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They say “necessity is the mother of invention” and in the case of the EMPWR coats, it couldn’t be more true. The water-resistant jacket, hand-crafted from top quality materials, doubles as a sleeping bag or an over-the-shoulder bag when not in use and is specifically made for those living on the streets.
The brainchild of the Detroit-based nonprofit organization The Empowerment Plan costs only $100 to sponsor, which covers all costs of materials, labor and expenses. With donated materials such as highly-resistant Cordura fabric from Carhartt (the 120-plus year-old workwear company) and upcycled automotive insulation from General Motors, both proud Michigan-founded and based companies, the EMPWR coats are useful as it is necessary.
Founder and CEO Veronika Scott was inspired to start the organization as a student at The College for Creative Studies in Detroit. While researching an assignment to create a product that actually fills a need in her community, she was approached by a homeless woman who said she did not need a coat – she needed a job. This definitive moment shaped the concept of The Empowerment Plan: hiring single parents from local shelters for full-time employment as seamstresses who can earn a stable income, provide for their families and regain their independence, all while making a product that will be a massive help for those unfortunate ones still living on the street.
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