“Neighborhood Showers” is the latest effort by Yakima Neighborhood Health Services to reach and engage unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in our valley. This hygiene unit contains 3 showers, 3 toilets, 3 sinks, laundry facilities, and a hydraulic wheelchair unit. St. Michael’s was the first of our partners to step up and offer space for YNHS to offer these services.
During just a few hours each week, between 15-20 people come from all parts of Yakima County for showers – nearly 300 Wednesday showers at St. Michaels since Oct 2022. Before and after, nurses, behavioral health specialists, and community health workers sit with participants and offer services. Everyone receives a fresh set of new sweats, underwear, hygiene kit, water and a snack. They have a chance to connect with additional and ongoing services – medical, behavioral health, dental care, housing.
A young person came to the showers. We had seen them previously for suicidal tendencies. They had been beaten the night before when they arrived. Our nurse tended to their wounds, and the person stated they had been assaulted and needed help to make a fresh start. Our Substance Use Dis-order Professional was called over and after their shower, the client was able to talk about their options. At that moment (right time, right place) the client was motivated to start their journey to treatment. The YNHS team helped make this happen. St. Michael’s partnership has been invaluable in reaching this mostly invisible group of neighbors!
Rhonda Hauff,
CEO, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services