Humanity Showers | Traveling Exhibit at San Diego Public Library 2023 - 2025

TL;DR

A journalist creates Humanity Showers to bring visibility to people experiencing homelessness, combat bias, and provide resources through a partnership with the San Diego Public Library.

Transcript

I read this quote from Brian Stevenson where he said people aren't defined by the worst things that they've done or they've ever experienced and so then I knew that I wanted to show people were more than the things that they were experiencing or going through which is addiction homelessness and so I took my journalistic career and started just havi... Read More

Key Insights

• 👯 Brian Stevenson's quote inspired Jordan Verine to focus on showcasing people's humanity beyond their experiences of addiction and homelessness.
• ❎ Humanity Showers has interviewed over 800 individuals experiencing homelessness to bring visibility to their stories and challenge negative stereotypes.
• 🎅 The organization operates mobile shower trailers across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego, with a 100% volunteer staff actively experiencing homelessness.
• 🎅 The partnership with the San Diego Public Library promotes accessibility and encourages deeper engagement in addressing societal issues through resources and programs.
• 👾 Libraries provide a safe and accessible space for individuals experiencing homelessness, making them an ideal location for showcasing street stories.
• 😀 Humanity Showers aims to shift people's consciousness and combat bias by highlighting the lack of opportunities faced by individuals experiencing homelessness.
• 🏃 The organization's showers are community-run, promoting a peer-to-peer dynamic and empowerment within the homeless community.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Humanity Showers aim to combat implicit bias and negative stereotypes associated with homelessness?

Humanity Showers seeks to challenge bias by providing a space for people to learn about the experiences of individuals experiencing homelessness. Through interviews, they highlight the humanity behind the stories and work towards shifting people's consciousness.

Q: How are the mobile shower trailers funded and operated?

The mobile shower trailers, costing around $80,000 each, are funded through donations raised from showcasing stories in libraries. Five trailers are now operated on a 100% volunteer basis with a staff actively experiencing homelessness, emphasizing peer-to-peer support.

Q: Why did Humanity Showers choose to partner with the San Diego Public Library?

The library serves as an accessible and free space for individuals experiencing homelessness. By displaying the Street Stories exhibit in the library, Humanity Showers promotes visibility and hopes to encourage deeper learning and support from the community.

Q: How does the partnership with the library benefit both the community and people experiencing homelessness?

The partnership allows anyone, regardless of their background, to access the stories and gain a better understanding of homelessness. For individuals experiencing homelessness, it provides an opportunity for their stories to be seen and increase support through the library's resources.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jordan Verine, founder of Humanity Showers, interviews over 800 individuals experiencing homelessness to showcase their humanity and challenge negative stereotypes.

• Humanity Showers raises funds to build mobile shower trailers and now operates five units across Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.

• The partnership with the San Diego Public Library aims to promote accessibility and raise awareness about homelessness through the Street Stories exhibit.