LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington’s Catholic Action Center is helping keep the homeless cool and providing a place to freshen up this summer.
Catholic Action Center’s director Ginny Ramsey says three times a week a mobile trailer that latches to the back of a pick-up truck is making its way from the center to a central location like Goodwill Industries off New Circle road.
“It’s an opportunity center here on Thursdays. People can come off the street, go into Goodwill, and get necessary services that they need to help them get off the streets,” she said.
Along with essential items like clothing for sale, those who in need can now find the dignity station. A mobile facility with two showers, two bathrooms, hygiene products and laundry, all for free. It’s helping to bring hygiene care to homeless individuals.
As of last year’s Lex Count, a city program that counts those experiencing homelessness one night each year, there were 815 people without homes in this city.
“They can come and not only feel clean but cool off in the weather that we’re in now. We also have some other supplies for them, say if they need new socks or underwear. Well, the community has been donating them, so we can’t promise that every week.” Ramsey said.
Every trip the Dignity Station makes, 300 gallons of water are put into a water tank and then pumped to each amenity.
Volunteers like Dennis Johnson have helped the center with donations like weekly milk and orange juice. Now that he’s retired, he’s helping Ramsey with this project full-time.
Ramsey said, “We needed a vehicle to pull it because it’s very heavy. So we needed a truck that was at least three-quarters of a ton,” he explained. “And I went back to Dyno Nobel, and I asked them what they could do. And so they were gracious enough to donate this vehicle.”
Johnson says this service helps meet people where they are and provides something essential.
“Think about, you know, one of the first things I want to do is take a shower, go to the bathroom when you get up in the morning, and so on. Unfortunately, there are so many people that don’t have that luxury. And so this gives them a little bit of that luxury,” Johnson said.
Ramsey said even though they’re just beginning, other communities are being inspired by the idea.
“Just getting our feet on the ground. But also, they see the great need in their areas for this kind of service. We’ve seen it. This is our 25th year, the Catholic Action Center.” Ramsey said.