


Terry Cullen
Jan 24, 2023
The Netherlands, United States, South Africa
Categories:
Homeless, Housing, Shelter, Non-profit
Get to Know is an occasional series by im4u.world that spotlights organizations globally that are making a positive impact.
According to their website, “Sheltersuit is a place where people work together with thoughtfulness and dedication, creating products that help ease the symptoms for people experiencing homelessness.” The Sheltersuit Foundation has offices in The Netherlands, the United States, and South Africa.
The sheltersuit is a wind and waterproof jacket with an optional sleeping bag attachment to provide immediate shelter. It includes a jacket, sleeping bag, and duffel bag. Workers stitch the coat from a tent-like breathable material, and it has a large hood to shield the wearer from rain and street lights. The jacket also has an integrated scarf. Other features include wind and waterproofing, deep pockets, and an opening in the bottom to move around easily. The inner lining of the coat is upcycled sleeping bags. Former refugees make sheltersuits for the organization. (Forcibly displaced people often lack the skills and face language barriers when entering the job market. Companies can help refugees integrate more readily into society with these programs.)
Sheltersuits also makes a product called shelterbags. The shelterbag is a portable, sheltered bed that rolls up into a bag. It is waterproof, lightweight, and has pockets for personal items. It has a built-in mattress, pillow, and room for an extra sleeping bag. There is an integrated tent pole to keep it standing up, providing a little more space and some added shelter from the rain. Both products have breathable material that dries quickly both inside and out.
Sheltersuit has a unique fundraising program called Sheltersuit Sleep Out. The program challenges you to sleep outside for one night (it could be your garden or balcony, you choose the location) to experience homelessness. The idea is to simulate the difficulty a homeless person faces each night. Ask your friends and family to sponsor you to raise money for Sheltersuit. One sheltersuit costs USD 60, and the goal is to raise at least USD 300 to fund five sheltersuits.
Homelessness is a global problem. Sheltersuit states that 150 million people are experiencing homelessness today, and both affluent and modest-income countries experience homelessness. According to BScholary.com, the top 10 countries with the highest number (not rate) of homeless people are Nigeria, Egypt, Indonesia, China, Haiti, India, Zimbabwe, Honduras, Germany, and the United States.
Consider hosting a sleepout with your friends and family to raise money for homeless programs in your community or other organizations, such as Sheltersuit. Homelessness is a complex problem, and it is a difficult life for anyone experiencing it. Sheltersuit helps to ease that pain and suffering, one person, one sheltersuit and shelterbag at a time.
Please visit the links below to learn more about Sheltersuit, donating, and hosting a Sheltersuit Sleep Out.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash.
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Catalog #:
0123.100.04.012423