Citrus College students build second solar-powered shower
Two years after the first Shower of Grace was built, Citrus College students have nearly finished constructing a second solar-powered shower that will help even more unhoused communities in Southern California.
Since its inception, Shower of Grace has sought to address critical hygiene needs in underserved communities, while also providing users with food, clothing and haircuts.
In 2023, Citrus College students worked with other volunteers, including some from Hillside LA church and CSU Los Angeles, to build a trailer containing solar-powered showers that could be used throughout Orange County.
With this second project, architecture and engineering students are tackling the entire project themselves.
Tommy Reyes, Citrus College architecture instructor, has been involved with Shower of Grace since the beginning. He said the current group of students has been working on the project for more than seven months.
"It shows great heart and dedication for these students to volunteer their time," Reyes said.
The main difference between the two trailers, Reyes said, is cost. Some of the parts on the first one were custom-made and, as a result, more expensive. For the second trailer, students are using prefabricated equipment that is much more affordable.
Once completed, the trailer will be used by churches to help unhoused communities in Los Angeles County. In Reyes' eyes, the project is a powerful experience for students.
"It encourages them to think critically, design sustainably and always use a human-first approach," he said. "It also teaches empathy and showcases the power of education to serve humanity."
In addition to filling a regional need, the solar-powered showers are less demanding on the environment. Beyond harnessing the power of the sun to heat the water, the showers utilize a greywater system that collects the leftover water, which churches can then use to water their gardens.
"Shower of Grace demonstrates how architecture can serve both people and the planet," Reyes added.
As the project is nearing completion, Reyes said he and fellow Citrus College instructor Mariano Rubio are grateful to the students who have helped make the project a reality.
"We look at these students as heroes for taking on such a huge project in addition to balancing school, work and their day-to-day lives," Reyes said.
This article originally appeared in the June 2025 edition of the Citrus View.