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While driving home after showing houses for Merck Team Realty in the Jackson, Miss., area, REALTOR® Teresa Renkenberger saw a man she recognized, sitting on a bucket turned upside down, beside a stop sign along a busy street. It was Benny, the same man she'd given warm items during a cold front, about six months earlier.
That day she stopped her car, and they struck up a conversation that began a yearlong friendship. Soon after, Renkenberger purchased a sandwich and took time to talk while he ate. “I asked where he lived, and he replied, in a park. I asked where he went to get clean, and he pointed toward a bathroom where he said he splashed water from a sink on himself. He told me he hadn’t showered in a year. That’s when I knew I had to help figure this out,” she says.
That simple conversation was a transformative moment that began a friendship and inspired her to create Shower Power MS, a nonprofit organization that offers free weekly showers for homeless people.
As Renkenberger continued her drive home, inspiration struck. “I thought if someone can put a shower in a camper, someone can put one in a box truck.”
Every Friday, since late November 2019, Shower Power offers a free shower to anyone who needs it in downtown Jackson. A shower truck, located at 836 South Commerce Street, has been retrofitted with two separate shower units, each with their own soap and shampoo dispensers, a mirror, a sink, changing area and hot water. The truck has provided more than 7,000 showers to people in need, according to the organization's website.
Southern-Style Tenacity
Renkenberger pursued the idea with the same doggedness that has helped her navigate other challenges. “If someone says ‘no,’ I simply work harder until it leads to ‘yes.’”
That sense of determination, as well as her mantra always to be kind, were planted early by her late mother, Katherine Byrd, a hard-working waitress, who helped them survive despite not knowing where they would sleep. “She had a difficult time making ends meet, but we never lived outside or in a shelter or car. She always found a place to stay and was nice to everybody.”
Renkenberger’s similar blend of persistence and sweetness spurred broker Carl Merck to encourage her to pursue a career in real estate when she met him while she was selling TV ads. She earned her license in 2002 and continues exhibiting those traits in her work by getting people into homes, “the most important decision most make,” being kind and making connections that touch lives professionally and personally.
After buying a box truck off Craigslist from Kevin Poe, Renkenberger widened her focus to find a sustainable solution for local people who face housing insecurity. The project grew as people in her personal and real estate networks encouraged others to step forward. A client with JH&H Architects donated their services to draw a plan to outfit the truck. Poe did the work and offered a free parking space.
"In getting them clean, we restore their dignity with kindness."
—Teresa Renkenberger
Help also kept coming. One friend provided free counsel to incorporate the nonprofit, while Teresa's daughter, Carley, designed a logo with big blue bubbles.
With towels, soap and her first volunteer, named Deborah Scarberry, Shower Power was ready. Three individuals arrived for showers on the first day, then 12 the first month and soon more than 100 within six months. Now 165 to 185 people queue up to use the truck each Friday.
Showers Lead to a Stream of Services
Showers proved to be just the beginning. When the building adjacent to the truck’s parking spot was listed for sale, Renkenberger bought it and renovated the space to grow the nonprofit’s services. “I’m [an agent who is] a REALTOR® and never pass up a good opportunity to help,” she says.
One woman appeared unannounced to offer pedicures. Others donated clothing and money, prepared lunches and packaged food bags for the weekend.
Renkenberger’s heart filled up. “I thought ‘wow,’ as I watched all these people we serve and all those serving others. Fridays became the equivalent of a street party with prayers offered.”
Soon, faces gained names. Clifford Carter, nicknamed “Prime Time,” had been homeless for five years. Renkenberger put him up in a hotel on a few cold nights. He now has a permanent place to live and supports Shower Power by organizing supplies and providing cleaning services.
“Shower Power and Teresa have changed my life so much. I can only share my gratitude by working hard and being dedicated to the life-changing opportunity she gave me,” he says.
Project Hope Aids Self-Sufficiency
More donations permitted Renkenberger to start Project Hope to sponsor individuals so they can live move into apartments and find work; 28 have done so.
Tina and Charles Elliott, volunteers for five years, sponsored Jon for two years. “His sweet spirit reminded us of our late son, Austin, who died of a fentanyl overdose. We were able to help Jon stop drinking, quit smoking, get a job playing keyboard and move into an apartment. We also helped him reconnect with family before he died,” says Tina, who marvels at Renkenberger’s spirit of encouragement. “You just want to become part of everything she does.”
"We love them right where they are and love them back to life."
—Teresa Renkenberger
A core of 28 volunteers keeps helping. Several have secured 14,000 identification cards for adults who are in need of an ID for job verification purposes. Students from the Jackson Free Clinic check blood pressure, sugar levels and other vitals. On Sundays, a free meal follows church services. An outreach group locates homeless individuals in abandoned buildings and wooded areas throughout Mississippi.
More funds this year permitted Renkenberger to pay an executive director and outfit a warehouse to house 75 in cold weather over 18 nights this past winter.
Since 2019, Renkenberger has helped raise $1 million. Over the last 12 months, she gave 3,000 hours of volunteer time and recruited 30,000 hours from others.
Most importantly, her efforts have led to thousands regaining their self-respect. “So many see people living outside and think they’re all on drugs. Many have mental health challenges or bad luck,” she says. With the help of NAR grant funds, Project Hope will be able to provide shelter for two community members this year, who otherwise wouldn't have a place to live.
Renkenberger prays she can house and help more people, but she is quick to credit others.
“Benny is my angel, who helped me figure it out, and my momma inspires me to keep going and always be nice,” she says.
Teresa Renkenberger, of Merck Team Realty in Brandon, Miss., has helped raise $1 million and has given 3,000 hours of volunteer time, providing 30,000 showers for those who need them.
