Pop Up Care Shower Project To Begin in Lake County

Adventist Health Clear Lake has invested in a Shower Trailer as part of its commitment to Community Wellness in Lake County. The Pop Up Care Shower Project will enhance community wellness by connecting our neighbors experiencing homelessness to essential services with dignity and respect.

The first group to have access to the free showers was the local veterans at the Veteran’s Stand Down. Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth, coordinator of the Pop Up Care Shower Project noted, “We are particularly excited to partner with the Stand Down because this event has epitomized Pop Up care for our veterans experiencing homeless since it first started in San Diego in 1988.” The National Coalition for Homeless Veteran’s explains, “The original Stand Down for homeless veterans was modeled after the Stand Down concept used during the Vietnam War to provide a safe retreat for units returning from combat operations. At secure base camp areas, troops were able to take care of personal hygiene, get clean uniforms, enjoy warm meals, receive medical and dental care, mail and receive letters, and enjoy the camaraderie of friends in a safe environment. Stand Down afforded battle-weary soldiers the opportunity to renew their spirit, health and overall sense of well-being.”

How will it work?

Like the Stand Down, the Pop Up Care project grew organically out of the mission and vision of agencies already serving Lake County residents, specifically the Mission of Adventist Health Clear Lake, the Vision of Lava Mae which is leading the mobile hygiene charge across the state, and the Collaboration of the Lake County Continuum of Care for the Homeless. The Project will serve our friends, family and neighbors experiencing homelessness in Lake County and more. We know there are people who have shelter, living in poverty in Lake County without running water, electricity or adequate food, particularly among our senior citizens. Like the original Stand Down we will offer an array of services each time the Shower Trailer is rolled out.

The trailer has two showers (one is ADA accessible) and an office. Marylin Wakefield, Director of Care Management at Adventist Health noted, “The Integrated Care Management team at Adventist Health is excited to be collaborating on the Shower Trailer project. We will be providing on-site staffing along with an RN who will conduct medical assessments and referrals. Together we are providing health, wholeness and hope to our most vulnerable neighbors.”

It is our strategy to create a schedule where different agencies serving vulnerable populations can provide services in addition to those offered by Adventist which will be organized via a monthly schedule. Each site will not offer as many services as we will see at the Stand Down, but at a minimum, there will always be access to good hygiene, a meal, and medical referrals. Additional resources like assistance finding permanent housing, applying for Cal Fresh benefits, and more will be offered on a rotating basis. The mobile shower unit will operate in partnership with specific agencies and churches in each city. Churches are ideal because they generally have large parking lots so the project footprint has little to no impact on traffic or local businesses.

The first weekly pilot site will be Big Oak Peer Support Center in Clearlake Oaks on Mondays from 10-3 beginning September 23. Manager Dave Ables is excited to be part of the pilot project saying, “This fills such a huge community need. It’s not just a shower but a whole community resource, one stop services and access to housing support!”

Donations

We are accepting limited donations at this time. Because many sites, churches and agencies are partnering with us, gift cards are preferred to checks so each site can get immediate access to what they need. Gift cards that would be the most helpful in the pilot stage are gas cards (for the van that tows the trailer) and Walmart (for immediate needs). Gift Cards can be sent to:

Project Restoration
Attn: Pop Up Care Shower Project
PO Box 546
Lower Lake, CA 95457

We do have an immediate need for large towels in good condition (prefer white as they will be bleached).

• Shampoo/soap
• Anti bacterial wipes
• Microfiber cleaning cloths
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Bleach
• Hand sanitizer
• Yellow cleaning gloves/latex gloves

These items can be brought to:

The IOPCM Office of Adventist Health
Intensive Out Patient Case Management
*Mulberry Plaza location ONLY*
15090 Lakeshore Drive
Clearlake, CA 95457

We cannot accept clothing donations at this time.

Two volunteer orientations will be held in October (sites and dates tba) before additional sites open up. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth at kimbelsa@AH.org.