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‘If this place wasn’t here I don’t know how I would’ve survived’
— Sherman Gillins
The Jean Kim Foundation’s (JKF) Hygiene Center in Lynnwood is here to stay.
Edmonds-based European travel guide and philanthropist Rick Steves announced at an event Wednesday at the hygiene center that he purchased the property the center sits on shortly after learning of plans to close it.
“I vividly remember what it’s like as a kid backpacking around the world to need a shower,” Steves said at the event. “This is a place that gives countless people that are down and out a shower.”
Sherman Gillins, a guest at the hygiene center, said there aren’t many places that treat guests as well as the center does. He said it’s good to see people show support for the center.
Although Gillins has been spending most of his days at local warming centers as of late, he said the hygiene center is a gathering and meeting place, and that it helps people “stay human.”
“I’m going on my second year here,” Gillins said. “If this place wasn’t here I don’t know how I would’ve survived.”
The hygiene center has provided more than 50,000 showers to people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity since it opened in 2020. Guests can eat a hot meal and have access to clothing, essential needs and case management services.
The Jean Kim Foundation has been using the building rent-free for the past five years. The building used to be an emissions testing facility.
The My Neighborhood News Group (MNNG) reported Nov. 10 that the hygiene center was closing due to circumstances beyond its control. MNNG learned on Nov. 14 that there were plans to sell the property, and that the Foundation was looking for a host site.
On Nov. 25, MNNG reported that an anonymous donor – now known as Steves – committed $2 million to buy the building, and that the Foundation needed to raise $500,000 because the total price came out to $2.5 million.
Roughly two weeks after the fundraising announcement, the Foundation told MNNG on Dec. 12 that the foundation raised close to $400,000. Some of the donations came from out of state, including Oregon, Montana, Texas, Michigan, Indiana and Florida.
At the Dec. 17 event, JKF Executive Director Sandra Mears gifted Steves a suitcase cover with yellow rubber ducks on them. Some attendees also ate white cake with the words “fait accompli” written in red icing.
The following officials spoke at the event: State Rep. and Snohomish County Councilmember Strom Peterson; JKF Board Chair Ted Haase; Hazel Miller Foundation Board Chair Maria Montalvo; Verdant Health Commission Board Secretary Carolyn Brennan; and Father Matthew O’Leary of St. Thomas More Parish and Holy Rosary Parish.
Mears said Millennia Ministries sends a big order to the hygiene center every Monday so there’s a stock of snacks and fruits, among other foods. The Edmonds Food Bank also helps supplement items guests can take throughout the day.
O’Leary said 115 members from St. Thomas More Parish and Holy Rosary Parish help serve hot meals at the hygiene center.
One of Gillins’ favorite meals so far is casserole.
“Today’s news about this building and the continued stability of this program is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together to support what matters,” Brennan said.
Angelica Relente is a Murrow News Fellow covering housing and related issues in South Snohomish County for the My Neighborhood News Network. Contact her at angelica@myedmondsnews.com.
Wonderful! I’m so happy it will remain accessible to those in need. Bless you Mr. Steves!!!
What a wonderful outcome! Rick Steves consistently demonstrates what using your powers for good looks like.
It also shows what being a “Christian” should look like.
Great news.
Bless you Rick Steves!!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Rick for your continued support to help others.
Yay Rick! I do love the ability he has to “relate”. Remembering (from his teenage years hiking around Europe) how much he appreciated the opportunity to get a shower and clean up. We’ve probably all experienced this at some time in our lives, regardless of what our circumstances might be. Rick reminds us about walking in another person’s shoes .
It is heartening to know, in these dark times, there are people like Rick Steves in the world.
What a blessing Rick Steves is in this community! An example for all of us.
Rick Steves is amazing. What a blessing for our community! Thank you, again, Mr. Steves.
Rick Steves – “Whatta man, whatta man, whatta man, whatta mighty good man!”
Well put Virginia. Now what America really needs is about 10,000 more Rick Steves and not one more Elon Musk; of which it feels like there are way too many.
Amazing! What a great story. Thanks Rick & those who donated.
Blessings to Rick, such a valuable citizen in our community. You continue to share your wealth and values with those in need. We need more people like you. I share your memories of needing a shower when backpacking and exploring the world.
The center is an oasis of warmth in this cold, cruel world.
If only more of the successful entrepreneurs in our area (or the world) would follow Rick Steve’s generous example of how to use their money for the benefit of those that need a helping hand, how wonderful that would be. He is such a great person and I’m proud that he’s a local community member.
Yay Rick Steves! What a wonderful outcome. I’m so happy about this, and to all of us who donated to the cause to keep the hygiene center open.
The “Feel Good ” reality we need to read today! Thank you!
How absurd is it that in the richest country in the world we have millions not only without health care (and millions more about to lose it), but millions without access to affordable housing, nutrition or even basic hygiene? All because we value billionaires and their needs over everything else. Thank you for Rick Steves for all you do! Now let’s focus on making the billionaires pay their fair share in taxes, and let’s rebuild our country.
Rick That was very kind of you. You are a very generous man. I didn’t travel in Europe when we were both in our hay days ha but I did hitchhike all over Colorado and in Boulder one summer I did find myself in the need a shower situation. I had to ask a stranger and their long haired freaky people friends. ha the song remember…So I went to their crash pad ha and was able to shower and wash my long long hair and it felt so great. Fritz the Cat was playing at the local Boulder theater (remember that the movie) anyway I was a little nervous to go to these strangers home but it turned out fine but this that you have saved with the help of others is a place with no fear. I like that. I don’t know you personally, but I do respect you and maybe someday we can toast a bud together. 🙂 Deb
Good news, Rick Steves! You do good work and I hope it all continues.
What a great holiday gift to the community. Thank you, Rick Steves!
This is so heartwarming. The true meaning of Christmas is shining through thanks to Rick Steves! Thank you for all you do, along with other donators.
St Vincent de Paul volunteer
Rick Steves,
It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday at the event! Thank you for your extremely generous donation, and for all you’re doing to help those in our community less fortunate than many of us! God bless you!
Mel Nason
Chief Cycologist
HOLY SPOKES Bicycle Ministry
Lynnwood
Hi Mel, I am Peter Glick another wanna be cytologist. I offered to set up a formal bike repair program at the Jean Kim Center and Sandra Mears suggested I contact you to discuss the best way to move forward. I read about your work with kids bikes and I love what you are doing. With the available space at the Center I believe we could do some great stuff for a lot of needy people. I look forward to meeting you.
Call me: 206-499-5343 or peterglick123@gmail.com Thanks
Thank you, Hugely, Rick, for this and for other causes you have supported. Providing opportunities for those with income insecurity is doing what we are called to do. In these times, when those without permanent jobs, or in non-life supporting jobs need places to prepare for interviews, and a welcoming atmosphere. I hope other successful business people will follow your lead and support organizations, like this one, in their communities who provide a helping hand to those whose lives have been interrupted, disrupted, or upended. We are so lucky to have you in our community and in our world.
We are truly blessed to have Rick Steves in Edmonds. He works tirelessly in his volunteer efforts to help others, especially those in need. He is a very successful businessman and understands the power of working for the common good in society. I applaud his generosity.
A good guy. I never met him but always heard he was decent. It shows. We don’t need more stuff. We need more love and understanding.
Love plays out in many ways. Thank you so much, Rick.
What good news! Thank you, Rick Steves.
Good gosh i cannot put into words how healing this is for humanity. This act of kindness is immeasurable. I cant believe this really. Compassion and empathy goes a long way, even if it is never reciprocated.
A generous and much needed service. Thanks
Echoing the thank you to Rick Steves, and also to MEN, the Jean Kim Foundation, and all its supporters. It’s because of local news that this situation with the hygiene center and the building owner selling the land got on Rick’s radar. I’m so relieved this community resource can stay open and hopefully get some much needed building improvements!
Thank you, Rick Steves, for your undying compassion and ongoing generosity for our community and beyond! God bless you!
Thank you Rick! Great role model for everyone giving in ways that we are able to do so. Whether it be time, spreading the word about the need, donating, volunteering, and more.
This is wonderful. Hopefully more folks experiencing homelessness in other areas who don’t have access to hot showers will hear about this and come to Lynnwood. I hope so at least!
I’m looking forward to when we rename a street to Rick Steves Boulevard.
God bless Rick Steves for his kindness and generosity.
To borrow from Charles Dickens:
“it was always said of him, that he knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive possessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us, and all of us! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless Us, Every One!”
Adding my thanks to that of so many others. Rick Steves, you have taught us to be travelers, not tourists, and now you show us another shining example of how best to do good in the world. Thank you.