Nonprofit organization Cloud Covered Streets changing lives throughout the Valley

Robert Thornton, executive director of Cloud Covered Streets, began doing street missions in 2015, handing out needed supplies and t-shirts. Thornton quickly developed friendships with people experiencing homelessness. Through these relationships, Thornton identified the critical services lacking in their lives.

A mobile shower and laundry service trailer makes stops in downtown Phoenix on Wednesdays and two other times a week in Mesa and Glendale to provide showers, laundry services, haircuts, new clothes, fresh food, and hygiene products to those experiencing homelessness. 

In May 2016, Cloud Covered Streets received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status, which exempts organizations from federal income tax and allows them to solicit tax-free donations, among other benefits. According to the non-profit directory GuideStar, Cloud Covered Streets has a total revenue of $778,691 and a Gold ranking as a charity. 

“From starting going out on street missions and meeting and talking to people, I just found out that there was a real need for the services that our mobile laundry and shower trailers provided,” Thornton said. 

Thornton then researched and found other organizations that were providing showers, but he could not find any with other resources like a laundry machine. In order to fill that need, Thornton and others purchased an empty 22-foot cargo trailer and converted it to a mobile shower and laundry trailer in March 2020. 

Once they got the trailer up and running, many people came out to use their services. 

“(There’s) anywhere from 30 people to 70 people that will stop by and use one aspect of our services,” Thornton said. 

Along with the mobile trailer, there are volunteers with Cloud Covered Streets who help provide services, such as MeShell Edwards, a hairdresser who provides her haircutting services with Cloud Covered Streets. 

“It is amazing how a haircut, shower, and a hot meal can just change people,” Edwards said. “I wish I could go out there all the time, you know. I think it is so cool that Robert provides this service.”

Operations Manager Jay Allan said that Bombas, an apparel company that sells socks and underwear, donates to Cloud Covered Streets. 

“Every time someone buys a pair of Bombas, they donate. We are one of the recipients of Bombas; we get so much stuff from them, and it all gets given out, which is awesome!” Allan said.

Most people have learned about Cloud Covered Streets through word of mouth, but the organization has created promotional materials for the venues they visit to spread the word even further. 

“The way we go out is trying to create consistency by being at every location every other week,” Allan said.  

Allan said when summer rolls around, Cloud Covered Streets is going to be at heat respite locations. 

“Last summer was gnarly. The nice thing is that we end up going to places like Sunnyslope that have heat respites,” Allan said. “We just want to let them know that this is a safe space, and we are here for them.”

The schedule calendar and volunteer opportunities can be found on the Cloud Covered Streets website.