"I've been trying to take a shower for two weeks, and I finally got in here today. To be able to take a shower at least once or twice a week is probably the best thing ever. This makes it a lot more convenient. You just have no idea how serious this is for a person to be able to wash themselves. At least that much dignity."  ~ Windell R.

Our first bus launched at the end of June 2014, and it's already a huge success. We've given over 500 showers to lots of people like Windell, and this is just the beginning.  With a second bus, we can provide 25,000 showers in 2015.

We need $75,000 to retrofit Bus 2 and create more mobile showers and toilets for the thousands of men, women and children who so desperately need them.  Join us; become part of the "village" that's making this imaginative and innovative dream possible - one shower (bus) at a time.

To thank you for helping us realize this dream, here are the great perks we've put together:

We're not even halfway through our 6 month pilot program, and we've already given over 500 showers!

Our most surprising findings?

1. A huge proportion of our guests have jobs, families, and degrees, and, like so many of us, were just one unfortunate incident away from homelessness.  

2. The power of a shower.  After just 15 minutes, we see people emerge with big smiles, new attitudes, and most humbling of all, gratitude. 

3. We're touching more lives than we expected.  From our volunteers, to passersby on the street, to those reading about us on the Internet across the world, Lava Mae is reconnecting many more than just the homeless to our shared humanity. 

Here are a few stories:

• Monte, a machinist from Detroit, moved to San Francisco in search for a job.  Unable to afford rent without opportunities for work, he's been living on the streets for the last few months.  After a local TV broadcast aired an interview with him about our service, Lava Mae received an email from an employee at Tesla who saw his story and wants to connect him to employment.
• Emily and her family of five visit us every Saturday morning.  The parents work, and their three children are in school.  With the addition of Lava Mae's Saturday stop, they are now able to take 2 showers per week. Limited shower availability in San Francisco is even more challenging for young families who don't want to put their children at risk in unsafe environments that lack privacy and supervision.

• Homeless for one-year, Silas (below) is a charming, middle-aged man who is dying of liver cancer. Being clean is vital to him, especially as his medication makes his skin sensitive and prone to sores.  He says that Lava Mae is helping to keep him healthy, and is the bright spot in his weekend.

                 

What started as a simple - and crazy - idea over two years ago has become a remarkable reality. We've built our prototype, launched our pilot, and set off a wave of inquiries from dozens of communities as close as Silicon Valley and Los Angeles and as far as Ghana, Mongolia, Sydney, and San Paolo - all inspired by Lava Mae to create their own mobile hygiene service.

We're all about collaboration.  Our partners - local government, corporations and other nonprofits - make what we do possible.

• Each day we partner with different local nonprofits providing services to the homeless.  We pull up outside, plug into the nearest fire hydrant for our water, and start a sign-up sheet in their drop-in centers.  This allows us to expand their services while leveraging the support of staff experienced in this field.

• City government is integral to our ability to deliver our service. Here are the agencies we're working with: SF Mayor’s Office of HOPE, SF Municipal Transportation Agency, SF Public Utilities Commission, and SF Department of Public Works, and the SF Department of Health, which has given us their good housekeeping seal of approval!

• The private sector - companies like Google, Dr. Bronner’s, Kohler and Laundry Locker - has provided us with essential goods and services, in addition to other support and funding that makes our service possible.

  Read all the great press Lava Mae has been getting HERE!

             

                        

  Here's how you can help:

  Donate, now!  Not only will you feel showered in the good feelings of helping people in need, but you'll also cash in on some sweet perks!  You can also:

• Tell your friends!  Share this campaign on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, carrier pigeon - whatever it takes to get the word out.

• Post a comment or ask us a question on our campaign page; we're obsessive about responding and we love a good conversation!

It always seems impossible until it's done. ~Nelson Mandela

*While Lava Mae/Tides goal is to purchase and retrofit another bus to be used for showers for the San Francisco homeless population, these funds may be used as general support for Lava Mae’s mission of providing such showers if enough money is not raised or operations require using the funds raised for general operations.