A local organization seeks to restore hope and stability for unhoused people by offering free mobile showers.
ShowerUp is a nonprofit that provides showers and hygiene products to those in need. The organization has provided 600 showers so far in Memphis this year.
The initiative started in 2016 when Paul and Rhonda Schmitz, a husband and wife duo who had long volunteered and helped with unhoused indviuals, thought about mobile shower units. The Schmitz launched their idea in Nashville and it now serves Chattanooga, Chicago, Illinois, Huntsville, Alabama, Tampa Bay, Florida, Wichita, Kansas, and Memphis.
The mobile units are available throughout the week at different places such as the Hospitality Hub, St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, and elsewhere.
Joe Chodor, operations manager and coordinator for the Memphis branch of ShowerUp, said in addition to receiving a shower kit stocked with soap, shampoo, deodorant, a toothbrush, those in need can take a shower in their portable units.
The units contain three air-conditioned suites and provide hot running water using a hose as a source. Chodor said the water heats up to 120 degrees.
“Our only qualifications are that we don’t have any qualifications,” said Chodor. “You just have to be a person. You don’t need to have an ID, anybody who is in need can shower,”
This decision is intentional, Chodor said, as the founder are proponents of not requiring IDs or collecting demographics on the individuals. Chodor added that users don’t even have to give a real name, as they want it to be clear that it’s a service for anybody.
The organization’s name not only references its service, but is also meant to “shower” people with grace and love. Chodor said they give participants an “unlimited amount of time” in hopes of giving them dignity and respect, while also restoring dignity.
“They feel like a man again — they feel like a peer, because they’re clean and they fit in and they don’t smell,” said Chodor. “That’s really what it’s all about.”
Prior to using the mobile units, Chodor said his team tries to have a five-minute consultation with the individual to inspire hope and foster a human connection. ShowerUp also partners with different people and organizations that offer job interview skills, food, and phone services.
While the organization has shown its ability to expand across cities, Chodor said they also want to offer other direct services in Memphis, such as laundry. They’d also like to increase the number of people they help in the area.
“We’ve showered 600 people this year,” said Chodor. “By the end of this year it should be 2,000.”
To help achieve that goal, ShowerUp seeks help from the community and its partners to increase their reach. Chodor said in addition to donating necessities like underwear, soap, toothbrushes, and monetary donations, volunteers showing up to events also helps.
“It’s really just about spreading the word,” said Chodor. ““They’re good people and they can overcome great things if they get a little help from our friends,” Chodor said.
