Homeless Population In Boyle Heights Receives Shower Of Hope

LOS ANGELES - June 24, 2018 - PRLog -- Individuals experiencing homelessness in the Boyle Heights area now have access to free clean showers, toiletries, new clothing, warm meals, and more thanks to a collaboration between Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero (Clínica), the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council (BHNC), L.A. County-USC, The Shower of Hope – a non-profit organization that makes mobile shower units accessible to the homeless – and others. The initiative, which began in May 2018, takes place Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clínica's Marengo site located at 2032 Marengo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033.

         "Through this partnership we hope to help our most vulnerable population, and let individuals know that they're part of a larger community that's here to embrace them," said Clínica's Interim Executive Director, Carlos Vaquerano. It's amazing to see the smiles on their faces once they're in those clean new clothes and offered a warm meal. The experience helps restore their dignity," added Vaquerano.

         The effort at Clínica is made possible thanks to a grant from the BHNC, which provided seed money toward the initial eight-week use and operation of the mobile shower unit, in addition to funding from private downers through The Shower of Hope Project. Once the eight weeks are completed, LAC-USC and Clínica will be the program's lead sponsors. While at Marengo, The Shower of Hope places two mobile shower units in the parking lot providing easy access to amenities for the area's homeless population. Community partners and volunteers are also on site to greet participants with warm smiles, and provide additional support.

         "We thought about different ways in which we could support those in our community who are struggling through homelessness, and found The Shower of Hope to be a great starting point," said Veronica Polanco, Transportation and Environment Committee Chair for the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council.

         The Shower of Hope is a non-profit organization established in 2017 that partners with communities to restore dignity to individuals experiencing homelessness by offering free showers, toiletries, and volunteer support – the very basic on-site necessities. In just under a year, The Shower of Hope has expanded to eight cities including: Highland Park, Huntington Park, East Pasadena, South Pasadena, Montebello, Gardena, Boyle Heights, and Hollywood.

         The Shower of Hope initiative is made possible thanks to generous contributions from private donors and community-based organizations. The initiative welcomes volunteers and donations of tangible items including: healthy food, water, clothing, and toiletries.

For more media inquiries about The Shower of Hope at Clínica Monseñor Romero, contact Evelyn Aleman at (818) 943-2481 or via e-mail at evelyn@mipr.net. If you would like to refer individuals to The Shower of Hope, contact Lissa Morales by calling (213) 989-700 or via e-mail at lmorales@clinicaromero.com.

#          #          #

About Us

Clinica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero (Clinica Romero) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) established in 1983 in Los Angeles County to improve the availability, accessibility, and coordination of primary and preventive healthcare services for low-income families and residents of the Pico-Union/Westlake area near downtown Los Angeles. Thirty years after its inception, Clinica Romero continues to uphold its mission to provide quality, affordable, and culturally sensitive health care and other services to the uninsured, insured, and underserved communities of greater Los Angeles regardless of ability to pay by upholding the legacy and tradition of Monseñor Oscar Romero.