As COVID continues to disrupt much our daily lives, our Survival Outreach Services program is still out in the community, providing hot showers, meals and other services for those in need on the streets. “There’s been an increase in visitors—people who once showered at gyms or parks or beaches who can no longer do so,” said Brandon Salisbury, the Mission’s outreach services coordinator. “We hit our highest number of showers given in the month of June at 543.”

The Mission’s mobile shower program partners with area churches and has sites all over the Valley where guests not only can shower and eat, but also build relationships with volunteers and connect with case managers. They are assisted with haircuts, clothing and hygiene products, and during these times, staff are distributing face masks and hand-sanitizer as often as possible.

Salisbury said the reliability of the program is comforting at this time for those facing so much uncertainty. “Being able to consistently get a hot shower, a hot meal, and free clothing is huge—not to mention the friendly faces of staff and volunteers who genuinely desire to engage them, to ask questions, and to love them well,” he said.

“One of the things I’ve attempted to create at our shower sites is a culture of dignity, love, and prayer. And on the prayer side of things, it’s been neat to see guests feel comfortable and curious enough to approach me and ask for prayer before I offer it. They had sort of “caught” the culture I so wanted to create and became bold enough to reach out. This, in particular, has really blessed my heart!”