increase to pre-pandemic numbers, when we provided 40 – 50 showers each week.

“We know that being able to have a shower and clean clothes is an important part of staying healthy, feeling good about yourself, and being hopeful for the future,” remarked Board Member Leslie Carmichael. “Hope’s Corner is thrilled to be able to offer this service again to our guests.”

The showers have been sorely missed by unhoused individuals who appreciate the size and cleanliness of our two handicap-accessible showers. “It was tough to go two or three weeks without a shower and to have to ‘bird bath it’”, a past shower guest shared. “It’s a great blessing to be able to shower twice a week. The brand new socks, underwear, and T-shirt are a great help too.”

The reopening of the showers was done with the approval of Los Altos United Methodist, which owns the property and facility where Hope’s Corner operates. It became a reality as Hope’s Corner Board of Directors decided to hire a program assistant who will help manage the shower/laundry program.

Staff for the showers will be a combination of paid Hope’s Corner staff and trained volunteers. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Fluency in Spanish is helpful. To volunteer, contact Hope’s Corner’s volunteer coordinator (hopescornermv@gmail.com).