Our Board of Directors:
Aracelli Astorga is the Deputy Director for the County of San Luis Obispo Public Library system. Aracelli learned about Shower the People (STP) in July 2019, while she was serving as the San Luis Obispo branch manager, and contacted Gwen Watkins, then STP’s Board President. They shared an interest in creating a new shower site in San Luis Obispo and the library, centrally located, seemed ideal. After getting approval from city and county, STP started offering showers at the SLO library later that summer – and has been there ever since. Aracelli truly appreciates Shower the People and all the volunteers do and wanted to be a part of their effort to bring hot showers to the unhoused throughout the county. Aracelli is honored to be on the board.
Michael Kaplan has worked in the nonprofit community for over twenty years, first as a freelance grant writer and currently as the Community Engagement Director at Transitions-Mental Health Association. In his spare time, Michael writes original musicals for local theaters and performs at storytelling events.
Gary is a San Luis native. He served in the military and worked at Diablo Canyon before retiring. He has been a part of Shower the People since it started in 2018. He is the general manager, overseeing day-to-day operations at all shower sites. He also sits on the board as our treasurer. Gary loves Shower the People because of the visible change it has in people’s lives and their demeanor. He loves seeing the difference before and after they take a shower and knows that he is contributing to the organization that is helping them out. He recognizes that we can’t fix homelessness but knows that we can touch part of it by providing showers. Gary appreciates all of the volunteers that go above and beyond to assist at the showering sites and knows it couldn’t be done without them.
Jean worked in Student Affairs for over 30 years. As secretary, she helps the board by taking minutes and managing all of our paperwork and records. When asked why she decided to become a part of Shower the People, she answered: “I have a strong heart for social justice issues.” Her husband is an international human rights lawyer, so this area of life is nothing new to her. She wanted to serve the community and when Shower the People reached out to her, she knew this was meant for her. Jean thinks this organization is making a huge impact on the community and is happy to know that the work she does for the board is supporting an organization that helps people with what they need. She loves being able to witness people use the showers to be able to go into work and work towards bettering themselves.
Dr. Rawlings is a practicing emergency physician at a rural access hospital, Mee Memorial Hospital in King City. He spent the last five years as faculty with the Family Medicine Residency Program at Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria where he helped to develop a Street Medicine program in Santa Maria, Five Cities areas, and north San Luis Obispo county. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, good food, walks with the dogs, surfing, and playing ukulele.
Scott Hamblin is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of leadership experience and a strong background in complex negotiations, sourcing strategy, and law. Having volunteered for other nonprofit organizations, and as the newest board member, Scott is ready to contribute to the board.