Homeless people to get stab-proof coats that turn into sleeping bags amid  growing violence | The Independent | The Independent

Woman Makes Coats-cum-Sleeping Bags By Hiring Homeless People

Homeless people to get stab-proof coats that turn into sleeping bags amid  growing violence | The Independent | The Independent

Homeless unaccounted people are an issue every county and every government has to deal with. Most of them are healthy adults who could contribute greatly to the economy if they were made a part of it. But the sheer number of people, which exceeds hundreds of thousands in countries like America, makes it a daunting task according to National Alliance to End Homelessness in America.

Six years ago, Veronica Scott, an industrial design student of College for Creative Studies, Detroit was inspired by the idea of taking up a project that “filled the need” of their city. She worked to make something for this population that was overlooked by all systems and not only economize them but make their lives better in general.

Five months later, she came out with the EMPWR coat- a fully insulated waterproof jacket that could double as a weather-resistant sleeping bag and knapsack. And after her project was over, it did not end. The design continued to develop into the Empowerment Plan- a non-profit organization that hired homeless mothers to work in the making of those jackets.

 

The Empowerment Plan has a mission statement: “Our goal is to help build a better life for those that have become trapped in the cycle of homelessness. We mostly hire homeless parents from local shelters to become full-time seamstresses so that they can earn a stable income, find secure housing, and gain back their independence for themselves and for their families.”

Scott’s decision to hire parents primarily stems from her own childhood when her parents struggled with unemployment and addiction problems and did not have much opportunity. She has not only created a better livelihood for parents and their children, but she has also distributed over 15,000 free coats to homeless people.

In an interview, she admitted to receiving negative feedbacks like “You’re never going to get a homeless person to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, let alone a coat.”

 

But Scott did not let them deter her. She now has 22 employees whom she presents as her strength and assets. She hired her employees after a rigorous interview process to filter out the people who she felt wanted to work and create a better environment for their families. According to Scott, the Detroit Community was very helpful in supporting her. From the homeless to the corporations, everyone came forth to help her with the idea that started it all: to fill the need.

Watch the video to learn more about Scott’s story and see how she has managed to make her knowledge her drive to make this world a better place for all of us.

Homeless unaccounted people are an issue every county and every government has to deal with. Most of them are healthy adults who could contribute greatly to the economy if they were made a part of it. But the sheer number of people, which exceeds hundreds of thousands in countries like America, makes it a daunting…

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