Valentine’s Day Celebration with the Homeless

Mercy Holistic Ministry celebrated Valentine’s Day with people experiencing homelessness this Saturday, February 11th at the 1236 C Street in downtown Sacramento from 10a.m to noon. In addition to the usual, mobile hot shower services and haircuts, special valentine gifts and food were provided to the homeless.

Lifting Spirits Higher and St. Paul Lutheran Church provided hot lunch and drinks while Capital Christian Center provided in-kind gifts including pop up tents, chairs and back-bags.

Mercy Holistic Ministry has provided over 5200 mobile hot showers to people experiencing homelessness in and around Sacramento since the beginning of 2021. The organization regularly provides its shower services on Saturdays and Sundays. Each shower day, an average of 15 to 20 homeless people come at the site looking for shower, clean clothing, haircut, and food.

Serving from heart: My Sunday Diary

Mercy Holistic Ministry is known for providing mobile hot shower services for people experiencing homelessness. Homeless people also come to our site for clothing, food, haircut and counseling. Today was just another day for us and we did set up our mobile shower trailer ready for use.

An hour or so into our service Susan (name changed to conceal identity) came to our shower site. Marion Smith, our Site Supervisor, greets Susan and ask her if she wants to register for a hot shower. She replies, “I need a pair of shoes instead.” Susan was looking for a shoe to keep her warm and dry in this cold season. Marion went to look for her size from pile of shoes. He comes with a smile and shows Susan few. Susan quickly picked a pair of pink boots and went right away to try it. However, she was struggling to try it as she has some sort of disability limiting her free movement. Marion steps forward to help her put the shoes providing heartwarming assistance.

Mercy Holistic Ministry is not only about the services it provides. It is also about the warm caring relationship we build with the people we serve. Susan was grinning ear-to-ear and she felt as if she received the biggest holiday gift. Such an act of kindness is what encourages people to come to our site. It is also a fuel that keeps us going.

It is one thing to provide mobile shower service for our homeless neighbors. It is one step higher to step in to assist them, feel them dignified and valued. It is a heartwarming moment and the smile on Susan’s face says it all.

by Nardos Jiffaro

Ways to Support us

1. Scan the QR code to donate

using your card, Cash App Pay or GPay

2. Send money through Zelle by scanning the QR code or using our email

mercyholisticmhm@gmail.com

3. Make checks payable to Mercy Holistic Ministry

4049 Marconi Ave,

Sacramento, CA 95821

4. Leave a one-time donation on our website homepage on Giving Tuesday button

This holiday season, let us think of our homeless neighbors!

As a founder of Mercy Holistic Ministry, a Sacramento based non-profit organization that provides mobile shower services to the homeless, I believe everyone has something to give. Every act of generosity counts. What you might consider small can be huge to others.

Every Saturday and Sunday, when we are out on the street of Sacramento to provide hot shower services to our homeless neighbors, I feel honored that I can make a difference in the life of someone. We are not only giving shower, but we are also providing clean clothing, personal hygiene kits, food, haircut and counseling. Every week, between 50 to 60 clients get served by our organization. I say we provide dignified holistic services because for a person who has been sleeping on the street or in the car, the feeling of cleanliness and freshness boosts their confidence. It helps them to seek either temporary or permanent solution to the problem they are facing. Though it seems over simplified, I have seen a single shower creating an opportunity for a job interview and leading to a positive outcome.

As one of the few organizations providing such a unique service to the homeless, I am overwhelmed by the recent spike in the number of the homeless population in Sacramento. Estimates show that at least 9,278 people are homeless, and most of them are sleeping outside or in cars, according to the 2022 Point-In-Time Count.

While we need a comprehensive approach to respond to the issue of homelessness at large, we want to continue to serve where we can make a difference with an act of kindness. A dignified shower service and clean clothing lightens a day of a homeless person.

To continue what we do, we need your support and encouragement. I invite you to sponsor a shower or two for people experiencing homelessness. A sponsorship of a single shower costs $50. You don’t have to be a grand giver but can generously share what you have. Let us build a world upon love, care, and generosity.

By Berhanu Didanu

Founder of Mercy Holistic Ministry

Ways to Donate

1. Scan the QR code to donate

using your card, Cash App Pay or GPay

2. Send money through Zelle by scanning the QR code or using our email

mercyholisticmhm@gmail.com

3. Make checks payable to Mercy Holistic Ministry

4049 Marconi Ave,

Sacramento, CA 95821

4. Leave a one-time donation on our website homepage on Giving Tuesday button