Clean Start expands services for unhoused in Northern California

Community News

Martinez, California, Foundation
Pastor John Gregg (front) moderates the ribbon cutting ceremony; (L to R behind the ribbon) Marathon Petroleum Community Action Partners (CAP) member Darrell Foote; Mrs. Carey Gregg; and CAP member Curt Swanson; General Manager Chris Staats; Concord City Councilmember Laura Nakamura; MPC Community Relations Representative Nichol Carranza; CAP member Barbara Scoles; Mike Sponsler, representative for California Assemblymember Tim Grayson; Pittsburg City Councilmember Shanelle Scales-Preston; and CAP member Jim Blair.  

Key Points

  • The Clean Start program in Contra Costa County, California, added a second mobile shower and bathroom trailer to provide the unhoused with essential services like showers.
  • The Clean Start program provided over 2,700 showers in 2022 and aims to reach 4,000 in the coming year with the new trailer funded by a grant from Marathon Petroleum.
  • Clean Start partners with Contra Costa County Healthcare for the Homeless, improving access to health services and helping individuals secure housing.

Clean Start, a homeless outreach program run by The Bay Church in Concord, California, has added a second mobile shower and bathroom trailer to support the unhoused in the area. Volunteers provide hot showers, clothing, food, water and other resources to those experiencing homelessness. 

(L to R) Darrell Foote, Nichol Carranza; Jim Blair, Chris Staats; Barbara Scoles and Curt Swanson at the ribbon cutting event.

“This second trailer allows us to help more people,” said Paul Long, MD, Executive Director of Clean Start. “In 2022, we provided just over 2,700 showers. We hope to increase that to more than 4,000 showers next year. Clean Start also provides community and friendship for many people who are often ignored by society.”

In August, Clean Start celebrated the addition of its new mobile shower and bathroom trailer, which was funded by a grant from Marathon Petroleum.

The new mobile shower and bathroom trailer provides the unhoused with essential services like showers and a bathroom.

“We provide funding for programs that promote the resiliency of our shared communities, including helping to address basic needs; and it’s a basic human need to be clean,” said General Manager of the Martinez Renewables facility Chris Staats. “The work that this program is doing in the lives of others is admirable.”

Clean Start works closely with Contra Costa County Healthcare for the Homeless Program. The partnership has increased the number of people experiencing homelessness who seek health services. Additionally, Clean Start reports that multiple people who have used their services obtained housing.