San Francisco,unofficially regarded as one of the homeless capitals of the US,counts nearly 6,500 homeless people, with 4,300 living on the street.
Among the many problems that the homeless face is little or no access to showers.San Francisco only has about 16 to 20 shower stations to accommodate
them.But Doniece Sandoval has made it her task to change that.
“Homelessness is something you can’t really miss,”the 51-year-old woman said.She started Lava Mae,a sort of showers on wheels, a new project that aims to turn old city buses into shower stations for the homeless.
“One day I passed a woman in the street and she was very dirty and basically crying,and I heard her say that she would never be clean.But I was wondering what her opportunities were to actually get clean,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval was inspired to start Lava Mae. The project has already been welcomed with open arms in the city.The Transportation Agency has donated one bus for the cause and is willing to donate three more if the project succeeds.Sandoval hopes the first bus will be able to hit the road in May this year.The Public Commission has also agreed to let the buses plug into fire hydrants(消防龍頭)around the city if Lava Mae pays for the water.
One of Lava Mae’s biggest supporters is Bevan Dufty, the director of Housing Opportunity, Partnerships & Engagement under the mayor of San Francisco.“For people who are unhoused,access to showers is very difficult.Shower buses are something that could potentially be deployed (部署)in response to an emergency,so it is relevant to all San Franciscans," Dufty said.“Doniece has done an incredible job as a citizen who cares about helping the poor.We are very excited to see Lava Mae become real soon.”
Each bus will have two shower stations and Sandoval expects that by 2015,they’ll be able to provide 2000 showers a week.
小題1:What problem does San Francisco face according to the text?
A.The city has the most homeless people in the USA.
B.There are no shower stations for the homeless in the city.
C.It’s hard for homeless people in the city to take showers.
D.Few citizens in the city care about the homeless.
小題2:What does the underlined word ''them” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.City problems. | B.Shower stations. | C.Old buses. | D.The homeless. |
小題3:Which of the following best describes Doniece Sandoval?
A.Brave and independent. | B.Caring and responsible. |
C.Honest and determined. | D.Friendly and humorous. |
小題4:What can we learn from Dufty’s words?
A.All San Franciscans are excited to use Lava Mae. |
B.Emergencies in San Francisco will be prevented by Lava Mae. |
C.Dufty thinks highly of Doniece's way of helping the poor. |
D.The mayor of San Francisco will support Doniece financially. |
小題5:What can be a suitable title for the text?
A.A newly invented way of shower |
B.Showers on Wheels for the Homeless |
C.The health problem of the homeless |
D.Lave Mae-a new name for old city buses |