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

Bikes donation and repair for the unhoused

A very special bike give-away and repair event was held on October 29 at the Mercy Holistic Ministry mobile shower site for the homeless in downtown Sacramento. This is the second time Mercy Holistic Ministry has partnered with St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Rocklin to donate twenty-seven bicycles to people experiencing homelessness. Others brought their broken bikes for repair and fix.

Homeless people who are in line for a job interview was given priority to receive the bicycle donations.

Mercy Holistic Ministry is a Sacramento based non-profit organization that provides mobile hot shower services, clothing, food, haircut and counseling for people experiencing homelessness. Mobile shower services are given regularly on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00a.m to 2:00p.m.

Focus on the Homeless Educational and Fundraising event held

Focus on the Homeless Educational and Fundraising event was held on September 24 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Fair Oaks. The event was organized by two prominent non-profit organizations working with people experiencing homelessness, Mercy Holistic Ministry and Bridging Initiatives International.

The theme of the event was ‘Together we can make a difference’ and was attended by over 70 people from all walks of life. Founders of Mercy Holistic Ministry and Bridging Initiatives International spoke about the work of their organizations; the need of the people they serve; shared volunteer opportunities; invited participants to engage and support the organizations. They have addressed the question why anyone should care to respond to the homeless crisis in Sacramento and surrounding cities including the shocking fact that just in the past three years the homeless population in Sacramento has nearly doubled to 10,000 people.

Speaking at the event, Kathie Barkow from Aspire Consulting highlighted, “how housing affordability crisis with rising rents is a major contributing factor to homelessness.” She also said prevention of homelessness requires addressing a wider systemic problem starting from our education and health systems to parenting. She referred to recent studies that tell us that 40% of the homeless population are people with disability or chronic health conditions.

Marion Smith, Site Supervisor at Mercy Holistic Ministry, was a panel member at the event. He underlined, “There is no one-size-fits all solution that addresses the various issues surrounding the homeless crisis. But everyone can decide and be a part of a solution by doing something as opposed to feeling helpless to do anything about it.”

The event was made colorful with live music and sale of different auctions items to fundraise to support the work of the two organizations with people experiencing homelessness.