The Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team is working with an area ministry to offer hot showers and clothing to members of the community who would not otherwise have access to a bathroom.
The mobile shower will be making its way around Citrus Heights as volunteers use electrical and water hook ups at various churches in the area. Advent Lutheran Church hosted the Mercy Holistic Ministry on Wednesday for their inaugural guests. The grand opening of the project will be held at Celtic Cross Church on Thursday, Jan. 14, at 11 a.m.
Five area churches are participating in the program, including Celtic Cross, Advent Lutheran, Antelope Road Christian Fellowship, Holy Family Catholic Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Citrus Heights Stake.
The first guest to use the facility was David Leon-Guerrero. Leon-Guerrero said he welcomes the help he’s receiving from HART and the Mercy Holistic Ministry.
“I’m really appreciative of how wonderful people are,” Leon-Guerrero said after stepping out of the shower facility with clean clothes. “They’ve been so welcoming trying to help me help myself, and that’s really the goal.”
Mercy Holistic Ministry President Berhanu Didanu said his reward is seeing the change in people helped by the ministry.
“I don’t need anything to get any reward, but one of my brother or sister, when they go inside with depression and coming back feeling the dignity of a human being,” he said.
Originally from Ethiopia, Didanu seeks to work with more partners willing to host the portable shower.
“We are here to be a blessing to others, not just ourselves,” he said. “We have to get out of our comfort zone to be a blessing to others.”
By Mike Hazlip