A Tucson nonprofit celebrated the launch of a new mobile shower unit last week, giving unhoused residents access to clean facilities funded by a UnitedHealthCare grant.

God's Vast Resources invited local leaders and community members to the May 7 ribbon cutting, giving attendees a look inside the unit, which includes three shower and sink stalls.

The unit has been up and running for a few weeks, with founder Debbie Struble saying this is just another way for the nonprofit to help with Tucson's growing population of unhoused individuals.

"We feel it is our biblical responsibility to care for people," Struble said.

For Struble, that includes food, water, clean clothes and basic hygiene, which she sees as a major barrier to employment for unhoused people.

"(This) was just the logical next step for us," Struble said.

God's Vast Resources provides clean clothes and warm food to unhoused residents out of its center on East 22nd Street.

The nonprofit's first attempt at setting up a mobile shower was less than stellar, according to Struble, and involved an old RV.

With only one leaking shower, five minutes of hot water and little privacy, the group knew it could do better. It just needed the funding.

The nonprofit applied for a grant through UnitedHealthCare Arizona's Community Action Program and after several weeks, the funds were approved.

John Hilyard, who is currently in unstable housing, said free and easy access to hygiene matters.

"It's convenient to take a shower without having to purchase the supplies," Hilyard said. "The old RV was always out of commission, so (it was) hit or miss."

Hilyard said he's been coming to God's Vast Resources for food and clean clothes for over a year. He said being able to shower, shave and brush his teeth is a luxury he can't always afford.

"It's been nothing but a blessing," Hilyard said of the new mobile shower unit.

The unit has been stationed outside of God's Vast Resources, but the group is hoping to deploy it to other locations and has discussed parking it outside of other nonprofits.

UnitedHealthCare sees the investment as part of a broader mission.

"Healthcare goes well beyond just providing services through doctors and nurse practitioners," said Steve Chakmakian, a physician and chief medical officer for UnitedHealthCare Community Plan of Arizona. "It's addressing health related social needs that have an enormous impact on health outcomes."

Poor hygiene affects more than social interaction — it can turn a minor cut into a serious infection.

"Our reinvestment in this is really to try and help address those social needs," Chakmakian said. "These health related social needs are life needs."

UnitedHealthCare's Community Plan program works to provide funding to achieve better health and hygiene outcomes. It has previously provided grants to other groups across the state and continues to review applications for future projects.

Members of God's Vast Resources and the community are encouraged to donate necessities including soap, shampoo, razors, towels and any other hygiene products that can help keep the unit up and running.

Quentin Agnello is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist in Tucson. Contact him at qsagnello@gmail.com.

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