We’ve been celebrating some really big things around Patchwork…
Literally…they’re big!
First, our shower renovation is complete, and we’re back to offering daily showers for our morning guests. We held a Patchwork-style ribbon cutting on Tuesday morning, complete with fresh donuts and a blessing.
In his blessing, John asked for God’s presence in the space. John prayed that it will be a place where people can be physically renewed and clean. He also prayed that it will be a place where people can feel emotionally and spiritually renewed and reconnected with their humanity thanks to a good, hot shower.
The new showers have added ventilation, polished cultured marble walls, fresh paint, and a renewed look. They feel light and clean. They’re built to resist mold and to hold up to daily use.
On multiple occasions since the ribbon cutting someone has come into the main office to ask, “Is it true? Are your showers open?” There is jubilation when the answer is yes.
In the first three days of being open, we offered 18 men’s and 8 women’s showers.
We’re grateful to Hasgoe for working with us to make our shower project happen!
Our second big thing is a harm reduction vending machine that is supplied by Matthew 25 and is located in our library.
You may be wondering who is Matthew 25? What does harm reduction mean? What types of items are in the machine?
Matthew 25 is one of our partner organizations, and it serves people at risk for or impacted by HIV or other sexually transmitted infections through comprehensive health care, education, and support while fostering community partnerships to combat stigma and improve overall health care and quality of life.
Harm reduction is a combination of practical strategies and ideas that reduce negative consequences associated with certain behaviors. It’s an approach that centers dignity, choice, and meeting people where they are. Harm reduction does not enable or encourage any specific behaviors. It provides empowerment for people to make healthy decisions for themselves and others.
Examples of everyday harm reduction are sunscreen, bug spray, seatbelts, crisis lines, and designated drivers. Examples of harm reduction that can be found in the new vending machine at Patchwork are several types of kits that allow for safer drug use and safer sex. These supplies help keep people safer and healthier by helping to prevent diseases from being spread.
All of the items in the machine are offered at no cost. We’ve noticed that many people have already begun to make use of it, so it has quickly become a valuable resource.
When Matthew 25 first approached us to ask whether we would host this vending machine, we asked them whether there would be a better location for it that would be open longer hours.
The staff of Matthew 25 replied that while the public hours at Patchwork are limited, the quality of those hours is exceptional. The care with which Patchwork staff and volunteers interact with our guests creates a space that embodies the spirit of harm reduction. Patchwork helps people feel valued and empowers them to make better decisions.
We will bless the harm reduction vending machine as part of Patchwork Central’s worship service on Sunday, May 24.