Our Mission, Vision, and Values
Mission:
To build and operate clean and safe shower and laundry facilities where the homeless and others in need in our community can shower and launder their clothes.
Vision:
Provide those in need with a means to a fresh start
Values:
Our Team
The core council of CSL is comprised a diverse group of caring citizens. We are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, atheist, urbanites, suburbanites, students, teachers, retailers, consultants, and more. We come together with the compelling vision of doing good and repairing the world. We welcome all to share their talents and compassion as we address the needs of the most vulnerable.
Board of Directors
Patty Doerr, Luke Mattson, Vince Moore, David Pernick, Janet Ray, Kelly Scheu
Founding Members
Jean and Roger Bajorek
Operations and Administrative Associates
Kashira Dowridge and Early Dorris III
History
It all started when…
a diverse group of volunteers saw an opportunity to provide additional services to the guests of Manna Meal Soup Kitchen, housed in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.
In January 2015, this group of volunteers joined together to create the vision of providing those in need with a means to a fresh start. After 3 years of planning and fundraising, the project broke ground in 2018.
Corner Shower and Laundry officially opened in February of 2020, and has been serving the Detroit community ever since.
Founding members of Corner Shower and Laundry: (L to R) Art Gabhart, David Pernick, Sue Goldsmith, Janet Ray
The floorplan created by John Bigger from Integrity Building Group.
CSL Board Member Janet Ray picks up the City of Detroit Construction Permit and Drawings.
Our Strategic Allies
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
St. Peter's Episcopal Church provides a home within their Parish Hall for the Corner Shower and Laundry to serve the homeless.
St. Peter’s describes itself as a “welcoming, inclusive, Episcopal/ecumenical/earth-based congregation that practices communion as neither pretty nor perfect but open to all of us to show up as we are. We are participatory, active, loving, and committed to the often uncomfortable challenges of inner and communal spiritual growth.” We are so grateful to St. Peter’s for the strong support and sponsorship they have provided and continue to provide.
Manna Community Meal
Manna Community Meal is also located within St. Peter's Episcopal Church, and provides meals for approximately 120 guests daily, 5 days a week.
Manna Community Meals has served the homeless and others in need in the Corktown area of Detroit for more than 40 years. Its mission is to offer sanctuary from the harsh realities of the street and to foster human dignity. Manna Meal is affiliated with Day House Catholic Worker and is co-sponsored by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The soup kitchen is co-managed by Fr. Tom Lumpkin and Marianne Arbogast.
Important Contributors
More special thanks to… Abida Blaze, Ana Escober, Barron Dumpster, Curtis Bryant (People Helping People), DS Architects, Inc., John Bigger (Integrity Building Group), Madonna University School of Social Work, Knights of Columbus, M Laundering, Michigan State University, MRA Construction, Murphy Brothers Plumbing, Paul Corrado (Corrado Construction), Robert Arens, Cal Poly SLO (Department of Architecture), Rotary Club (Birmingham), Sachse Construction, Stacy Gittleman (Detroit Jewish News), Three Lyons Creative, University of Michigan School of Social Work.