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The
individuals
hired
manufacture
a coat
designed
to meet
the
needs of
those in
the
homeless
community.
The
durable
EMPWR
Coat can
transform
into a
sleeping
bag at
night or
an over-
the-shoulder
bag when
not in
use.
(Photo
by HB
Meeks/Tell
Us
Detroit)
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Warm
winter
coats
for the
nations
homeless
made in
Detroit
DETROIT
- The
Empowerment
Plan is
a
Detroit
based
nonprofit
organization
focused
on
permanently
elevating
families
from the
generational
cycle of
homelessness.
We hire
single
parents
from
local
shelters
and
provide
them
with
training
and
full-time
employment
as
seamstresses
so that
they can
earn a
stable
income,
find
secure
housing,
and
regain
their
independence.
The
individuals
we hire
manufacture
a coat
designed
to meet
the
needs of
those in
the
homeless
community.
The
durable
EMPWR
Coat can
transform
into a
sleeping
bag at
night or
an over-
the-shoulder
bag when
not in
use.
Since
2012, we
have
provided
employment
to 50
homeless
individuals—all
of whom
have now
secured
permanent
housing
for
themselves
and
their
families
—and
distributed
over
25,000
coats to
those in
need
across
the
world.
Our
founder
and CEO,
Veronika
Scott,
was
inspired
to start
The
Empowerment
Plan
when a
class at
The
College
for
Creative
Studies
in
Detroit
challenged
her to
create a
product
to fill
an
actual
need in
her
community.
Veronika
took to
the
issue of
homelessness
and
began
spending
time at
a nearby
warming
center
where
the
design
for the
EMPWR
coat was
born.
While
conducting
her
research,
Veronika
was
angrily
confronted
by a
homeless
woman
who
stated
that she
did not
need a
coat—she
needed a
job.
This is
the
moment
that
shaped
the
innovative
business
practices
The
Empowerment
Plan
would
adopt
upon
establishment.
The
Empowerment
Plan is
predominantly
supported
by
donations
from
private
individuals,
large
corporations
and
foundations.
We also
would
not be
able to
accomplish
all that
we do
without
the help
of local
organizations.
The
Coalition
On
Temporary
Shelter
(COTS)
assists
us with
employee
recruitment
and
childcare
needs.
As our
employees
successfully
transition
from
homelessness,
Humble
Design
provides
our
seamstresses
with
appropriate
furnishings
and
amenities
for
their
new
homes.
Partners
such as
Mercy
Education
Project,
Level
One
Bank,
COTS,
and
2-Way
Communications
LLC
provide
our
seamstresses
with
on-the-clock,
supplemental
programming
including
GED
courses,
financial
literacy
classes,
professional
development
seminars,
and
more.
We
are
committed
to
growing
our
impact
beyond
Detroit
and
believe
our
model
can and
should
be
replicated
in
communities
near and
far. By
scaling
our
Detroit
program,
we are
creating
a
workforce
from a
population
many
overlook.
Homelessness
should
not be a
life
sentence.
During
#Giving
Tuesday,
a global
day of
giving
back
fueled
by
collaboration.
We are
participating
in the
Crowdrise
Holiday
Challenge
and
today,
with
your
support,
we can
win up
to an
additional
$35,000!
Your
gift
will
allow us
to
distribute
even
more
sleeping
bag
coats
around
the
world.
Our goal
is to
raise
$125,000
so we
can
#spreadthewarmth
to 1,000
more
people
in need
this
winter.
Breaking
the
generational
cycle of
poverty
is not
an easy
feat,
but it
is
possible
with
your
support.
We thank
you for
your
ongoing
generosity
and wish
you a
very
warm
#GivingTuesday!
Campaign
Link:
http://crowdrise.com/empowermentplanholiday18.
Campaign
runs
through
Jan.
2nd.
For
every
$50
donation
you will
be
entered
to win
an EMPWR
Detroit
Swag Bag
including
a
t-shirt,
sweatshirt,
mug and
more!
Looking
to get
involved
in a
bigger
way?
Once you
are on
our
campaign
page,
click
"Join
the
Team" to
start
your own
fundraiser
for
Empowerment
Plan.
Whether
you
raise
enough
to
sponsor
5 coats
or 500
coats,
it all
makes a
difference!
Facebook:
Empowerment
Plan
(https://www.facebook.com/EmpowermentPlan/)
Instagram:
@empowermentplan
(https://www.instagram.com/empowermentplan/)
Twitter:
@empowermentplan
(https://twitter.com/empowermentplan)
Contact
Erika
George
at
erika@empowermentplan.org
or
(248)229-6999
with
questions.
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