Downtown Olympia · A New Nonprofit

Clean is a right, not a reward.

Free showers, laundry, and hygiene access for unhoused and housing-insecure neighbors in downtown Olympia. No ID. No sobriety check. No income screening. If you can reach the door, you're welcome.

The Need

Hygiene is the barrier no one talks about.

Without a place to shower or wash clothes, it's harder to interview for a job, harder to sit with a caseworker, harder to stay well. Downtown Olympia doesn't have hygiene infrastructure built for the people who need it most — so we're building it, deliberately, right where people already are.

01

Showers

Private, dignified shower stalls, open daily, no appointment required.

02

Laundry

Commercial washers and dryers, free of charge, for clothes and bedding.

03

A Place to Sit

An indoor waiting area with charging stations and Wi-Fi — out of the weather, off the sidewalk.

Our Approach

Access without conditions.

Most hygiene programs ask something of you before they'll let you in the door. We built this one differently, on purpose.

No ID required
Paperwork gets lost, stolen, or was never issued. That shouldn't decide who gets clean.
No sobriety check
We serve people as they are, not as a condition of care.
No income screening
You won't be asked to prove you're poor enough to deserve a shower.
Built alongside the community
Designed in coordination with local partners like Union Gospel Mission, not in competition with them.
FAQ

Common Questions

Who can use the Shower House?

Anyone who is unhoused or housing-insecure in the Olympia area. No ID, appointment, or referral is required.

Is there a cost to use the facility?

No. Showers, laundry, and restroom access are always free.

Why don't you require ID or proof of income?

Many people who need this service most don't have paperwork on them, or don't have a fixed address to keep it at. We designed the facility so hygiene is never conditional on proving you deserve it.

How is this different from other services in Olympia?

We're built to work alongside organizations like Olympia Union Gospel Mission, not duplicate them — and unlike some existing programs, we don't screen for sobriety or income before letting someone in.

Is the organization officially a nonprofit yet?

We're in the founding stage: our Articles of Incorporation are filed with Washington State, and our federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt application is in progress.

How can I help?

Reach out below — we're looking for volunteers, donors, and community partners as we get off the ground.

Contact

Get involved.

Mailing Address

123 Happy Ave.
Olympia, WA 98511

Email

melissa.spieth@evergreen.edu

Who We're Building With

We're currently in the founding stage — incorporating, applying for tax-exempt status, and talking with the City of Olympia and local partners. If you'd like to volunteer, donate, or just ask a question, reach out below.

Thanks for reaching out — we'll be in touch soon.

🎓 This site is academic in nature and used for educational purposes only as part of the Team Academy pedagogy at The Evergreen State College.