Restoring dignity through hygiene services 2

Restoring dignity through hygiene services

697 Votes
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Insurance Protection Specialists won a $10,000 donation to help Shower Power from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance by reaching their goal of 500 votes + shares. Shower Power provides hygiene services to people experiencing homelessness in Jackson, MS. Congrats to the team and thank you for supporting them!

When most people think about homelessness, two big needs come to mind: shelter and food. But what about a shower? While people experiencing homelessness face many challenges, lack of access to hygiene services is among the greatest. Even when folks can get to a shelter, there’s no guarantee there will be a shower there.

This is what motivated Teresa Renkenberger to found Shower Power, an organization that provides clothing, food, showers and hygiene items to people experiencing homelessness in downtown Jackson, MS.

Bringing self-care to the community

Insurance Protection Specialists (IPS) got involved with Shower Power in August 2020 after IPS agent Clancy Walker, who goes to church with Renkenberger, told her colleagues about the organization’s needs.

The agency had previously been volunteering at Grace Place, a homeless mission in downtown Jackson, but Grace Place closed during the pandemic. Working with Shower Power was a creative new way for the IPS team to continue serving the Jackson homeless population that is near to their hearts.

Restoring dignity through hygiene services 2
Inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?’” – IPS agents donate more than 20 bags of winter clothes to Shower Power in January 2021.

The team quickly got to work, with every single IPS employee getting involved. They made and delivered hygiene packs, held a massive clothes drive and contributed funds to one of Shower Power’s many housing initiatives, helping to house nine people in hotels during two extremely cold winter weekends.

“We’re able to do so much more for the community with the help of Insurance Protection Specialists,” said Renkenberger. “In addition to supporting our focus on hygiene, the team has helped us look toward developing laundry services and expanding our housing support programs, too.”

“We’re able to do so much more for the community with the help of Insurance Protection Specialists.”

– Teresa Renkenberger, founder of Shower Power

Restoring dignity through hygiene services 3
IPS agent Clancy Walker (middle) and IPS owners Bubba Howell (left) and Chip Jones contributed funds to help Shower Power house nine people in hotels during two extremely cold winter weekends.

Creating new possibilities

Shower Power has taught Insurance Protection Specialists just how impactful access to hygiene services and clean clothes really is. Walker recounted one of their clothes delivery trips to Shower Power in which a client needed a dress she could wear to a funeral the next day. Walker, who had sorted the delivery, knew there weren’t any dresses to offer, but a group text to her colleagues garnered a quick response from agent Bridget Portis. Within an hour, Portis delivered an unworn black and white dress to the client in need.

“Shower Power helps restore people’s dignities in so many ways,” remarked Walker. “Clean clothes, which so many of us take for granted, enable people experiencing homelessness to comfortably have experiences with people outside their immediate communities.”

“Shower Power helps restore people’s dignities in so many ways.”

– Clancy Walker, agent at Insurance Protection Specialists

Restoring dignity through hygiene services

IPS Agent Clancy Walker prepares ice cream sundaes for the Shower Power MS crowd. In addition to the ice cream provided by an IPS client, the agency brought canned food, 2 cases of mosquito spray and 48 backpacks for the homeless who are served by Shower Power in Jackson

An enduring commitment

Shower Power is growing its services to provide more for its communities and respond to more of their needs. For example, the organization used the initial $3,000 contribution it received from Liberty Mutual and Safeco for winning a 2020 Change Agents award to help improve the interior of the building.

As Renkenberger’s friend Benny said to her while he was experiencing homelessness, “More than food, I need a shower.” Shower Power honors that and so much more – bringing hospitality to the streets and helping people feel cared for.

Restoring dignity through hygiene services 1
Clancy Walker (left) presents a 2020 Change Agents award check to Teresa Renkenberger, founder of Shower Power. Shower Power used the funds to improve and make more functional the interior of the building.

To vote, simply share this story using the blue icons to the left, comment below, or both. Every vote and comment gets Shower Power one step closer to a $10,000 donation, which will go toward Project Hope, a housing initiative to provide shelter for clients. Visit Insurance Protection Specialists and Shower Power to learn more.

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Susan Miller
2 years ago

SOUNDS LIKE A WONDERFUL PROJECT

Sandi East
2 years ago

Shower Power does awesome work in our community! Thanks to IPS and to Liberty Mutual!

Anita Sullivan
2 years ago

What a difference this makes to so many.

Joy F. Portera
2 years ago

Thank you Safeco!! Great cause.

Sherrye LaCour
2 years ago

Thanks to Liberty Mutual/Safeco for contributing to such a worth cause. We at Sherrye LaCour Insurance are proud to offer your products to our customers.

Fran Wells
2 years ago

What a wonderful service Shower Power, IPS , and Clancy Walker is doing for the community!

Cindy Ray
2 years ago

We love Shower Power!

Lamonte Anderson
2 years ago

Can y’all please help me to get off the street please I’m homeless

Rebecca McDuffie
2 years ago

We love shower power!!!

Laura
2 years ago

shower power!!

Susan Young
2 years ago

Go shower power!

Grace Dugas
2 years ago

I looooove Shower Power!!!

Becky Hall
2 years ago

Great mission!

Patricia Massey
2 years ago

Thanks for all you do!

Melanie Toups
2 years ago

Love shower power!!! So inspiring

Sharee Mitchell
2 years ago

Amazing Ministry!! Touching so many..in so many different ways!! Can’t wait to watch them continue to grow, love & lead our community!

Lydia Rogers
2 years ago

Great organization! Great idea!!!!

Sara Fullerton
2 years ago

Thanks, Liberty Mutual, for supporting Shower Power! Your contribution will help so many people to have a better day.

Mindy McKay-Morton
2 years ago

I love Shower Power & those who help others while preserving their dignity

Pamela Blalock
2 years ago

Wonderful project!

Matt
2 years ago
L Dempsey
2 years ago

Shower Power meets the needs of people in so many ways! What a worthy cause!

Leslie Coachys
2 years ago

We love Shower Power!

Katie Hatter
2 years ago

IPS is amazing agency that serves their clients and Shower Power serves our community. Thank you Liberty Mutual for supporting Shower Power!

Angie Cook
2 years ago

Shower Power does an awesome job!! They have built a big community of good- hearted people working, donating and/ or praying for the less fortunate. Thanks Liberty Mutual!!

Susan
2 years ago

Thank you so much for all you do for our community Shower Power!

Sandi East
2 years ago

Thank you Liberty Mutual for helping this awesome organization!

Anne Sojourner
2 years ago

Shower Power is a true example of God’s love!

Karen Newman
2 years ago

Shower Power is an awesome ministry!

Haley Crenshaw
2 years ago

We love shower power!

Susan S Smith
2 years ago

Shower Power is making a difference in Jackson, MS. Please support them in their efforts

Patrick Feathers
2 years ago

This is awesome! So encouraging to see local independent agents making an impact in our community. Keep up the great work!

Cherri Porter
2 years ago

thank you for helping our community!

Cindy Smith
2 years ago

ShowerPower is such a wonderful outreach ministry!

Emily Clayton
2 years ago

Thank you for all you do, Shower Power!

Donna Crisler
2 years ago

This is an amazing ministry!

Gerald Wayne Sullivan
2 years ago

Glad someone, Shower Power, is helping the homeless.

Charlotte
2 years ago

Shower Power is meeting so many needs even beyond the showers for the homeless. They are working so hard too ok build relationships and give hope!

Lisa Thomas
2 years ago

Love Shower Power!!

Tyler Armstrong
2 years ago

Shower Power

Paula Werne
2 years ago

Shower Power is amazing and is doing so much to help the homeless community in Jackson!!!

Susan Young
2 years ago

Shower Power rocks

Miller Williams
2 years ago

Love shower power

John Anthony
2 years ago

Shower Power is one of, if not the best, hands on ministry in the metro….it is what we are called upon to do.

Kara
2 years ago

Shower Power

Kellie Saulsbury
2 years ago

We love Shower Power!

Brad Ray
2 years ago

Shower power is the Best

Blakeney McGraw
2 years ago

We love Shower Power!

Beth
2 years ago

Shower power is an awesome ministry

Tom Dowdall
2 years ago

We love be a small part of what Shower Power is doing for the homeless. God Bless you all and your ministry

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