SARASOTA – Streets of Paradise, a nonprofit group aiming to raise awareness of the reality of being homeless on the Suncoast, provides haircuts and showers to those in need, Sunday.
“Everyone deserves a shower to feel good to feel clean,” said Greg Cruz.
Cruz, Co-Founder of Streets of Paradise, organized the first of its kind mobile shower event in Sarasota. “That could be the difference between someone feeling motivated to really get up and go and try to better themselves and we just try to provide that,” Cruz said.
Volunteers cooked breakfast and provided essential toiletries as well as free haircuts. Jennifer Nipper has been living on the streets for 20 years and is thrilled to get new clothes and a fresh haircut.
“This is very joyful very exciting and very, very loving people,” Nipper said.
Nipper says she is on the path to bettering herself and says events like these help out the homeless community. “It makes you have a good experience in your life, it makes you happy and makes you feel better about yourself,” she said.
Streets of Paradise partnered with Showered and Empowered, who provide shower trucks for those in need. Executive Director Christina Jenkins says she now plans to bring their service to the Suncoast.
“I believe everyone deserves a shower it’s a basic need. It also helps with cleanliness it keeps germs; it has a lot to do with their health and wellness also,” said Jenkins.
Streets of Paradise plans on hosting free showers and haircuts every last Saturday of the month. For more information on how to volunteers or donate you can go on their website streetsofparadise.org.
