New Milestone Reached
On June 2, 2022 Refresh Shower Ministry reach a new Milestone. We provided the the 2000th free shower to our guests. The Lord has blessed us so much.
Without committed & Caring PAST and PRESENT VOLUNTEERS all this would not be possible. Without committed & Caring PAST and PRESENT VOLUNTEERS all this would not be possible. Thanks to each person who gives of their time. person who gives of their time. Thank you! Thank you
Blessings RMSM TEAM
Time for Celebration
On May 1st, Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry will be celebrating their 3rd Anniversary!
Some highlights:
(1) We are approaching our 2000th FREE SHOWER!
(2) We now have 2 Host Sites: (1) MCC on Gladys Avenue (Every Thursday between 4:30-6:30 pm) (2) The Cabin on Delair Road (Every Monday & Wednesday between 1:00-3:00pm)
(3) One of our very first persons to receive a FREE SHOWER has recently been hired at The Cabin to Oversee the operation. She has come back to the Lord and attending church. In addition, her mother has been hired to do the cleaning for Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry. Imagine: mother & daughter working together and both following the Lord. PTL!
(4) Without committed & Caring PAST and PRESENT VOLUNTEERS all this would not be possible. Thanks to each person who gives of their time.
(5) THANKS TO KING ROAD FOR YOUR PRAYERS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Blessings
RMSM TEAM
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Update on Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry (RMSM) January 2022
Entering Year 2022 I was reminded of the words of Martin Luther King: You don’t
have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. RMSM took their first step
back on May 1st, 2019 when we partnered with Bakerview (MB) church on
Clearbrook Road. They provided a home-cooked meal, clothing, underwear &
socks. We provided the first FREE shower to the Homeless & Vulnerable
Populations. This was shortly followed by partnering with MCC Thrift Store on
Gladys Avenue. At this site MCC provides a free meal & clothing to each guest
while we provide a shower, underwear & socks. We have been at this site every
Thursday from 4:30-6:30 pm.
We are pleased to report that as of December 31 st , 2021 we have provided 1689
FREE showers & nearly the same amount of underwear & socks for our guests.
We are also pleased to report that during the Christmas Season we provided each
guest with a “Blessing Bag’ containing 1 pair of gloves & socks, toothbrush,
toothpaste, comb, razor, soap, mouthwash and a Daily Bread Booklet. It was very
well received.
In March 2020 we took our next step in becoming incorporated, putting us in a
better position for future growth and support opportunities. We are in the
process of becoming a registered charity with the CRA for donors interested in
receiving a receipt for Income Tax Purposes. We are thankful for the support of
King Road MB Church from the start, and are enjoying that continued partnership.
Beginning January, 2022 we have taken another step.
We have an additional new ‘Host Site’, Archway Community Services in
Abbotsford, BC. Archway Community Services partners with other services such
as Abbotsford Food Bank, Abbotsford Restorative Justice, 5&2 Ministries, Drug
War Survivors, Impact & Cedar Outreach.
This site, located at 34561 Delair Road is a new ‘drop-in /warming Centre’
providing snacks, warm drinks & washroom facilities to the Homeless &
Vulnerable Populations. This site also welcomes those who have nowhere to go when the Shelters are closed during the day. We serve at this site every Monday
& Wednesday, between the hours of 1-3 pm.
RMSM is a not-for-profit corporation. None of our many volunteers are paid
including our Committee members.
So while we are extremely excited for this new opportunity of service, our
financial needs have increased accordingly. Can we count on your help?
Please feel free to visit our Website (https://refreshmobileshowerministry.ca) for
more information. For those interested in making a donation, MasterCard, Visa
or PayPal is available or you can simply mail your cheque to: Refresh Mobile
Shower Ministry, 31053 Upper MacLure Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 5J5. For those
interested in receiving a receipt for Income Tax purposes please make your
donation payable to King Road MB Church (RMSM is a ministry of King Road
Church) and attach a note stating that you are making the donation on behalf of
RMSM.
Thank you so very much for your thoughts, prayers & financial support.
Respectfully,
Henry Penner, Janet Janz, Anna Keyes and our Team of Volunteers
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Update on Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry (RMSM) May, 2021
It’s been awhile since we have sent out a newsletter, but we have some great
news to share!
Firstly, since our service to the Community was deemed to be an ‘essential
service’ RMSM has been able to keep going strong. Our team of volunteers
continue to be excited as they serve the Homeless & Vulnerable Populations in
the City of Abbotsford.
As reported in our last newsletter, your prayers & financial contribution have
moved the dream of providing FREE showers to the Homeless & Vulnerable
Populations in Abbotsford to where it continues to be a REALITY! THANK YOU SO
VERY MUCH!
Like everyone else, the past 1 ½ years has been very challenging with all the
restrictions & lockdowns due to the pandemic.
In October 2020 we celebrated our 1000th shower. We were privileged to have
had Mayor Braun, Councilor Ross Siemens, Host Site Co-Ordinator Jane Njogu,
Henry Penner, several of our volunteers & one of our shower guests express their
appreciation for the service that we provide. To date, we have now provided 1300
showers and counting.
On May 6th, we celebrated our 2nd anniversary but due to Covid restrictions we
could only share cakes with our guests & volunteers.
We are currently serving on Thursdays at MCC on Gladys Avenue from 4:30-6:30
pm. In addition to RMSM providing FREE showers, the Host Site also provides the
guests with a hot cooked meal & clothing. Christian literature is also made
available for our guests. Come September, we will again be providing FREE showers for the homeless at Bakerview Church on Clearbrook Road. Once this
pandemic is over, we will be looking for additional Host Sites where we can
continue serving the Homeless & Vulnerable populations with a FREE shower.
Secondly, in recognition of providing the 1000th shower back in October 2020, we
wrote an article for the Abbotsford Times where we had mentioned our need of
purchasing a vehicle to tow the trailer since we had been using a borrowed
vehicle up to that time. We can now say that this need has been met! Wow! On
April 1st, 2021 we were able to purchase a truck from a $27,000 donation received
from the City of Abbotsford through the Federal Government’s COVID RESPONSE
FUNDING. (The funding was specifically for the purchase of the truck – See picture
below of the truck & Shower Trailer)
Lastly, on March 18, 2021, Refresh Mobile Shower Ministry became incorporated
and is in the process of becoming a registered charity. This move helped us
receive the government funding, and will put us in a better position for future
growth and support opportunities. We are thankful for the support of King Road
MB Church from the start, and are enjoying that continued partnership.
Thank you for your interest, prayers & financial support.
Please feel free to visit our Website (https://refreshmobileshowerministry.ca) for
more information or if you wish to donate to this ministry.
Respectfully,
Henry Penner, Janet Janz, Anna Keyes and our Team of Volunteers
Thank you City of Abbotsford for your continued SUPPORT!
February, 2021
Identifying A Need
Homelessness is a reality in Abbotsford. The lack of shower facilities effects hygiene and can cause health issues. This creates a barrier to finding employment and transition out of the homelessness, because Self-esteem and mental health are severely impacted.
Our Solution
We believe that the Refresh Mobile Showers Project is benefiting the homeless people in the City of Abbotsford because everyone in a community benefits when its members are healthy. The shower trailer provides the opportunity for us to connect with people who are homeless and living out of tents or cars. Our aim is to provide free showers to those who are part of the homeless population. Dignity and respect for all people is our value. The Refresh Mobile Showers Initiative has widespread support in the community.
What We Are Doing
Our Refresh Mobile Showers trailer has two compartments; each one has its own private entrance for our guests to access the free showers. A 225 gallon onboard fresh water tank provides the water for up to 20 people. Our guests are all given free socks and underwear. An On-demand propane water-heater supplies the warm water for a comfortable shower. The grey-water flows into the 350 gallon holding tank under the unit. Our trailer is heated by a propane furnace. The trailer has also been used at an Extreme Cold Weather Shelter in the winter months. Heating elements in the tanks keep the water from freezing in the winter.
Partnering
We have reached another significant milestone. In May 2019, we provided our first shower. In October 2020, we provided our 1000th shower. Going forward, we welcome like-minded individuals and churches to come alongside us in making this Ministry a continued reality in our Community. Your support whether through volunteering, praying or through your generous financial giving is greatly appreciated.