Using mobile hygiene units as an entry point, Maui Rescue Mission connects with unhoused people on their terms.
When Maui resident “Charles” lost work as a contractor nearly a decade ago, he assumed he’d easily get back on his feet. (We are using a pseudonym to protect his privacy.) As a skilled carpenter and Vietnam veteran, he understood self-reliance and resilience better than most. However, when Charles was still unable to find work after several months, he began living in his car. It was a devastating blow for Charles, who prided himself on his strong work ethic and knack for making the best out of difficult times.
Charles became frustrated about his situation and was wary of those who offered assistance. Volunteers from one organization, Maui Rescue Mission, spent nearly six months visiting Charles. Twice a week, they would invite him to their mobile hygiene center five minutes down the road for a shower, to get his clothes washed, and for something to eat. The turning point for him came after his car and cell phone were both stolen, within days of each other. Charles went to the pop-up resource center, where volunteers, including Maui Rescue Mission executive director Scott Hansen, would listen to him.
“People sometimes feel that, if something is being offered for free, there’s some kind of catch,” Hansen says.
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