Thursday Showers Are Staffed by a “Saint”
To family, friends, and neighbors, she’s Claire Hubel – a mother, wife, and down-to-earth Mountain View resident with a proper British accent. But to the homeless men and women who come to Hope’s Corner on Thursdays to shower, she’s “Saint Claire”, one of the most dedicated and involved volunteers that Hope’s Corner has.
Claire started volunteering at Hope’s Corner about two years ago. “I fell in love with it”, she says. “Now I’m there just about every Thursday. If I don’t go to Hope’s Corner, I’m bummed.”
Saying that Claire cares a bit about the people she helps at Hope’s Corner is like saying a mother cares a bit about her children. Claire is heavily involved with the homeless men and women at Hope’s Corner, who she considers friends and a central part of her life. She treats all of them as appreciated guests, with smiles, hugs, and respect.
Claire’s “official” volunteer hours are Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., when she and her friend Renee Hinson schedule times for showers, clean the showers after each use, and distribute towels, toiletries, and undergarments. However, Claire does much more afterward. She’s visited guests in the hospital, helped them fill out applications for housing, and worked with them to create budgets. She has even accompanied one guest to a Beach Boy’s concert.
One of the regular guests says, “Our lives wouldn’t be the same without Claire because she gives us the simple things that we need. She taught me how to sew. Every time I see her, she gives me a hug. A person is never ashamed to come with a smudged face or a two-week old beard. She takes time to look at you and see you.”
Like most volunteers, Claire she says she’s gotten back much more than she expected. “I like the way the guests treat me. There’s nothing superficial, just a real connection. I feel valued for who I am.”
Claire sees the way Hope’s Corner benefits homeless guests. “It’s surprisingly potent to many of our guests to have someone listen attentively, show concern, and treat them respectfully. We’ve created a feeling of community, where guests can chat with others who understand what they are going through. I might even go as far as to say this feels like family to some of our guests who have lost touch with their own families.”
Of course, Claire knows the difference the hot showers make too. “People are refreshed and rejuvenated by their shower. I don’t think this is first and foremost, though. The showers bring people to Hope’s, and the community encourages them to stay!”
When asked what she’d tell someone who’s thinking about volunteering to help with Hope’s Corner’s shower program, Claire offered suggestions. “I’d encourage them to come and visit when the program is operating, have a tour and see what we do. The notion of cleaning showers for homeless people may not be immediately appealing until one sees how spotless the facilities are . . . and, of course, how it’s not really about the showers anyway.”
You don’t have to be a “saint” to volunteer at Hope’s Corner, just someone who wants to make a difference in our community. To volunteer, go to:
http://www.hopes-corner.org/volunteer/
To donate to Hope’s Corner and support our critical services, go to:
http://www.hopes-corner.org/donate/