our mobile shower unit
We deliver hot showers, hygiene supplies and human
connection to wherever our unhoused neighbors are. And we do it by practicing radical hospitality.
A shower is rarely just a shower.
For an unhoused person who hasn’t had access to hot water in weeks, the first
shower in months isn’t about hygiene. It’s about being seen as a
whole person again. It’s about privacy, warmth and the small,
ordinary dignity that the rest of us take for granted.
That’s where a relationship begins.
Hot water meets you where you are.
The Dignity on Wheels trailer is a fully equipped mobile shower unit. Four private shower stalls providing hot running water, privacy, towels and wash cloths, soap, shampoo and conditioner and clean clothing where we can provide it.
The trailer travels to encampments, local shelters, libraries, community organizations and community locations across the St. Louis metropolitan area. It brings what’s scarce to where it’s needed most. Regular routes include the Pallet Yard encampment, St. Louis County Library Rock Road and Natural Bridge branchesand our Outreach Center. Visits are scheduled in response to requests.
Every shower is free. Every visit is unconditional. We don’t ask about sobriety, faith, behavior or background. We ask if you’d like a shower. Your answer determines everything that follows.
We Deliver our services to neighbors the world has stopped seeing.
Every Mobile Shower visit follows the same six steps designed so that hygiene becomes a moment of welcome, not a transaction.
Check in at the reception kiosk.
New guests register quickly. Returning guests are welcomed back by name. Once checked in, you’re added to the queue.
STALL ASSIGNMENT
A freshly cleaned, private stall.
When it’s your turn, you’re directed to a freshly sanitized stall — one of four private spaces inside the trailer.
Fifteen minutes of privacy and hot water
A companion leads you to your stall, shows you how to set the water temperature and starts a 15-minute timer. At minute 10, a friendly knock reminds you there are five minutes left to finish.
Check out and a quick survey
On your way out, a kiosk asks a few brief questions to help us serve you better next time. Used towels go in the laundry basket and are picked up by a volunteer for washing before the next route. And your stall is immediately cleaned and sanitized for the next guest.
With every shower and every guest, we deliver the same care and dignity, every single time.
finding the trailer near you
WHEN
Dignity on Wheels operates April 1 through November 15 each year. When the weather turns dangerous, the program transitions to Winter Safe Haven, the same team following our neighbors’ needs through the seasons. During the season, routes run throughout the week at rotating locations, typically late morning into early afternoon. The confirmed schedule appears below.
WHERE
Dignity on Wheels travels to a rotating set of locations across the St. Louis metropolitan area. These locations include the St. Louis County Library branches, the Veterans Community Project, MoNetwork and other community outreach sites when requested. Routes also reach encampments directly, including the Pallet Yard community just north of downtown. The current schedule appears below.
WHO YOU’LL MEET
Dawna Kenkel, our Community Outreach Manager and her team will serve you.
WHAT’S FREE?
Everything. Showers, towels and wash cloths, soap, shampoo and conditioner, clean clothing when available and other hygiene supplies are yours.
HOW TO REACH US
For our shower schedule or to request a stop near your community contact
here4you@inexcelsislove.org or
(314) 887-7156.
Community organizations can request service through our form.
Request Mobile Shower at your location →
Dignity on Wheels runs April 1st through November 15th. When the St. Louis weather turns dangerously cold, the same team transitions to Winter Safe Haven They move families from hot showers via Dignity on Wheels in the warmer months to warm motel rooms in freezing months. With two programs and one team, we make one continuous commitment to our neighbors through every season.
Dignity on Wheels schedule
Routes are confirmed for the weeks ahead. Sensitive outreach locations show only the general areas to protect the privacy and safety of the neighbors we serve. To request Dignity on Wheels at your organization or community, use our form.
Volunteer
Dignity on Wheels volunteer teams arrive 30 minutes before route start, help set up the trailer, support showers and conversation and break everything down at the end of the day. Training is provided. Minimum age and background check requirements apply.
Keep the trailer on the road
The shower is always free. It will never cost a guest a dollar, a form or a question about how they ended up on the street. But keeping Dignity on Wheels on the road is not free. Fuel, propane to heat the water, insurance and supplies add up. A single route costs between $700 and $1200 to put in motion. Your gifts are what makes the next route possible. When you give monthly you become the reason the trailer pulls up again next week and the reason a guest steps into hot water and is met, simply, as a person.
Request Dignity on Wheels at your location
Bringing Dignity on Wheels to your community, event, organization or program requires conversation. Tell us about your work and we’ll find the right way to serve together.