LIVEAromatherapy Portable Showers for the Homeless
Providing Mental Health Wellness and Personal Hygiene by adding aromatherapy at public showers for the Homeless.
What is the primary issue area that your application will impact?
Food insecurity and access to basic needs
In what stage of innovation is this project, program, or initiative?
Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)
What is your understanding of the issue that you are seeking to address?
We know that mental health is a large component that has contributed to homelessness.
Every individual should be able to upkeep their personal hygiene and we believe that providing, not only showers, but also aroma therapy will help improve the mental state of each individual. Aromatherapy has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. It improves mood and self esteem. Homeless people are stigmatized and are perceived negatively through the public eye. We feel that providing this service will have a positive impact on the way people engage with the homeless.
Describe the project, program, or initiative this grant will support to address the issue.
The organization will provide Aromatherapy Portable Showers for the Homeless. The organization will set up 4 to 6 portable showers at Venice Beach three times a week( Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for 4 hours ( 9AM to 1PM). The portable showers will have dispensers of antibacterial aromatherapy body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. A shower mist will be installed where aromatherapy oils (eucalyptus, lavender, etc..) will spray a mist in the shower. A disposable scrubber and towel will be provided along with tshirt, sandals, and underwear.
Describe how Los Angeles County will be different if your work is successful.
If successful, we believe that Los Angeles County will have a cleaner environment and the spread of germs and diseases will be significantly reduced. The public will have a different outlook with the individuals that have participated and have had successful outcomes. Outcomes, such as cleaner appearance, improved self-esteem, and a more positive outlook in regards to improving their quality of life. When we take care of our community and it’s members, we all win, making Los Angeles a much more attractive place.
What evidence do you have that this project, program, or initiative is or will be successful, and how will you define and measure success?
The project is to run for one year. During that time each participant will be assessed on a weekly and or bi-weekly basis. During each engagement, each participant will be measured by their changes in moods, outlook of life, appearance and self-esteem.
We will survey the local businesses, and social services as to their observations of the participants after participating in the showers and aroma therapy.
Our expectation is that a positive change will begin to become evident after a one month period for the majority of participants.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this project, program, or initiative?
Direct Impact: 6,000.0
Indirect Impact: 10,000.0