Lighthouse Mission Ministries Expands Outreach with Shower Connect Trailer
December 12, 2018
A hot shower – taken for granted by most like a breath of air. But for those living on the streets of Bellingham, a hot shower means people cared enough to enable them to get clean and regain some dignity.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries (LMM) is expanding its outreach to the Bellingham community’s homeless population by launching Shower Connect on Wednesday, 12/12/18.
Shower Connect is a two-stall shower trailer, giving people who are homeless access to warm showers and sanitation. The trailer includes two separate units, each with a shower, toilet and sink.
“Access to warm showers and restrooms is essential to a person’s dignity and when associated with wrap-around support services can inspire life transformation,” said Hans Erchinger-Davis, LMM executive director.
The trailer initially will be available on a sign-up basis Wednesdays in the LMM parking lot off Holly Street, supplementing the showers that guests are getting at the Mission already. Volunteers are being sought to help with Shower Connect at LMM beginning in January.
Also starting in January, LMM will partner with several churches, which will help operate the showers on Saturdays. A variety of hygiene items, feminine hygiene products, towels and clean clothing will be distributed as needed.
LMM is seeking other churches and businesses to partner with it that are in areas where there are homeless people, Erchinger-Davis said.
“Through Street Connect, our street outreach van that brings food, water and relationship, we go wherever the people are,” Erchinger-Davis said. “Similarly, Shower Connect is set up to offer the much needed basic dignity of a hot shower and a point of relational connection.
“Neither program is meant to merely be an end to itself, but to be a touchpoint. A point where people hear and see that they matter. That they are not forgotten. That they are loved, not only by the staff and volunteers, but by Jesus. It is our hope that these outreach programs can be a step toward healing, engagement in the Mission recovery programs, and church and community involvement.”
Street Connect and Shower Connect give community members (faith communities, civic groups, sports teams, universities, businesses, individuals, etc.) the opportunity to address homelessness by volunteering in exciting, safe, and meaningful ways, Erchinger-Davis added. To get started with volunteering, please visit www.thelighthousemission.org.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries, a privately funded, local 501(c)(3) organization, is operating Street Connect and Shower Connect without any government support. The public may support these programs by giving money, toiletries, socks, granola bars, hand warmers and peanut butter.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries, recently named 2018 Nonprofit of the Year by the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, has been helping people who are homeless since 1923. Approximately 250 men, women and children receive shelter and care from Lighthouse Mission Ministries each night and 350 meals are served daily. To make donations or learn more about its services, call (360) 733-5120 or visit www.thelighthousemission.org.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries (LMM) is expanding its outreach to the Bellingham community’s homeless population by launching Shower Connect on Wednesday, 12/12/18.
Shower Connect is a two-stall shower trailer, giving people who are homeless access to warm showers and sanitation. The trailer includes two separate units, each with a shower, toilet and sink.
“Access to warm showers and restrooms is essential to a person’s dignity and when associated with wrap-around support services can inspire life transformation,” said Hans Erchinger-Davis, LMM executive director.
The trailer initially will be available on a sign-up basis Wednesdays in the LMM parking lot off Holly Street, supplementing the showers that guests are getting at the Mission already. Volunteers are being sought to help with Shower Connect at LMM beginning in January.
Also starting in January, LMM will partner with several churches, which will help operate the showers on Saturdays. A variety of hygiene items, feminine hygiene products, towels and clean clothing will be distributed as needed.
LMM is seeking other churches and businesses to partner with it that are in areas where there are homeless people, Erchinger-Davis said.
“Through Street Connect, our street outreach van that brings food, water and relationship, we go wherever the people are,” Erchinger-Davis said. “Similarly, Shower Connect is set up to offer the much needed basic dignity of a hot shower and a point of relational connection.
“Neither program is meant to merely be an end to itself, but to be a touchpoint. A point where people hear and see that they matter. That they are not forgotten. That they are loved, not only by the staff and volunteers, but by Jesus. It is our hope that these outreach programs can be a step toward healing, engagement in the Mission recovery programs, and church and community involvement.”
Street Connect and Shower Connect give community members (faith communities, civic groups, sports teams, universities, businesses, individuals, etc.) the opportunity to address homelessness by volunteering in exciting, safe, and meaningful ways, Erchinger-Davis added. To get started with volunteering, please visit www.thelighthousemission.org.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries, a privately funded, local 501(c)(3) organization, is operating Street Connect and Shower Connect without any government support. The public may support these programs by giving money, toiletries, socks, granola bars, hand warmers and peanut butter.
Lighthouse Mission Ministries, recently named 2018 Nonprofit of the Year by the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce, has been helping people who are homeless since 1923. Approximately 250 men, women and children receive shelter and care from Lighthouse Mission Ministries each night and 350 meals are served daily. To make donations or learn more about its services, call (360) 733-5120 or visit www.thelighthousemission.org.
