Watch formerly homeless people make jackets that double as sleeping bags

[boingboing]

Originally published at: http://boingboing.net/2016/12/01/watch-formerly-homeless-people.html

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[beep54orama]

Having been homeless, this is seriously awesome.

[MBrody]

I’m very impressed with the homegrown manufacturing that has been coming out of Detroit recently. Detroit Bikes, Shinola and The Empowerment Plan are doing great things.

[Xeiliex]

I see these being re-marketed as Woodsman survival gear.

[gracchus]

They’d also be useful emergency gear to keep in the car in case of a cold-weather breakdown in remote places.

[nimelennar]

For $100, you can sponsor a coat for a nonspecific person or for a specific person through their website.

[Xeiliex]

Capitalism to help the homeless and providing useful stuff? I see some potential here.

[nimelennar]

Right now, I think that they want their output to be directed where it’s most needed. In future, though, maybe they could use the OLPC model: Buy one (at $200) for yourself, and you’re also paying for a second one to be donated to the community.

ETA: maybe the people donating the materials wouldn’t be so happy about that plan, though.