HOWIE
Introducing HOWIE
Hygiene
On
Wheels
Independence
Empowered
Access to hot showers and clean clothing has always been critical to the health of our homeless community members living on the streets and other places unfit for human habitation.
The need for proper hygiene is now more important than ever, especially for a population who are at especially high risk of contracting COVID-19.
Everyone deserves the basic comfort and safety that comes from equal access to showers, bathrooms, and laundry facilities.
Since the start of COVID-19, many individuals experiencing homelessness have had limited access to facilities with running water and basic hygiene supplies while being at a higher risk of developing hygiene related illnesses.
Howie is the resulting collaboration of:
Phoenix CDS
Home For All Continuum of Care
Heart of Illionis United Way
Central Illinois’ new mobile hygiene unit called HOWIE (“Hygiene. On. Wheels. Independence. Empowered.”) will do more than provide a shower and clean clothes, it will provide a fresh start for those in need. By connecting people to critical resources through the Heart of Illinois 2-1-1 Information and Referral Service and the Phoenix Community Development Services Outreach Program, HOWIE will help move homeless individuals onto a path to stable housing through vital resources such as emergency shelter, case management, mental health services, workforce readiness support, and more.
“With the ongoing response to COVID-19, the Heart of Illinois United Way and our Home for All Continuum of Care recognizes the need for a long-term solution to address the need for easily accessible, safe, and free hygiene for our homeless population. The partnerships we have established to bring HOWIE to central Illinois are the perfect example of how our community was able to collaborate across multiple nonprofit and civic organizations to address a critical need,” Jennifer Zammuto, Heart of Illinois United Way President, said
“Starting late fall, the self-contained winterized HOWIE unit features two complete bathrooms with showers, laundry facilities, and a wheelchair lift. By assisting unsheltered individuals without access to these types of facilities, HOWIE will provide vital services on location throughout the community.
“Wherever there is need, HOWIE can be our first step in providing our population experiencing homelessness with a new level of care that empowers independence, fuels optimism, and improves health – not just physical health, but also self-esteem and mental health. By partnering with the Heart of Illinois United Way and the Home for All Continuum of Care, our outreach program will be able to provide critical support where it is needed most,” Christine Kahl, Phoenix Community Development Services President and CEO, said.