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The Empowerment Plan: Veronika Scott's Winter Coat for Detroit

By Core Jr - November 1, 2010

in Object Culture | Social Impact | Fashion Design

Veronika Scott, a junior at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, has embarked on a quest to help over 32,000 homeless Detroiters by providing them with something basic, but much needed: a winter coat. The problem of the immense number of homeless is exacerbated by the lack of funding for proper shelters, leaving half of them out in the cold. As Scott points out, "for those who have no home, their coat is also their shelter," so rather than just clothe those in need, she's developed a hybrid shelter and garment—the coat turns into a sleeping bag, using body heat captured during the day to provide extra warmth at night.

The Element S coat is made from Tyvek and wool, simple enough to be made by first time sewers, and, in fact, designed to be. Scott hopes the production of these coats will teach people new skills, help them find employment, and inspire a sense of pride.

Though one of a number of garment/shelters recently designed for the world's homeless, this one's already found a foothold towards becoming a reality, with Detroit-based Carhartt acting as a sponsor. Thanks to the added support of Cass Community Social Services, Matthew Arnold, Jody Turner and CCS, the Element S coat is beginning production now. You can help with the first 25 by donating money, materials, or purchasing a jacket for someone in need. Starting in December, the coat and other items will be available for general purchase, with all proceeds going towards Veronika Scott's Empowerment Plan.

Comments

Rick

11 years ago

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Is there a vehicle where others can contribute?
Have you considered making this a national movement?
Is there a direct contact method to you?
Cheers - Rick
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Sheryl Anderson-Sommons

11 years ago

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Hi Veronica,just watched you on tv and I am interested in purchasing coats for the homeless here in Birmingham,Al. Please email me more information on how to do this..I would like to start purchasing now for winter giveaway later this year since our winter has already started. I will also be working to get some support groups here to help me purchase. Thank-You
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Phil

12 years ago

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Some folks were asking about details to donate/support the project.

The website is http://www.empowermentplan.org/
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Terry Gay Puckett

13 years ago

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How can we buy your coats to give to the homeless in San Antonio, Texas? I help out with a program here. I know we could get donations to buy some of the coats for the local homeless in our city.
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Hanz

13 years ago

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Veronica: What a great idea! Congratulations for your project. I love it when young people go about their way and bring changes to other people's life. You injected a much needed spirit and encouragement to many people who want to make a difference in other people's life. Too often we get stuck with our own statements: I can't do this, I don't have good network, I don't have enough money, etc. You set an example that if someone can initiate something innovative that can be proved to bring changes to the world, brilliant people, wealthy people, and all of the supports needed will eventually come aboard.

Keep up the good work and God bless.

Much love from Jakarta - Indonesia

PS: To K.Russel: Love your comment: "THIS is why people go to college....to change the world".
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S.Martin

13 years ago

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Would dearly like to make these to donate to the homeless shelters for distribution in my area (Maritimes) They have a winnabego that goes around distributing coffee/sandwiches, blankets, hats/mitts/socks, boots, etc.... to the homeless. I sew a lot and this would be easiest for me as I don't knit. I think it makes much more sense than giving them blankets/.sleeping bags.
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Cara Aley

13 years ago

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Veronika- this is such a fabulous product! We serve a like demographic with www.momsandjobs.com, providing stitching jobs and free childcare to single moms living under the poverty line in Lowell, MA. For many of our products sold we run a 1 for 1 promotion where if you buy one, one is given to a homeless shelter (we just finished a blanket promotion like this). If you need a manufacturer for these products, please do let me know! We'd love to partner. I applaud you for what you are doing.

Best,
Cara
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cheryl planert

13 years ago

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Excellent idea -- thank you! How may we purchase to donate? Friends are asking!!! It's -25 degrees in North Dakota and just heard we actually have homeless!! Also LA wants to know...
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YOYO

13 years ago

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Veronika, this is a really great idea. How could one get in touch with you to help fund or donate for your project?
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Anne in Midland

13 years ago

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Veronika- Fantastic idea! heard the report and told my son about your coat. He will be doing a 2-month field position in Feb-March hiding in the snowy fields of Wyoming waiting to catch mating grouse. I'd love to purchase one for him.
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Swami

13 years ago

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Great job....and thank you for what you did
Heard on NPR that to come up with the design, you spent a lot of hours with people who are homeless to understand them and understand their needs. Can you pls comment / share info on that?
Thanks

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Richard V

13 years ago

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Veronika, have u considered expanding ..?
beyond ur immediate area..I live in Seattle and use tyvek as a building wrap, but u know there is home-less-ness here as well..
I work outdoors in rainy cold weather, not much snow, tho..
Good warm clothing makes all the difference..u inspire me ;-)

may I help?
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Laurel

13 years ago

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This is such a wonderful way to apply your skills! I do some of my own fashion design and I make a lot of hats for the homeless. I'm really excited to know that there are other people in the fashion industry who have made helping others a priority, and your idea is just fantastic. I would love to learn how to make them and gather the materials to make them without having to spend too much money. I live in Austin and would be happy gather a sewing team for my city; unfortunately I don't have a lot of my own money to spend and only have a regular sewing machine. Any suggestions? Thank you!
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- Julianne Plantes
  
  8 years ago
  
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  I live in Austin and would love to start up a team as well! Would you like to exchange information? :)
  
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Eric Canada

13 years ago

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Well done Veronika. Just heard your story on NPR here in Chicago. Fabulous!
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Wendy Hermance

13 years ago

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I'm thrilled. Heard you on NPR. Googled. Interesting that Sarah Palin has picked up on this, considering she and her party are doinga ll they can to give the top 2% who own 90% of America - more, making us all homeless and jobless.I guess the greatest ideas are truly transcendent! Please don't lose your core values.
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K Russell

13 years ago

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You rock! THIS is why people go to college....to change the world. As I watch it snow, it occurs to me that this would be a great idea for an emergency pack in a vehicle.
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misterarthur

14 years ago

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This is really really impressive, Veronika. Congratulations.
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Grace Potts

14 years ago

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A thought about odor build up- I use %100 wool diaper covers, and I only ever wash poop off. So I generally wash them every 6-8 weeks. They don't smell. At all. I'm guessing a %100 wool lining in the coat may have similar advantages.
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VeronikaS

14 years ago

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Totally legit question, just did really understand it initially. Only the outside of the coat touches the ground. The photos above show prototype #3. In the coat that is actually going to be used on the streets, that white tyvek, pictured above, is on the outside and the wool/ other fibers are the interior. Tyvek, or homewrap, a poly-propylene cover nylon, so basically plastic, it can be washed or wiped down with a wet rag. The inside doesn't touch the ground at any time, but will probably build up an odor.
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Sage

14 years ago

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Yvan raises a good point. Streets are dirty places - so if the coat goes from wearing (with the lining on the inside) to sleeping (with the lining being the outside of the sleeping bag), then the observation is a good one.

How does a homeless person with few resources keep both sides of the coat clean enough? Not knocking a great idea - just wondering if you have the answer.
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VeronikaS

14 years ago

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Thank you for the interest! Yvan what is your question? What exactly do you mean by which one? Jack: with the industrial sewing machines that have been donated, it takes about 4-6 hours and it is made up of all straight lines.
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Yvan TEYPAZ

14 years ago

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To help the world is always a good idea, but looking this pictures I see that you have to "roll" yourself in the reversed coat... which one was lying in the city all the day?
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Jack Creed

14 years ago

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Great idea how easy is it to produce
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LD

14 years ago

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Beatiful idea. Many homeless don't seek help on their own via their own pride, preduces, or personal reasons. This idea gives them new hope at finding their own way through life's struggle without being tethered to the bounds of mainstream society.
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