About Sunnyside Shower Project
Sunnyside Shower Project was established in January 2021 as a project of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association out of conversations between housed and unhoused neighbors. Many unhoused people living in Sunnyside, a neighborhood in Southeast Portland, identified the need for a safe and reliable place to shower and maintain their hygiene. Since then, the Shower Project has grown to provide not only showers, but also toiletry items, laundry cards, clean clothes, food, and other support. We are now an independent Oregon nonprofit, fiscally sponsored by Southeast Uplift (SEUL).
Our Approach
We’re a grassroots, volunteer-powered mutual aid effort. Join us to build community with neighbors — both housed and unhoused — practice mutual aid, support harm reduction, and be part of a collective effort where every shower, toothbrush, and connection matters.
How It Works
The Shower Project originally offered showers on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. As interest grew and our volunteer team expanded, we added Saturday afternoons as another shower day. Each session includes seven 25-minute reservable shower slots and a waiting list for additional 25-minute showers. We typically offer 15-20 showers through this combination of scheduled appointments and drop-in opportunities.
Volunteers play a key role in making the project possible. They greet guests as they arrive, clean the bathrooms after each use, organize and solicit donations, de-escalate situations when necessary, and connect unhoused neighbors to other services when possible.
Our Community
Our doors are open to all. Whether you’re a guest, a volunteer, or a neighbor who wants to support our mission, there’s a place for you at Sunnyside Shower Project. Together, we create a welcoming, supportive space where dignity, care, and connection are at the center of everything we do.”