Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunny Chen
Sunny, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2022, after witnessing the devastation caused by flash floods, my life took a new direction. My community had organized a Christmas drive to support the affected area, and during this event, I met a young boy whose request for undergarments and basic sanitary products—rather than the usual toys and gadgets—broke my heart. It was a stark reminder of the reality of hygiene poverty, something that isn’t often discussed but affects millions globally. As I dug deeper into the issue, I learned that millions of people die each year from hygiene-related illnesses that could be prevented by something as simple as soap. This eye-opening moment planted the seed for what would become the ReSoap Foundation.
What began as a local effort to address a specific need has now evolved into a national initiative. ReSoap Foundation was created to fight both hygiene poverty and climate change, and to date, we’ve donated over five thousand hygiene items to organizations across Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and more. One of our proudest moments was organizing a Dental Kit Packaging Event at my high school, where we assembled dental kits and sent them to underprivileged schools in Chicago. These kits not only provided essential hygiene products but also helped educators teach children about the importance of oral hygiene and gave them the tools to smile confidently.
Looking back, this journey has shaped me into a proactive leader, driven by a sense of responsibility to make a difference in the world. ReSoap has allowed me to merge my passion for social justice and environmental advocacy, igniting a lifelong commitment to creating meaningful change.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to building ReSoap Foundation has been anything but smooth, and there have certainly been challenges along the way. When I first started, I was a high school student with no prior experience running a nonprofit. The uncertainty was overwhelming, and I thought I needed to have every single detail mapped out perfectly before I could make any real progress. This mindset led to a lot of over-planning, and whenever something didn’t go as expected, it felt like a failure. It took me some time, but I eventually learned that adaptability was key. Allowing ReSoap to evolve organically as I grew and as new opportunities emerged was essential to our success.
Another major struggle was the inevitable setbacks that come with running any organization—events that didn’t pan out, projects that fell through, or just times when it felt like progress was slower than I had hoped. At first, these setbacks were hard to handle, and I would get discouraged. But over time, I developed resilience. I realized that challenges are part of the process and that pushing through those difficult moments is what allows you to grow. Resilience became a cornerstone of my leadership approach, helping me turn setbacks into lessons and keeping me focused on the bigger picture.
Lastly, one of the biggest obstacles was figuring out how to build a community of people who believed in ReSoap’s mission. It wasn’t easy at first, but I quickly discovered that the power of community is unmatched. ReSoap’s success wasn’t solely because of my efforts—it was because of the volunteers, ambassadors, and supporters who rallied behind our cause. Building those relationships and creating a sense of shared purpose among people from different backgrounds and locations was vital in expanding our reach.
The journey hasn’t been smooth, but every bump in the road taught me something valuable. The key to navigating these challenges has been adaptability, resilience, and community-building. Embracing those qualities allowed me to turn obstacles into opportunities, and I would encourage anyone starting out to do the same.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about ReSoap Foundation?
At ReSoap Foundation, we are dedicated to addressing two major global challenges: hygiene poverty and climate change. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our mission is to bridge the gap between those with access to basic necessities and those without, while also promoting sustainability. What sets us apart is the breadth of our work, divided into three core initiatives: Project ReSoap, Project Re: Soap, and Project Four R’s.
Project ReSoap is our digital advocacy arm, where our ambassadors engage in meaningful research and discussion on healthcare and environmental topics through our digital magazine and podcast. We provide a platform for these passionate voices to share their insights, bringing attention to critical issues like global hygiene challenges and environmental impacts. Project Re: Soap is where our hands-on work begins. We organize donation drives and assemble hygiene kits for underserved communities, ensuring that those in need receive essential hygiene products. Whether it’s providing personalized hygiene kits to homeless families or empowering women by destigmatizing menstruation, our impact is felt directly by those we serve. Project Four R’s focuses on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through trash cleanup events and secondhand donation drives, we aim to reduce waste and encourage a more sustainable lifestyle. We want to make it easy for people to contribute to a healthier planet while also helping those in need.
What makes ReSoap truly special is our commitment to uniting people from all walks of life. Our initiatives have touched lives in diverse ways—through dental education for kids, book drives for students, clothing donations for individuals in need, and even by providing phones for underprivileged schools through a Meta grant. Each act of service is more than just a donation; it’s a symbol of shared humanity. What I’m most proud of is how ReSoap has grown into a platform that not only drives change but also sparks conversation. Our podcast and digital magazine explore a wide range of topics, from hygiene issues in developing nations to the environmental impact of celebrities like Taylor Swift. This diversity of content reflects the broad reach and passion of our organization.
And we’re just getting started. As we continue to grow, we’re excited to explore new ways to make an impact—whether through hosting more hygiene kit events, organizing secondhand clothing drives, or diving deeper into conversations about global sustainability. ReSoap Foundation is more than just an organization—it’s a movement. We welcome anyone who shares our passion to join us on this journey of making the world a better place.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Looking back, the most important lesson I’ve learned on my journey is the profound power of resilience. When I first started the ReSoap Foundation as a high school student with little experience, I was immediately met with the daunting reality of launching a nonprofit. At times, it felt overwhelming. I remember countless instances when things didn’t go according to plan—events that fell through, projects that failed to gain traction, and moments when progress seemed painfully slow. Each setback felt like a personal defeat, and I would often find myself questioning whether I was cut out for this path.
However, over time, I began to understand that resilience is not just about enduring hardship; it’s about transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. It’s a muscle that strengthens with use. I learned to embrace setbacks as part of the process rather than as roadblocks. Each challenge became a stepping stone, teaching me invaluable lessons about flexibility, innovation, and the importance of a positive mindset.
For instance, when our first hygiene kit packaging event didn’t attract the number of volunteers we anticipated, I could have easily felt defeated. Instead, I decided to reach out to my network, share the story behind our mission, and inspire others to join us. This not only increased participation but also helped forge connections that would prove vital to our future initiatives.
Resilience taught me that it’s okay to stumble as long as you get back up and keep moving forward. It encouraged me to adapt my plans when necessary, recalibrating my approach instead of abandoning it altogether. I discovered that every challenge comes with a lesson, and those lessons have become the building blocks of my growth, both personally and within ReSoap.
This journey has instilled in me a belief that every setback is an opportunity in disguise. It’s a reminder that we can all weather the storms that life throws our way if we approach them with a mindset of determination and adaptability. I encourage anyone starting on a similar path to embrace resilience as a guiding principle. Let it empower you to keep pushing forward, even when the going gets tough. Remember, it’s not just about reaching the destination; it’s about the growth that occurs along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://resoapfoundation.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/resoapfoundation/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resoapfoundation
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1urQvGx7U4o8xrqRbudQIR
Medium: https://medium.com/@resoapinvolvement
