A local nonprofit in Ridgewood is bringing access to clean showers to some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents. Shower Power is running a free, year-long shower program at Ridgewood Presbyterian Church, located at 59-14 70th Ave.
The program is targeted towards the homeless population, migrants and anyone in need of a fresh, clean shower. Current operating hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dates of service will move to Tuesday and Wednesday starting Aug. 16.
Shower Power staff provide every guest with their choice of toiletries and a clean, fresh towel. Additionally, every attendee has access to a clean pair of clothing, complete with new socks, underwear, hoodies, pants and t-shirts, courtesy of the clothing brand Bombas. Guests also receive period products, snacks, water, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other personal hygiene items.
Ridgewood Presbyterian Church has indoor showers that are utilized yearlong for guests, which are used in tandem with the Shower Power-provided trailers. The church built the indoor showers in February after it converted part of the facility into a small-scale migrant shelter as part of a City Hall program. Only indoor showers are currently available due to a power supply issue with the trailers.
Richard Vernon, executive director of Shower Power, explained that the program has brought dignity and relief to guests with little to no access to showers. The program normally has ten guests a day, many of whom are regular, familiar faces.
“Some of them have got to know each other just through coming for showers. We have a couple of women who are regulars with us who met because they were showing up for showers, who have become friends and coordinate coming here,” he said.
Vernon said there is an emphasis on fostering a hospitable environment for guests by cleaning the showers after every use and providing an array of choices for hygiene products. “We want to make the experience as pleasant as possible,” Vernon said.
He added that Shower Power is a CityPack distribution partner that provides large-capacity backpacks with security features and built-in ponchos designed for homeless individuals living outside. “For us to be able to give folks backpacks that are designed for the realities of life on the street is a big deal,” Vernon said. Shower Power also partners with a local outreach organization that brings homeless individuals to the church to shower before a doctor’s visit or other important appointments.
He shared that many guests come in guarded, but leave feeling refreshed and even jovial after showering. “By the time they come out of their shower and realize they can sit and chat, we have people laughing and hanging out, just feeling a lot more human,” he said.
Vernon added that the organization is always looking to partner with other facilities to service others in need. A short list of asks includes indoor bathroom access and a securely gated and sizable location for the outdoor shower trailer. Facilities with indoor showers should have unused or underused indoor showers, private showers with room to change and keep items, and hot water.
