LavaLove®
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Power Changes Lives IncLavaLove® brings mobile showers to unsheltered and water-insecure individuals and families.
$0
raised by 0 people
$120,000 goal
RADICAL HOSPITALITY: A 29’, three private mobile shower unit providing access to clean water, hot showers, laundry services, and social services for the homeless and water-insecure individuals and families. This program is modeled after the successful LavaMaeX and their “Radical Hospitality” approach to providing services to those who are water insecure. We have trained with them and received mentorship for over a year before designing our program and planned deployment: LavaLove® brings this to New Jersey.
LavaLove® operates 3 days per week, in 6-hour shifts, with the capacity to host 48 showers per day, 144 per week and 7,488 per year. Barbering services and social service intake office providing SNAP applications and additional resources our guests may be eligible.
Since COVID-19, the rate of homelessness has risen by 28%, including children. This greatly impacts women who have special hygiene needs without access to water. Many clients suffer from mental health, recent release from incarceration and chronic health issues. Consistency is critical to our clients creating a community of trust knowing we are there to help.
| RESTORATIVE |
|
The basic hierarchy of needs must be met before addressing any other services: • Food: Bagged lunches, snacks, coffee • Hygiene: Showers, toilets, hygiene kits, towels, shampoo, tampons, razors, miscellaneous hygiene supplies, haircuts • Clothing: on-site laundry services, t-shirts, socks, gently used clothing rack. |
| ANCILLARY SERVICES |
|
Removal of barriers to lifestyle wholeness and wellness that may have triggered or caused homelessness: • Medical: Health screening, wound care, vaccinations, foot care, dental, vision, doctor visits, examinations • Well-being: Meditation, sidewalk talk, therapy, massage, mental health • Self-sufficiency: Employment Opportunities • Housing Opportunities • Educational Opportunities • Legal Assistance and Advice • SNAP/Food Stamps |
| COMMUNITY |
| Community is the essence of LavaLove®. Volunteers live in the local area and are trained in Radical Hospitality and techniques for serving guests with physical and mental illness. The visual support of the community is boldly displayed on the mobile unit with advertising through both individual and corporate sponsors. The proceeds from the selling of advertising space, directly supports the daily operations of LavaLove® (see LavaLove® Project Budget) |
FEATURES
29ft Combination Shower / Restroom / Laundry / Office Trailer with 900 Gallon Waste Tank
| ▪ Cold Weather Package |
| ▪ Hot Water Handwash |
| ▪ Toilet with Sink and Mirror |
| ▪Powered Vent/Skylight with Vent Cover |
| ▪ Dual 40# Propane Tank |
| ▪ Speed Queen Stackable Washer and Dryer |
| ▪ Safe Needle Disposal |
| ▪ 3000 Series Generator |
| ▪ Water Tank/Pump, 225 Gallons |
| ▪ Ondemand Water Heater - LP Gas |
HOURS OF OPERATIONS
LavaLove® will operate at minimum two (2) days per week, for 6 hours per day.
METRICS
| No. Units | Hrs./Day | Showers/Hr. | Showers/Day | Showers/Wk. | Showers/Mo. | Showers/Yr. |
| 3 | 6 | 3 | 54 | 108 | 432 ~ 468 | 5616 |
SITE REQUIREMENTS
▪ Access to electricity: LavaLove® is powered by two generators mounted to the mobile unit. However, it is equipped to accept a direct power source.
▪ Access to sewer: LavaLove® is equipped with graywater and blackwater storage tanks with connections for sewer pumping trucks to remove waste. It is also built for connections to municipal sewer lines.
▪ Parking lot/open space: LavaLove® has the capacity to service approximately 48-60 people per day, year-round. Although it is a “mobile hygiene unit,” studies show that with consistency where a client familiarizes themselves with the staff, site location and hours, clients form meaningful connections that allow us to offer a wider array of services well beyond hygiene.
Inside LavaLove®
LavaLove® Project Budget