How Protect That Glow Helped Our Unsheltered Neighbors

At ReNew Recovery Café in Florida, many of the people we serve spend every day exposed to the sun with little opportunity to escape the elements. Basic sun protection is often out of reach, making sunscreen and SPF products necessities that are difficult to obtain. When Protect That Glow donated sun safety products and UV-detecting keychains, it created both practical protection and a powerful reminder that our neighbors are seen and cared for.

6/27/20262 min read

3 brown hand with white background
3 brown hand with white background

As the Street Outreach Program Manager at ReNew Recovery Café, I have the privilege of working directly with individuals who are unsheltered and living on the streets. Many of the people we serve spend every day exposed to the Florida sun with little opportunity to escape the elements. Basic sun protection is often out of reach, making sunscreen and SPF products necessities that are unfortunately difficult to obtain.

We are incredibly thankful to Protect That Glow for their generous donation. The SPF lip balms, Nose Coat SPF, and sample-size facial sunscreen were an absolute hit with the individuals we serve. They were genuinely grateful to receive products that help protect their health while they are outside every day. Sunscreen is something we try to keep stocked during outreach, but because of the cost and how quickly it gets used, it can be challenging to provide consistently.

The UV-detecting keychains were also a huge success. At first, many people were simply excited to receive a keychain, but once I showed them how it changes color to detect UV rays and explained what it does, they thought it was even cooler. It became a fun and interactive way to start conversations about sun safety.

One of my favorite parts was being able to share the story behind the donation. I had reached out to several companies—including many of the big brands we all recognize—hoping someone would support our outreach efforts. Protect That Glow was the only company that responded. When I told the individuals we serve that the company was founded by a college student who wanted to make a difference, they were genuinely touched. They thought it was incredibly generous that someone they had never met cared enough to help them.

Protect That Glow’s generosity made a meaningful impact on our unsheltered community. More than just providing sun protection, your donation reminded the people we serve that they are seen, valued, and cared about. On behalf of ReNew Recovery Café and everyone on our outreach team, thank you for helping us protect the health and well-being of some of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors.

— Street Outreach Program Manager, ReNew Recovery Café