VOICED : Lava Mae shower bus cleans homeless in San Francisco

Lava Mae, founded by Denise Sandoval, transforms decommissioned buses into mobile shower and toilet services for the homeless. Inspired by a homeless woman's plight, the nonprofit aims to restore dignity through hygiene. The service provides up to 130 showers daily, using fire hydrants for water. Funded by Indiegogo and Google, Lava Mae highlights hygiene as a public health issue. The organization plans to expand across the US and globally, addressing homelessness as a societal challenge.

What inspired Denise Sandoval to start Lava Mae?

• A personal experience with homelessness

• A documentary on homelessness

• A homeless woman expressing her desire to be clean

• A government initiative

What facilities does the decommissioned bus provide?

• Only showers

• Bathrooms with toilets, sinks, and showers

• A kitchen and sleeping area

• Only toilets

How does Lava Mae source water for its showers?

• Using fire hydrants

• Through rainwater collection

• From nearby rivers

• By purchasing bottled water

What is the broader challenge associated with homelessness according to Bevan Dufty?

• It is a challenge for society as a whole

• It is a challenge that can be solved by technology

• It is a challenge only for large cities

• It is a challenge that only affects the elderly

What is Lava Mae's ultimate goal?

• To help the homeless reintegrate into society

• To provide free meals

• To provide temporary shelter

• To offer employment opportunities