Archangel Raphaels Mission Inc.

Hygiene and dignity are human rights, that's why we need your help to continue providing access to our services

In case you’re the TL:DR type; two of our most important assets: our truck and barbershop have experienced some emergency repair needs. As we look to close out our biggest season yet strong, we are asking for your help in supporting our emergency repairs with a $30 donation!

We are Archangel Raphael’s Mission (known as ARM for short). For the last 10 years, we have been providing access to health and hygiene services to anyone in need across central and north Jersey in a way that honors the dignity and agency of all. Our two primary operations focus on the novel needs of access to showers and bathrooms and access to haircuts.

We believe dignity is a right for all. A shower or a haircut can instantly change how we feel about ourselves, but we’re aware of the fact that houselessness, lack of water access, lack of funds, and emergency situations make it so that not everyone can engage in these basic forms of personal care.

This realization inspired us to build and launch our mobile shower unit. It’s a trailer containing two bathrooms with a sink, toilet, and shower each. We can tow and park this unit just about anywhere to present our guests with a streetside spa-like experience. Last year, we followed that up with our mobile barbershop. This is another similar trailer that houses everything needed for professional volunteer barbers to provide haircuts, shapeups, and styling services to keep our guests feeling fresh and looking great.

We believe that everyone deserves the ability to look and feel good about themselves.

Of course another vital part of our operation is our truck/trailer combos that allow us to bring services to the places our guests can access easily.

This summer has been the pinnacle of our work, providing dual deployments of our barbershop and shower unit all across the state. To date this year we have had nearly 300 visits, where guests can grab a shower, haircut, fill their water bottle, grab a toiletry kit, or just hang out for some pleasant company. To help us close out this season strong; were asking you for your help in managing some emergency repair expenses we’ve had over the last few weeks.

The issues we’re having include:

The mobile barbershop got a flat on the New Jersey Turnpike, costing $500 for emergency repairs.

The brakes on the mobile barbershop were also affected on that trip which is an additional $300.

The truck we use to tow both trailers presented with engine AND transmission problems on our return from our most recent event (white smoke pouring from engine and jumping shifting). The truck is currently sitting at the mechanic. The mechanic shared it may not be covered under warranty, which could be north of $5000.

Because the truck is at the mechanic, we need to rent a truck for the remaining month or more of service, which will run us at least $2000.

While we budget to have some reserves for emergency repairs and the like - this is above and beyond what we were expecting this year. As a result, we’re asking our supporters and partners to help to raise $3000 (100 people giving $30) which will cover our immediate truck repair/rental needs that we need to finish out the season.

If you’ve been on the fence about supporting ARM’s mission - now is the time! Your gifts today will help provide the most urgent of repairs so we can meet the most basic of needs. Also for those interested in making direct and/or monthly donations to sustain our work, you can visit www.arm.gives/donate to process a one time, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual donation!

Anything raised above our $3,000 goal during this campaign will go to covering any further maintenance or repairs on the rigs.

Hygiene is a human right, it's time we act like it.