Our Favorite Good Causes: Hope Vibes, Inc.
Guest post written by Taylor McLaughlin of The Native Hippie.
Giving Hope to the Homeless
One of our most pressing humanitarian issues today is poverty. There are nearly 150 million homeless people worldwide, with 9% of the entire world's population living on less than $1.90 a day. In the United States alone, over 550,000 people are homeless on any given night.
Living through a global pandemic has massively impacted our homeless community. A report from The National Alliance to End Homelessness predicts that our homeless population may be two to three times more likely to die of the coronavirus because of inadequate access to testing, hospitals and resources - as well as the age of our homeless neighbors - many of them over the age of 60 in the United States.
There is hope!
So many amazing organizations and nonprofits across the globe are dedicated to helping end homelessness and giving people hope during such a difficult season.
One nonprofit I want to highlight today is Hope Vibes Inc., founded by Adrienne and Emmanuel Threatt in their home city of Charlotte, North Carolina. They started this nonprofit in 2016 after Adrienne was moved by a video she saw about homeless women and their lack of access to feminine hygiene products. With the encouragement of her friends and family, Adrienne decided to take action.
Hope Vibes was born out of a desire to help their homeless neighbors have access to some of our most basic hygienic needs; the items we seldom give a second thought to, such as toothpaste, soap, shampoo, body wash, feminine pads, and tampons. With support from their community, they were able to mobilize. Hope Vibes started weekly volunteer events where they walk through the streets of their city bringing hope, encouragement and resources to their homeless neighbors, reminding them that they are loved and cared for.
Adrienne and Emmanuel didn't stop there. They had an even greater dream...what if they could give homeless people access to one of the most basic human needs? Something that could help them feel refreshed and encouraged, a simple hot shower and clean clothes. We take for granted our ability to have even 20 minutes of relaxation, privacy, and cleanliness. A hot shower is a precious privilege, one that most homeless people do not have access to.
This idea fueled their passion and they got to work! A true grassroots movement of local community charities, businesses, and fundraising enabled them to raise enough money to buy a box truck. Converting it into a mobile shower and laundry unit, called the “HOPE TANK”. It has two full bathrooms designed to feel homey, private, and comfortable; complete with shower, sink, and toilet, as well as multiple washer and dryer units.
Get Involved
A common misconception about homelessness is that these people do not work or do not want to work. This could not be further from the truth; many homeless people live in their cars (if they have one), use gym membership showers, or do the best they can with public restrooms to get cleaned up to go to their jobs everyday. It is such a basic concept; we all wake up, shower and put on clean clothes before going to work. Nonprofits like Hope Vibes help people feel a sense of normality and decency by offering the ability to do such a seemingly simple act of self care.
Ricky’s Story
Ricky, a homeless man living on the streets of Charlotte, NC shared with Adrienne how he felt after his first experience in the Hope Tank:
“I loved it, it was a great experience….we need more things like this because people are hurting out here...you have people like me who are homeless but still work and don’t have a home. I’m really at a loss for words for how much this is a blessing for me. And I appreciate the love, and I wish there were more programs [like this] to help us out here, because we need it.”
Stories like Ricky’s are why Emmanuel and Adrienne keep pressing forward in their mission to help end homelessness and bring hope to those living on the streets of their city.
“If you have an idea or dream don’t stop. Especially if it’s one that is going to help other people. Continue to push that forward and take it one step at a time and eventually, you will get to the end goal.
”
Wondering if you have something like this in your city?
There are several nonprofits across our nation, taking the initiative to provide mobile showers for their homeless communities:
Lavamaex.org (San Francisco, CA)
Streetsideshowers.com (multiple locations in Texas and Florida)
Projectoutpour.org (Dallas, TX)
Generosityglobal.org (Baltimore, MD)
Swlove.org (Stockton, CA)
Showerup.org (Nashville, TN)
Waveproject.org (Detroit, MI)
If you find yourself feeling those heartstring tugs but can not find anything like this in your local city or town maybe it is time to get to work and take action! It just takes one small act, something as simple as a shower to change the lives of those in need.
Easily one of the most popular quotes by Gandhi, but a favorite because it is so simple and profound:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”
Make a change.
If you want to learn more about the Hope Tank and this amazing nonprofit check out their website: hopevibes.org.
Some companies that support the Hope Vibes:
About the Author
Taylor is a plant-lovin’, tree-hugin’, spirit seeking, do-it-yourselfer! She’s a lover of all things creative arts, nature, thrifting, her two dogs, hubby and beautiful daughter. Taylor has reached a point in life where she’s just ready to make a change, be the healthiest version of herself (mind, body and soul).
Read more at her blog, The Native Hippie.
Interested in becoming the next guest writer for The Good Camp’s blog?
Email hello@thegoodcamp.com to apply.
