Hearts of Rescue Brings Mobile Showers to Houston, TX
July 16, 2022
Hearts of Rescue brings essential hygiene and care services to Houston, TX
Backstory
Demetria “Dee” Qualls, Hearts of Rescue Founder, noticed that people experiencing homelessness could often get food and spare change, but getting a shower to maintain their hope and dignity was very hard to come by. Dee found that the need was overwhelming, and wanted to add mobile showers as part of Hearts of Rescue’s programming and provide this vital service where it can be reachable for people in need. After hearing about this new plan, Dee’s sister shared a YouTube video about LavaMaeˣ that inspired Dee to reach out and eventually join our 1:1 Mentorship program in November 2021.
How LavaMaeˣ Helped
Dee and the Hearts of Rescue team worked with Amber Wise, LavaMaeˣ Programs & Impact Director, for the next eight months to get the mobile shower up and running. Amber provided guidance on business plan development, connecting them to Moving Waters Houston (another LavaMaeˣ affiliate), and training them on how to deliver Radical Hospitality.
Amber also sent over LavaMaeˣ toolkits with best trailer specifications, public relations management, and fundraising resources.
The hard work of the Hearts of Rescue team qualified them to receive at $10,000 grant from LavaMaeˣ to secure the program’s launch in July 2022.
Service Model
Hearts of Rescue provides weekly shower services with their two-stall trailer alongside five staff and three volunteers.
Hearts of Rescue partners with a local church and barber college to provide haircuts for their guests.
Their future goal is to eventually host their own Pop-Up Care Village every month to bring more care services to help guests get their lives back on track.
