By Jenny Scott
September 2021
Rev. Steven D. Warren wants to make a difference for the homeless in Chicago. He and other members of St. Paul Lutheran Church and School formed an outreach ministry called “Feeding His Sheep” to do just that. The name comes from John 21:15-17, where Jesus directs Peter to feed and tend His sheep.
The ministry team began by taking some supplies to the tent city under the expressway in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. Though the community appreciated those supplies, one man said, “What we really need are some drawers (underwear).” Another women chimed in saying, “Pastor, it sure would be nice to take a shower.” The other people nearby echoed those sentiments, and that got the wheels spinning in Warren’s head.
When he got home, he jumped online searching for mobile shower units but couldn’t find any in the Chicago area.
Yet, when the team visited the community again in July, to their surprise they saw a mobile shower in the parking lot nearby. “I never saw our church secretary Jeffery Davis move so quickly!” said Warren. “He made a beeline to that trailer to check it out.”
They discovered the unit was made by ShowerUp, a non-profit organization founded by Paul Schmitz and his wife Rhonda in Nashville, Tennessee. Schmitz, who left a 30-plus year career in Christian radio to start the venture explained, “There are resources for the homeless to get meals, clothing and other necessities, but there were few places to get a hot shower and take care of basic hygiene.”
ShowerUp serves communities in Nashville, Huntsville, Wichita, and now Chicago. The unit spotted by Warren and his team is on loan from Nashville, but Schmitz is currently building one for Chicago. Each unit consists of a truck, trailer, and a three-shower suite.
Warren, along with LINC Chicago City Director Lexi Schmidt, had a Zoom meeting with Schmitz the day after they discovered ShowerUp. “I told Schmitz, God put us together!” said Warren. “You’re looking for partners and we’re looking for a shower truck.”
On Sunday, September 19, 2021, Warren and the “Feeding His Sheep” ministry hosted a ShowerUp event in the tent city where the homeless had requested showers. They provided the community with 80 backpacks containing hygiene and sanitary items, underwear, and socks. They also provided pastries and coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. Chi-Care of Chicago provided hot meals, new shoes, as well as some clothing. And, importantly, hot showers were available. In two hours, 28 people were able to take a shower.
“The expressions on people’s faces when they came out of the showers were dramatic,” said Warren. “They said things like, ‘This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.’ One woman said, ‘I feel great, I feel like a lady. That’s how I’m supposed to feel.’”
Also instrumental in pulling together the event was Jon Zindel, chief financial officer at William Blair and cousin of Paul Schmitz. Zindel serves as middleman between ShowerUp and the Chicago area.
Schmitz, Zindel, and Warren have the common goal of providing as many showers for the homeless as they can. Because each mobile unit costs between $80,000-$90,000 to build, this will entail a good deal of fundraising.
ShowerUp’s tagline is “Shower Grace. Hope. Love.” Schmitz pointed out, “Hope is optimism. It says that tomorrow might be a better day. It’s the possibility of a job, housing, freedom from addiction, restoration of relationships, and a brighter future.”
A thing as simple as a shower can provide just that hope.
For more information, visit: showerup.org or linc.org/chicago
WITNESS: Encouraging personal witnessing, congregational engagement with their community, support of our NID partnerships and missions and sharing in a world mission field together.