By Victoria Aguilar, SCS Intern
Why Does Hygiene Matter?
While hygiene and upkeep seem like a trivial day to day task, for our unhoused community, it is the opposite. Hygiene can be considered a privilege – something we, as housed individuals, are able to maintain because we have the resources to do so. However, for those without the means, it is unfair to view it as trivial and a simple task. Below, I will outline a few reasons why something as simple as showers can mean a great deal to the unhoused community, from a boost of confidence to a step towards better health, to a positive movement into re-entering society.
At Shoreline Community Services, we offer a weekly hot shower service where guests can come in, shower and take a break from some of their pressing issues to focus on their physical and mental well-being. This year, we launched our Healthier Communities Initiative, which centers on The Wellness Program at The Compass Station. This is a low-barrier, trauma-informed hub where individuals experiencing homelessness receive compassionate, holistic care. With the support of volunteer nurses, naturopathic doctors, acupuncturists, and mental health professionals, Guests are treated for acute and chronic conditions, connected to long-term care, and supported in their journey toward stability.
Confidence and Mental Health
Showers are not just a simple hygienic task for people who do not have the resources to do so. Hygiene plays a big part in confidence for everyone, it makes us feel great. With this resource being readily available to many, we often overlook the fact that it is a privilege and truly does affect the way people feel about themselves and how they’re perceived. Getting a shower, haircut, or even a massage can have a huge impact on feelings of anxiety or depression. Within the unhoused community, mental health issues are only worsened due to an inability to practice self-care. By offering shower and hygiene services, Shoreline Community Services hopes to give guests a safe space to build healthier, safer, and more stable lives.
Step towards Better Health
Our Healthier Communities Initiative is meant to target aspects of our Guests health with the help of different volunteers, resource providers, and community organizations to assist them in their health and hygiene issues. By addressing hygiene as a vital part of healthcare, we are not only improving individual well-being, but also building a healthier, more connected community. Unfortunately, it is common for our unsheltered to have health issues that are not met with proper care or compassion. That is why at Shoreline, we strive for a community where everyone is met with proper care and compassion, regardless of their situation. Guests who come into The Compass Station also have access to nurse visits, naturopathic/acupuncture treatments, and substance use counseling.
Re-Entrance into Society
Both aspects of this issue have an impact on the re-entrance into society. When people feel confident, mentally well, and in good health, there can be a better connection to those around them. It is incredibly important that we take these issues more than at “face-value”.” From job interviews to applying for benefits to simply walking in the neighborhood, hygiene is an issue that affects all aspects of someone’s life. Care and compassion play a huge role in this as well, and taking an approach that truly reads into the experiences our Guests have gone through makes meaningful change. We hope that with the right services, we can make the journey from being unhoused to stability a better experience for our unhoused neighbors.
— At Shoreline Community Services we believe that by meeting people where they are with care, connection, and compassion, we are building a healthier, more resilient community—one person at a time.