The Shower of Hope was facing cuts that could have left parts of Los Angeles without mobile shower services. Supporters spoke up, flooding city officials with emails and showing up to advocate for the program. The result: The program kept its funding and secured money for two new sites.
The mobile shower program has served unhoused communities across Los Angeles since 2017.
What is the Shower of Hope?
The Shower of Hope is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, operated by End Homelessness California, that provides free shower access and hygiene supplies to people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity across LA County. Many locations also offer meals and clothing. The organization runs sites throughout the region, from Inglewood and South LA to Downtown LA and Boyle Heights (see full locations list below).
How to use it
Services are free and open to anyone who needs them — just show up at a location during its posted hours (see the schedule below). No referral is required. Because hours and availability can vary by site and season, it’s a good idea to call ahead or check theshowerofhope.org/locations for the latest schedule before heading out.
Volunteer coordinator Emma Zander, spoke with The LA Local about the importance of the Shower of Hope and the need to push back against stereotypes about unhoused people and homelessness…