Skoolie Shower Program
Our staff & volunteers
Honoring Our Team
At the Skoolie Foundation, every act of service begins with the hearts and hands of our staff and volunteers. They are the reason we are able to bring showers, meals, shelter, and hope into our community. From early mornings to late nights, they show up with compassion, dedication, and resilience.
We are proud of our entire team—every driver, barber, outreach worker, volunteer, and supporter—because together, they make our mission possible. Without them, there is no Skoolie Foundation. With them, there is hope.
Empoerment Bus- Pierce County
A First-of-Its-Kind Mobile Hub for Dignity, Safety, and Hope
The Empowerment Bus is more than a mobile hygiene unit—it is a safe space, a place of dignity, and a pathway toward self-sufficiency for our most vulnerable neighbors. Originally designed as a refuge for women and LGBTQ+ community members between addresses, the bus was created to address a heartbreaking reality: individuals from these demographics are statistically 3–4 times more likely to experience assault when using public restrooms or showers. Many avoid them entirely, choosing instead to go without basic hygiene because safety feels out of reach. The Empowerment Bus changes that.
Purpose & Mission
Our mission is simple but powerful: restore dignity, build confidence, and open doors of opportunity. By providing private showers, hygiene kits, clean clothes, and barber stations, the Empowerment Bus helps guests feel seen, respected, and cared for. Beyond hygiene, it serves as a hub for outreach, connecting people with case management, job opportunities, and community resources that guide them from crisis to stability.
Innovative Design
The Empowerment Bus is a one-of-a-kind innovation—engineered to be 100% mobile, sustainable, and off-grid. Its features include:
- 300-Gallon Fresh Water Tank – ensures multiple showers daily in any location.
- Filtration & Recycling System – reuses and purifies water to maximize efficiency and reduce waste.
- Solar + Propane Power – fully off-grid operation, making it versatile and eco-friendly.
- Private Shower Suites – safe, dignified spaces with changing areas.
- Two On-Board Barber Stations – providing haircuts that restore confidence and create human connection.
This engineering makes the Empowerment Bus a first of its kind in the nation, setting a new standard for mobile outreach.
Why It Matters
Cleanliness is more than comfort—it’s confidence, health, and hope. A shower can mean the difference between showing up for a job interview or retreating in shame. A haircut can restore dignity and inspire self-worth. Most importantly, the Empowerment Bus is a safe haven for those who often feel unseen and unprotected.
The Empowerment Bus only exists because of the generosity of donors, sponsors, and community partners. Together, we can expand this program, reach more people, and ensure that every neighbor—no matter their circumstances—has access to dignity, safety, and hope.
👉 You can help today. Partner with the Skoolie Foundation as a sponsor, donor, or volunteer. Your support fuels showers, haircuts, and hope for hundreds of individuals every month.
Hope Showers- THurston county
The Hope Shower Trailer
Restoring Dignity, Safety, and Hope—One Shower at a Time
The Hope Shower Trailer is a powerful expression of compassion in motion. Originally part of the Nurture Hope vision in Olympia, it is now carried forward by the Skoolie Foundation’s Thurston County team as a mission to restore dignity and provide safety to our most vulnerable neighbors.
Every Thursday at the Union Gospel Mission in Olympia, this trailer becomes a beacon of hope for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and anyone who feels unsafe or unseen. Studies show that individuals from these demographics are three to four times more likely to be assaulted in public restrooms or showers—a risk that drives many to avoid them altogether. The Hope Shower Trailer was built to change that reality.
Purpose & Mission
Our mission is to give more than a shower—we give confidence, dignity, and a sense of safety. Each visit includes access to private, secure shower units, hygiene kits, and supportive outreach services that help guests take their next step toward stability. By meeting these critical needs, the trailer serves as both a safe haven and a pathway toward long-term solutions.
Design & Features
The Hope Shower Trailer is fully mobile and built for community outreach. Its features include:
- Five Showers – 4 private drop-in units and 1 ADA-accessible unit for inclusivity.
- 225-Gallon Fresh Water Tank – supports short-distance mobility and operations.
- 300+ Gallon Grey Water Tank – ensures safe transport of used water to proper disposal sites.
- Mobile Resource Support – pulled by a box truck stocked with hygiene supplies and outreach materials.
While it does not recycle water like the Empowerment Bus, the trailer’s design allows for quick fills and drains, ensuring efficient operation wherever it is needed.
Why It Matters
Each shower is more than just hygiene—it’s a reset, a moment of humanity, and a chance to feel whole again. For $25, you can provide that moment. With four showers running every 15 minutes, that’s $100 of dignity restored every quarter-hour. But we cannot do this alone—we need our community.
The Hope Shower Trailer thrives on community support, local business sponsorships, and church partnerships. Together, we can expand beyond Thursdays in Olympia and bring this life-changing service to more days, more locations, and more people in need.
👉 Sponsor a shower today. Your donation of $25 covers one shower, one step toward dignity, and one more neighbor reminded they matter.
Join us—whether through funding, volunteering, or sponsorship—and help us keep the water flowing, the doors open, and the hope alive.