The city of Detroit has been known for its high rates of poverty, homelessness and joblessness. One young entrepreneur decided to create a solution for the numerous homeless in Detroit. Michigan gets very cold during the winter and many homeless are left on the streets if they don’t find a spot in a shelter for the night. American social entrepreneur Vernonika Scott is the CEO and founder of The Empowerment Plan. The Empowerment Plan is a Detroit-based non-profit organization that creates coats that also double as sleeping bags. The coat unfolds to reveal a warm, insulated sleeping bag. During the summer, the coat can also be folded up and a strap is created out of the arms so it can be easily carried. Veronika has done amazing things with her entrepreneurship skills, and she’s only 26 years old!
The mission according to their website is:
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.
Not only does Veronika’s company help the homeless by supplying them with coats/sleeping bags, but her company even employs the formerly homeless! (All of the workers at The Empowerment Plan have since found homes.)
To watch a video about the good work that The Empowerment Plan is doing in Detroit, click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo-kvh1w60w
As winter approaches, stay warm, Detroit!
Wow, this is a very interesting idea! I love how he thought of this idea. He saw a real issue and did what he thought best to solve it! I like the design of product. I think it could also have many uses!