Teresa Renkenberger's selflessness is something everyone should aspire to. Growing up underprivileged in central Mississippi, Teresa can empathize with those in our community who are in desperate need of help from others who are more fortunate than they are. "I know what it feels like to have people make fun of you and to look at you differently. I have a big thing for doing everything I can to help those who are underprivileged in a massive way," says Teresa. "Whenever I see someone who is homeless I can't help but engage in a conversation with them. I sit with them, pray with them, I'll ask them how they got there and if they want to get out of that situation and what I can do to make that happen," says Teresa. Teresa was inspired by one of those conversations she had with a homeless man named Benny, in downtown Jackson one afternoon. "I asked him the last time he had been able to take a shower and he told me it had been over a year since he had a proper shower. I could not believe it! It was then I knew I had to do something about this problem in our community." That conversation with Benny planted the seed that would eventually grow into Shower Power, an outreach program that aims to bring dignity to the homeless in the Jackson area.
Teresa knew that she needed to figure out a way to bring showers to those in need, and began working on the Shower Power mobile shower unit after doing a big of research into similar programs in other states. She purchased the first truck she saw on Craigslist from Kevin Poe at Wayne's Body Shop. Kevin Poe graciously offered to help her turn the truck into a shower unit. JH&H Architects also lent a helping hand by creating the blueprints and design for the truck. "The assistance I've received from Kevin and JH&H is really God's blessing. Everyone has been so generous in helping me make this project possible," smiles Teresa.
Addressing the issue in our local community is very important to Teresa. "There is a need right here in Jackson, one does not have to go far to minister to those who are less fortunate; there are so many who need help right down the road." For many, the ability to take a shower whenever they want to is taken for granted every day. "People do not recognize the power behind a shower. That's what we are trying to change with Shower Power. Having the ability to clean up could give someone the confidence to go and get a job and start changing their situation. My goal is small, through Shower Power I want to help one person a year get back to living the life they deserve to live."
Teresa knew that she needed to figure out a way to bring showers to those in need, and began working on the Shower Power mobile shower unit after doing a big of research into similar programs in other states. She purchased the first truck she saw on Craigslist from Kevin Poe at Wayne's Body Shop. Kevin Poe graciously offered to help her turn the truck into a shower unit. JH&H Architects also lent a helping hand by creating the blueprints and design for the truck. "The assistance I've received from Kevin and JH&H is really God's blessing. Everyone has been so generous in helping me make this project possible," smiles Teresa.
Addressing the issue in our local community is very important to Teresa. "There is a need right here in Jackson, one does not have to go far to minister to those who are less fortunate; there are so many who need help right down the road." For many, the ability to take a shower whenever they want to is taken for granted every day. "People do not recognize the power behind a shower. That's what we are trying to change with Shower Power. Having the ability to clean up could give someone the confidence to go and get a job and start changing their situation. My goal is small, through Shower Power I want to help one person a year get back to living the life they deserve to live."
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