Today’s post is part of the annual A-to-Z Blogging Challenge. For more information on the challenge and its creator visit:
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com
My theme this year is An Intimate Look at the Homeless and Mental Health Epidemic in America which just happens to be the subtitle of my next book, The Stranger in My Recliner. The book is the true story of, Sophie. She was the eighty-year-old homeless woman that my husband brought home one night. She lived with us for nearly three –years.
I would like you to meet Veronika Scott. She is the CEO and founder of the Empowerment Plan. This beautiful, smart and inspiring young woman has renewed my faith and hope in our young people:
Talk about walking the walk.
Mission Statement– The Empowerment Plan is a Detroit-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the homeless community. 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.
The individuals they hire are trained to manufacture a coat that transforms into a sleeping bag at night, and a bag when not in use. The coats are distributed to homeless people living on the streets at no cost to them through partnerships we have established with outreach organizations in communities around the nation.
They believe in giving second chances to those who want it, and providing warmth to those who need it.
For more information, to write a post to spread the word or to donate:
http://www.empowermentplan.org
24 thoughts on “The Empowerment Plan…”
That’s a great idea–a real practical approach both for the recipients and for the employees. And “Wow” about your life with Sophie. That promises to be an interesting story.
Thank you Karen and I can’t wait to share Sophie’s story.
That’s really impressive, both Veronica, who is the same age as me, and you taking in Sophie.
It reminds me that I need to find some way to be more helpful to the world than I currently am. I guess my struggle is knowing how to start doing something helpful in a responsible fashion.
Thank you! When the passion hits you, you will know what you are meant to do.
Oh, what a fantastic organization. I am relatively close geographically (Ann Arbor) so it’s nice to see this.
he whole state and country should be very proud!
Excellent video, story, and person. I’m going to share this with my pastor. The youth from our church are heading there this summer.
Play off the Page
Awesome Mary, Thank you!
That is such a cool product– I have never heard of it, but it needs big publicity!
I am so impressed with this young woman.
What a wonderful program. Thanks for letting us know about it. There are so many of us trying to make things better in so many different ways…it is good to remind ourselves of that fact.
It is an amazing program and the best part is it is making a big difference in peoples lives.
What a wonderful program! Veronika is doing something special to truly give second chances, and more people need to know about this coat.
Doreen, this is the woman you spoke about at the game, right? What a trooper. What a great organization. What a great way to help those in need. You’re awesome.
What a great org for sure! I was happy to see a new shelter and food kitchen open up in my area it’s badly needed!
Thank you Carolann. It is so sad that it is needed so badly.
What a fantastic program that is truly making a difference in people’s lives. Thanks for sharing this story.
Thank you for reading.
A coat that transforms into a blanket- THAT is a really cool idea! Would also be awesome for children. Maybe they will consider selling them on a website with a percentage going to help the cause or something. Think about it. You are not supposed to buckle an infant into their seat with their jacket on…this leaves you lugging around both a jacket and a blanket.
That is a great idea! My daughter had a special blanket with holes in it for the car seat buckles. I think she got it at Babies r Us.
A coat that can also become a blanket is a terrific idea. And I’m certainly intrigued by Sophie. Looking forward to learning more.
Thank you Roz.
Yes, some time back I remember reading and watching about this. Think before the challenge I probably blogged about it. It’s good they’re in Detroit, as Detroit is one of the worst places in terms of relationships between the police force and the homeless. I mentioned this in one of my posts too…they literally collect them up, and dump them. A virtual kidnapping, very disgraceful practice.
Another company you might be interested in is Mitscoots. They make socks, each pair you buy is a 2 for 1. You get a pair and they donate a pair to the homeless. They hire homeless to make the socks as well.
Somebody else just mentioned the socks to me. I will definitely check it out.