Taking a hot shower is something many people take for granted — but not Al Bilins.
Why it matters: He’s witnessed how a shower and a fresh haircut can completely transform a person since starting a new nonprofit, Tent City Showers.
- It’s believed to be Columbus’ first mobile shower unit, a growing trend elsewhere.
Driving the news: Since fall, Bilins has parked his trailer containing three showers outside resource hubs like Jordan’s Crossing to help homeless people.
- It offers free hot showers, haircuts and hot dogs, as well as hygiene products and clothes — and sometimes as many as 30 people are lining up, including repeat customers.
What he’s saying: “You can see the change in their faces,” Bilins tells Axios.
Zoom in: Bilins owns a local landscaping company and the nonprofit is completely grassroots, supported by small donations, friends, employee volunteers and his own income.
- He was inspired after volunteering with another group and witnessing people’s needs, and says “God gave me a vision.”
What’s next: Bilins hopes to scale up to a full-sized bus soon with help from a grant…