This month, Community Action House and First United Methodist Church of Holland (FUMC) will celebrate the fourth anniversary of Refresh: Hygiene and Hope, a joint effort to provide access to services that increase dignity, and eliminate housing barriers for neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Refresh provides a warm, safe space for guests, allowing them to decompress from their day-to-day, access critical personal hygiene resources, and find a community of support. The program has been vital to improving individual self-worth, helping guests feel seen and heard, and providing connection to case management services as guests work with our team towards the goal of safe, stable housing.
Refresh Program Director, LuAnne, says “I think our dignity approach to Refresh is what makes this different. People have come from other programs where they were not seen as a human being. At Refresh, we offer relationships, and that is empowering.” Refresh Volunteers and our Outreach staff work to greet each guest by name, offer connection, learn their stories, and celebrate moments big and small. By creating a space where people feel welcome, wanted, valued, and heard, Refresh helps guests to trust again, and often feel inspired to give back in any way they can. LuAnne shared that one guest found a way to bake banana bread in his car so he could share with Refresh volunteers the next day.
Offered on Tuesday and Friday mornings, and Wednesday evenings year round, Refresh provides access to showers, haircuts, personal care items, mail services, and light meals.
In addition to these services, guests can also connect with case management specialists from the Community Action House Outreach Team. Services include housing assistance and resources, food assistance, health care resources, clothing, and more, always embodying a “whatever-it-takes” approach to assisting guests. Whatever it takes to build connections and relationships. Whatever it takes to bridge gaps within local assistance programs. Whatever it takes to provide partnership, support, and expertise as our neighbors chart a way forward.
Since its inception in 2019, Refresh has grown 156% with over 15,000 visits, and has provided 5,791 showers, 565 haircuts, and 2,858 case management meetings for guests. In the last year alone, visits have increased by 74%, demonstrating just how needed these services are.
We are grateful to work alongside FUMC in these efforts, and we’re continuing to lean into new ways to support our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Thank you to all of our community partners and volunteers who make this service possible!
Looking to get more involved with Refresh?
Volunteer
Refresh needs Volunteers weekly to help during program hours to distribute shower necessities, prepare and provide a meal to guests, and to, overall, create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone that joins.
Share the Load
Help our volunteer team provide clean towels and clothing each week by helping to launder items from our program! Refresh is especially looking for help on Wednesday nights after evening service hours.
Please fill out this Volunteer Interest Form to get started!
