It’s not much: three shower stalls, a toilet, and a pair of sinks.
But for more than 100 men every month, a small room at LifePath Christian Ministries Men’s Shelter is the difference between being able to take a shower — and not.
LifePath is the only organization in York County that opens its doors and offers its shower facility to the public for free. For one hour every day, anyone can come in and get clean, no questions asked.
“A simple thing like a shower can be very impactful,” says Melanie Hady, LifePath’s manager of marketing and public relations.
Shower room gets a remodel
More than 2,100 showers are provided each month to the men staying at LifePath. That includes men who are emergency clients and longer-term residents. That’s in addition to the 1,800 showers provided to the public each month.
Years of heavy use have taken their toll on the shower room. The walls are breaking down, with a gaping hole above one shower stall, and mold has settled in on the floors and walls.
Fortunately, with the help of Centurion Construction Group, which has donated $20,000 in kind toward the $60,000 project, the shower room is getting remodeled.
“It’s not going to be plush,” Melanie says. “But, to have a clean place to shower — we think it’s important and meaningful.”
More help needed
An additional shower, two more sinks, and another toilet will be added to the remodeled space. With the project underway, LifePath is seeking funding through several grants. But, even with those, more funders are needed to complete the renovation.
Providing these men with a clean, private place to shower is not just about hygiene, says Melanie. It’s also about improving self-esteem and letting them know someone cares.
“We’re a Christian organization. We don’t ever want to give up on anybody,” Melanie says. “And knowing there are people who care enough to provide these kinds of services gives a person hope.”
How to help
You can donate to LifePath Christian Ministries by making a contribution here, or to designate to the shower project, mail a check with “shower project” in the memo to:
LifePath Christian Ministries
P.O. Box 1968
York, PA 17405-1968