Our Story: Almin Zolotic and The City Shower
In the midst of personal turmoil, Almin Zolotic found himself on the streets after a painful divorce. During this challenging time, he faced a basic human need that was impossible to fulfill: access to a shower. In response, he conceived the idea of The City Shower—a vital initiative aimed at providing showers for those living on the streets.
Almin’s journey began in 2020 when he realized the pressing need for hygiene facilities for the homeless. “Everyone should be able to wash themselves,” he believes passionately. His vision is to create a network of accessible showers across the country, offering dignity and hygiene to those in need. However, despite positive feedback from community leaders and entrepreneurs, bureaucratic hurdles delayed the opening of the first facility.
His own experiences on the streets shaped his mission. Following his divorce, Almin struggled to find stability, bouncing from friend to friend until he eventually found temporary shelter in a vacant school. There, he faced the harsh reality of washing himself using water from a cola bottle. Having fled the Bosnian War as a child, he believed he had endured the worst. Yet, he states candidly, “I would rather experience another war than go through that hell again.”
The City Shower aims to provide accessible showers for all who possess a special pass distributed by healthcare institutions and partner organizations. However, Almin quickly realized that the centralized government system had failed many in need. Frustrated by the inefficiencies and obstacles, he decided to take a decentralized approach. Drawing on his background as an IT programmer, he developed a system that allows individuals to obtain a free access pass which can be used through a network of partner organizations (NGO’s, churches, gyms and fitness centers). This innovative model not only bypasses bureaucratic red tape but also allows people in need all over the world to access the City Shower platform.
Almin’s drive stems not only from personal experience but from a deep-rooted disdain for injustice. He reflects on his life, recounting how his daughter’s severe health issues forced him to take on a caregiver role, which led to losing his business and ultimately his marriage. These struggles culminated in his homelessness, leaving him with no means to see his children.
After much persistence, Almin and his supporters found a location at Tropicana, a former tropical swimming paradise, where the first City Shower facility is now set up. Though it remains unused due to access restrictions, it stands as a tangible testament to Almin’s dedication.
Today, Almin has found stability, living in a studio and working in the ICT sector. Yet his dreams extend far beyond his own situation; he envisions a City Shower in every major city in the Netherlands and beyond. He is motivated not just by a desire for social justice but also by a personal legacy. “One day, my daughters will Google my name. I want them to see that I stood up for what is right and that I did not abandon others for my own benefit.”
With each passing day, Almin’s resolve grows stronger as he fights to ensure that everyone has access to the dignity of a shower. His journey is a powerful reminder of resilience and the capacity for change, inspiring us all to contribute to a more compassionate society.