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The community is invited to celebrate the first year of operation of the Ashland Community Resource Center's traveling shower trailer from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, May 7. The shower is operated by Options for Homeless Residents of Ashland (OHRA), which also operates the resource center in partnership with ACCESS, the Community Action Agency of Jackson County. Cake and refreshments will be served in honor of the “shower power” trailer. “A hot shower is better than a cold wash in the creek,” said Thomas Hecklin, one of the many who have used the services of the trailer. The trailer is available from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the United Methodist Church at the corner of Laurel and Main and on Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:15 p.m. at the Ashland Emergency Food Bank next to the ACRC on Clover Lane. “If you are homeless, a shower can make an amazing difference in your health, your outlook and your ability to tackle whatever you need to survive and get back on your feet. Our guests glow when they come out — and it is not just because of the soap and water,” explained Leigh Madsen, the ACRC director. In addition to the showers, ACRC has provided services to 780 individuals including community referrals, warm clothing and computer access for job search. In the first year of operations, the ACRC helped 31 families find a home who were living in a tent, vehicle, under trees or in a shelter and has helped 14 people find jobs. Madsen credits the center’s accomplishments to its 39 volunteers, who donate their time at the center or the showers, and to the city of Ashland, as well as to parent organizations, ACCESS and OHRA. Local churches, businesses and residents also provide support.