Glow Forward: Empowering Communities with Dignity and Access to Care

A Simple Act, A Profound Impact: How Glow Forward is Changing Lives

NATIONWIDE -FEBRUARY 2026 - (USAnews.com) It was a moment of clarity during a routine medical shift when Dr. Kelly Frasier, a resident physician, realized that true health wasn’t just about the body, it was about dignity. While treating patients, she noticed a common theme: many people suffering from homelessness or socioeconomic hardship didn’t have access to basic hygiene products, and that lack of access severely impacted their mental well-being. This observation sparked the idea for Glow Forward, a nonprofit focused on providing personal-care and skin-health resources to individuals facing barriers in their lives.

Since its founding, Glow Forward has evolved from a local initiative into a national movement, empowering people to take leadership in their own communities. Through chapters across the United States, Glow Forward delivers high-impact programs that emphasize the importance of self-care as a fundamental component of wellness, fostering confidence, mental health, and social belonging. What sets the organization apart is its ability to scale its work by encouraging anyone, not just medical professionals, to become a Chapter Lead. In this way, everyday people are able to create local impact while supported by physician-led expertise.

Mission-Driven and Community-Focused: The Journey of Glow Forward

Glow Forward wasn’t just founded to meet a practical need, it was built on a mission to restore dignity and confidence, particularly for those facing homelessness, workforce reentry, and other socio-economic challenges. Dr. Frasier and her team, many of whom are medical students with lived experiences of inequity, were driven by the belief that personal care is an essential aspect of well-being. Without basic hygiene products, individuals often feel invisible, neglected, and disconnected from their communities.

What began as a small donation drive to provide personal care items to shelters has quickly grown into an organization with 85 active chapters nationwide, over 12,000 donations delivered, and partnerships with shelters, community organizations, and medical schools. By prioritizing access over charity, Glow Forward ensures that self-care is not seen as a luxury but as a basic right.

(Photo featuring the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Glow Forward Chapter.)

The pivotal moment for the organization came when it embraced an innovative model of leadership. Rather than limiting participation to healthcare professionals or medical students, Glow Forward invited anyone, regardless of background, to take charge of their own chapter. This open-door policy created an expansive network of local leaders who were passionate about making a difference in their communities. With guidance from medical professionals, these leaders were able to provide support at a local level, empowering individuals to lead with compassion and purpose.

What Makes Glow Forward Unique?

What sets Glow Forward apart from other organizations in the personal-care space is its national reach, evidence-based approach, and inclusive leadership model. The organization’s ability to harness the power of volunteers from all walks of life, while maintaining a strong foundation in medical guidance, creates a unique blend of grassroots activism and professional expertise.

The focus isn’t just on donating products; it’s on creating lasting change in communities. By prioritizing self-care and dermatological health as key components of overall wellness, Glow Forward recognizes that personal care is not just about cleanliness, it’s about reclaiming dignity and restoring a sense of belonging. The belief that "access to hygiene items is foundational to dignity, confidence, and human connection" guides the work Glow Forward does every day.

For those who are leading chapters, the experience is transformative. As one of the organization’s Chapter Leads put it, "Glow Forward isn’t just about providing soap or shampoo, it’s about giving people the tools to feel like they matter, that they’re part of something bigger."

The organization’s credibility is rooted in its partnerships with medical schools and hospitals, where its model is seen as a bridge between medicine and social advocacy. Glow Forward works with dermatology professionals to ensure the distribution of the right products for those in need. This combination of medical knowledge and hands-on leadership ensures that the impact is not just immediate but sustainable.

The Power of Inclusive Leadership: Moving Beyond Charity

Glow Forward’s chapter-based model is one of the most innovative aspects of its approach. Not only do chapters operate on the ground in local communities, but they do so with the full autonomy to address specific needs. Whether a group is tackling hygiene access for homeless individuals or focusing on skin-care education in schools, the organization’s flexibility allows each chapter to make a meaningful impact in their own way.

(Photo featuring medical student, Haily Fritts, OMS3, from Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine.)

As Dr. Frasier explains, “Glow Forward was built on the belief that meaningful change happens locally, when people are trusted to lead within their own communities.” This inclusive leadership model invites everyone, regardless of their professional background, to take the reins and create change from within.

Looking Forward: How You Can Get Involved

Glow Forward welcomes individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in their communities. Whether you’re interested in starting a new chapter, donating supplies, or helping spread awareness, there are many ways to contribute to the mission of restoring dignity and access to self-care.

If you’re looking to get involved, Glow Forward is always seeking people who believe in the power of community-led change. By becoming a Chapter Lead, you can help make a meaningful difference while contributing to a national movement focused on empowering individuals and communities.

To learn more about Glow Forward, how to get involved, or to become a Chapter Lead in your area, visit Glow Forward's official website. Join a network of individuals who are working to bring dignity, confidence, and essential self-care to those who need it most.

About Glow Forward

Glow Forward is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential personal-care and skin-health resources to individuals facing homelessness, workforce reentry, and other socio-economic barriers. Through national chapters, the organization emphasizes dignity, confidence, and mental well-being, empowering communities to lead local change while supporting individuals from all walks of life.

To learn more, visit Glow Forward's Instagram.