Detroit might go down in history as the most determined city in the U.S. After an economic bust left the city with a dwindling population and a dismal outlook, the only news coming out of the northern capital was decidedly gloomy; now, Detroit is flush with positive stories of creative rejuvenation. Designer Veronika Scott is among the citizens looking for ways to get Detroit back on track. Scott noticed that many of Detroit’s homeless opted to sleep in the streets rather than shelters due to a desire for privacy or mental health issues. “There are many reasons why people are homeless, but I could see one thing all of them needed: warmth,” Scott told The New York Times.
Through designing a heavy duty coat that converts into a sleeping bag, Scott hopes to keep people warm in the subzero Detroit winter. The result of a product design class at the College for Creative Studies, the coat has gone on to win awards, even attracting the interest of the Red Cross. Now known as the Crazy Coat Lady, Scott started the Empowerment Plan, working with local businesses and teaching homeless employees how to sew the convertible coats. Through this small-scale effort, Scott is clothing hundreds and helping Detroit’s homeless make the money needed to start over again.
Scott’s coat is a reminder that designers are at their best when they think locally. There is no better way to enact meaningful change than by addressing the problems within your community.
Chappell Ellison is a designer, writer and design writer. She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York where she serves as a contributor for The Etsy Blog and design columnist for GOOD.
3 Featured Comments
Sign in to add your ownGabe and Athena from blueridgewoodworking says: Featured
It does not take much to help someone out. It is not just about giving someone money, it is also about helping them out with ideas or joining together to reach a common goal. If only more people would finds ways to give back to the community and help others. Very inspiring story!
1 year ago
Mori from morij says: Featured
This is amazing. I believe that if we can help locally, even one person, we can change their lives and this in turn has the chance to change many others. Being creative lets people think outside what is going on in front of them and this way of thinking can really become change in our society.
1 year ago
Megan S from DownTheRavine says: Featured
This story speaks to me, not only as a resident of Southeast Michigan but as a pre-social working student and crafter. Detroit can be a sad place, a reminder of a once brilliant and successful city that now has seen better times. But there is a lot of pride here, there is a lot of fortitude.
1 year ago
100 comments
Sign in to add your ownLeanne from thepressgang says:
What an wonderful way to give back to your community.
1 year ago
mycellardoor from mycellardoor says:
That is awesome that she is employing homeless individuals to sew the coats. Sounds like a great design and a great job opportunity for so many.
1 year ago
Emily Lim from shuqi says:
Love the painting.
1 year ago
Lynn from DaOldLadiesCloset says:
This is good work.
1 year ago
www.BlairBarbour.com from BlairBarbour says:
Definitely inspirational!
1 year ago
Rory Mosman from FeatherKeeper says:
This is great. I agree that it is a wonderful way to give back to the community. Nice to be inspired by those helping others. I see so many in my area that could benefit from something like this and it is a relatively small community. There are many reasons that one might be homeless but in almost all cases they can use a little help. Thanks for the post.
1 year ago
Linda from TheHickoryTree says:
Form follows function. That is so fantastic. They did a blurb about it in our local newspaper a while back and it makes you feel good that art can truly help mankind.
1 year ago
RonsJewelry from RonsJewelry says:
Great idea---especially employing the homeless to make them! Hopefully, she'll also design/provide a ground cloth, or outer covering to keep it clean and dry.
1 year ago
Gabe and Athena from blueridgewoodworking says: Featured
It does not take much to help someone out. It is not just about giving someone money, it is also about helping them out with ideas or joining together to reach a common goal. If only more people would finds ways to give back to the community and help others. Very inspiring story!
1 year ago
AJ Marsden from OnlyOriginalsByAJ says:
How inspiring! I'm glad to see people reaching out and helping those who need it :)
1 year ago
Mori from morij says: Featured
This is amazing. I believe that if we can help locally, even one person, we can change their lives and this in turn has the chance to change many others. Being creative lets people think outside what is going on in front of them and this way of thinking can really become change in our society.
1 year ago
Jen Hardwick from redhardwick says:
Great story, thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
Crystal and Mary from RubyChicOriginals says:
Such an inspiring article, topped with a touching illustration. This brought tears to my eyes...thank you for sharing it! All of the elaborate comments are just beautiful as well. -Crystal
1 year ago
Claudia Bogart from bogARTstudiogallery says:
Great designer, Great idea, Great cause, Great!!!!
1 year ago
holly from hollysRecreations says:
Having lived in Detroit and Philly I can tell you this is a truly blessed and much needed project;) Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration to do more to help with our gifts and talents fright in our own backyards! Bravo! blessings holly
1 year ago
Victoria Baker from LittleWrenPottery says:
Great project, its nice to see that people still care about all walks of life in their community!
1 year ago
Lisa Marie - Kimberly J - Renee Jane from BonnetsBagsTreasures says:
What a great idea! What a gesture of caring for the homeless. May your idea be a success.
1 year ago
Megan Weber from Zaheroux says:
Living in Michigan, near Detroit, it is wonderful to see someone giving back and gives me pride in the people who live in this state! Thank you for sharing such a great project!
1 year ago
goodbeads from goodbeads says:
Wow!How magical,I see an Angel on the wall.Greet... However,I am so sad...so sad...I want to cry... Great art!!!
1 year ago
Michael Hutton from Twigs2Whirligigs says:
Always so nice to read about someone helping the homeless. It is a wonderful thing to do! Also employing other homeless to sew the coats. If all of us would do these kind of things, the world would be such a wonderful place for everyone. That is what we are suppose to do, love and care for each other. I have great respect for you Veronica Scott!
1 year ago
Hillary De Moineaux from VoleedeMoineaux says:
Rad-ical!
1 year ago
Lizzie from madefromscratch4u says:
that is extraordinary!!
1 year ago
Ever So Lovely from EverSoLovely says:
This is a such a great way to give back!
1 year ago
Tiffany Patterson says:
This is wonderful. We need those here in Spokane.
1 year ago
Heather Salzman from JoyousCrafts says:
Wow! That is great!
1 year ago
Sylvie Liv from SylvieLiv says:
How very kind!
1 year ago
Debby from DebbysHandmadeGoods says:
Great article! Thanks so much for sharing it.
1 year ago
HandmadeIsAllAround from iammieOWLshop says:
Great!
1 year ago
Drift Forever from DriftForever says:
Wow, This is awesome!
1 year ago
Megan from MegansMenagerie says:
Wow! Very inspiring!
1 year ago
Krista from TheBeadtriss says:
That's really neat! ~KK~
1 year ago
Rachna from ethnocity says:
Very inspiring..the coat turning into a sleeping bag is so creative..
1 year ago
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns says:
This is a really good article. There are a lot of us that are just a check or two away from being homeless it could happen to anyone. It's so important that we all do what we can to help a person when they are in need. We all have to give back.
1 year ago
Janet aka Felton from FeltOnTheFly says:
My home town rocks! We've got our ups, downs, beauty and ugliness, but the spirit of the good people keeps us going, feeling positive and looking to the future. I heart Michigan....
1 year ago
Marcia Lacher from TheMillineryShop says:
It is really fabulous, the power that some people have and harness for the greater good. The picture of the man sitting with angel wings behind him is beyond special. That picture captures what a lifetime of words could not.
1 year ago
Kimberly Estrada from KimberlyEstrada says:
We need her in Vancouver! Happy International Women's Day!
1 year ago
Wendy Holt says:
Truly inspirational. She does humankind proud :)
1 year ago
Chris Olafson Langenbrunner from BusyCornerCrafts says:
What a great idea!
1 year ago
mythunderstood from mythunderstood says:
Wonderful ingenuity.
1 year ago
Parachute425 from Parachute425 says:
Kudos Veronika! Providing a service and employment. Awesome times two.
1 year ago
Stacey Iden from BreakTheRecord says:
Great product idea but more importantly such an inspiring story!
1 year ago
Megan Morris from MadebyMegShop says:
Simply inspiring. I remember when my baby sister decided to move to Detroit after she graduated from law school, thinking, why?? She had friends there, her boyfriend was there, but I couldn't figure out why she wouldn't find somewhere that wasn't so, well, depressing. But Detroit is a great example for the rest of the United States, and depressed economies/areas around the world. The people of Detroit have fought long and hard but their city is coming back to life. It's great to see, and it's great to see a designer from there be part of that movement. Congrats!
1 year ago
Brenda Thom says:
Proud of her and going to send her a check! We are tough here in the D and she is a shining example of what that means!
1 year ago
Trish from shabbyfrenchstyle says:
I love this story...what an inspiration & a ray of light amongst all the doom & gloom....well done Veronika Scott :)))
1 year ago
baconsquarefarm from baconsquarefarm says:
What an inspiring story about a coat a multi functional one at that~ great read/
1 year ago
Megan S from DownTheRavine says: Featured
This story speaks to me, not only as a resident of Southeast Michigan but as a pre-social working student and crafter. Detroit can be a sad place, a reminder of a once brilliant and successful city that now has seen better times. But there is a lot of pride here, there is a lot of fortitude.
1 year ago
Melanie Gibson says:
Its these types of stories that I would air on a GOOD NEWS CHANNEL! I feel that greed got the West into most of its problems. I believe that creativity and a generosity will play a massive part in getting us out of it. And luckily the Etsy community has got bucket loads of that, which makes this a great place to be! I feel we are seriously lucky bunnies to of found that kind of work ethos now!. I think some of Etsy's Blogs and post are right up there & this is one to remember! x
1 year ago
Polkadot Magpie from ThePolkadotMagpie says:
Brilliant! I remember 1968 riots...it's never really come back.
1 year ago
Dotty Walker from SewThoughtfulBlanket says:
That's being super creative!
1 year ago
liddy sopretty from liddysopretty says:
What a rad story!! And such a great idea..wow
1 year ago
Jaqualine Crabtree from ArtbyJaq says:
This is inspiring. Truly. I only hope to do something that amazing for people, good work!
1 year ago
Julie from botanicalbeevintage says:
CCS is such a great school, I am there now and this is one of the great inspiring stories that keep us all working so hard. Go you!
1 year ago
blueflowervintage from blueflowervintage says:
Thank you so much for sharing this! This story touched my heart and made my day!
1 year ago
Carmen from MontanaGirl says:
Truly inspirational!
1 year ago
mazedasastoat from mazedasastoat says:
An inspiring story, what a pity you didn't show us one of these coats.
1 year ago
Amber from BambuEarth says:
Would love to see the coats. ♥
1 year ago
Levi Emerson from theEmersonian says:
love this!!! so great. :)
1 year ago
Kirsti Joy from KaiceJoy says:
A thoughtful and practical way to help others!!! Great article!!!
1 year ago
Donna Thai from PetiteCuisine says:
This is so amazing.
1 year ago
Sharon Parker from ArtyDidact says:
Very inspiring story. Nice to see that the old adage "necessity is the mother of invention" can have an altruistic spin — as a woman inspired by the needs of others. I'd love to see the coat, sounds like an ingenious design.
1 year ago
Tara Galuska from GluskDesigns says:
I'm inspired and excited. Way to go Crazy Coat Lady!
1 year ago
VaLon Frandsen from thevicagirl says:
This is a great story and a great idea. I remember one day I was on the train and saw a guy sleeping outside and had a huge urge to go and cover him with a blanket, afterall, there was snow on the ground. Unfortunally I didn't have a blanket, and didn't know how he would respond. I thought about bringing one the next day but didn't know if I'd see him, and I didn't see him anymore anyways. There are tons of people out there in need, and we all should do our part to help them out.
1 year ago
Claudia Kemp from B3BeachBridalBoutiqu says:
Like so many have said, it's very inspirational! But what are we doing to keep the inspiration moving forward? Taking action is the key and if each of us took one step we could make a difference together. I'm still in the thinking stage... I'm in Florida where the sun is shining but the housing market is in the toilets and the unemployment rate is high. I could take a % of sales and put it towards a couple people that need a skill or trade. Sewing wedding dresses is not sewing 101 but one could start with cutting out dresses, learning to sew beading and embroidery, all the packaging and mailing is time intensive. Its a start! Have to keep thinking!
1 year ago
beadsofcambay from beadsofcambay says:
What a beautiful circle of goodness!
1 year ago
Victoria Sheridan from HeirloomOrphanage says:
Probably the best news I've read all day. Thanks!
1 year ago
allisoneastmanbeads from allisoneastmanbeads says:
Now this is a really nice article.
1 year ago
Tiggie from TiggieWinklesTreats says:
talk about necessity being the mother of all invention! this is a fabulous story and worthy of as much exposure as possible. fantastic made my day to know these sort of things happen in this day and age:-)
1 year ago
Kathy Lindemer from BayMoonDesign says:
The people of Michigan deserves a break!
1 year ago
rivahside says:
That is what love looks like. :)
1 year ago
Kim Strozewski from SassySisterVintage says:
Love, love, love to hear stories like this one! A good news channel (how someone mentioned) is such a great idea.
1 year ago
Jennifer from JennsThreeGraces says:
I've found every time I've asked people to pitch in - someone or many have. Cans of Ensure for amputees back from serving in Iraq at Besthesda Naval Hospital - done! Toothbrushes for homeless students in my schools - local dentists were there. Christmas gifts for for 2 little girls to help out a friend of mine with Cancer who was overwhelmed with medical bills - yes. Dog food for our animals shelter - co-workers answered the call. People truly want to help - sometimes we just have to ask. 1 can of soup, 1 bar of soap, to be a volunteer, teaching, patience, encouragement, a prayer. Thank you for your hope and help! Jenn
1 year ago
Pilar Giménez Almalé says:
Wonderfull piece! may be you could critisise my art... :) I would like yo hear opinions! http://elsuspirodelmar.blogspot.com/
1 year ago
Joanna Otten from TwistedWhimsyDesigns says:
This is such an inspirational story! I love that it not only helps the homeless but gets them involved as well. As a graphic designer I agree that our best work happens when we think locally as well as looking at the full life cycle of what we produce. No more use once and toss!
1 year ago
BanglewoodSupplies from BanglewoodSupplies says:
How inspiring? The human spirit can be so warm and giving. Great project.
1 year ago
Mary and Linda from Noteswithnature says:
Beautiful sentiment. As a child needs human touch to develop, each of us still has that inner child which needs to be nurtured. First on the physical level and, I believe, through nature we can add a sense of peace to our lives.
1 year ago
brainfart says:
A true act of kindness! I hope this project can be started in more city's nation wide . Thank you Veronika Scott !
1 year ago
Katrina from HappilyEverAfter52 says:
I applaud you...
1 year ago
MapleAndOakDesigns from MapleAndOakDesigns says:
This is a wonderful idea!!! It is truly inspiring to read that something very small can develop into something big and that for a good cause...what can be better? I wish those sleeping coats would be handed out by the red cross all over the world to help homeless people. Thank you, Veronika!
1 year ago
Megan W. from 1littletreasureshop says:
Two thumbs up for bringing inspiration to my day!
1 year ago
Kathleen from myvintagecrush says:
Go local :) great post!
1 year ago
Makenzie from Psychedalus says:
Wow, how incredible! I am always thinking of things to make that are more for glitz and glam, and after reading this blog, I have remembered how important simple and convenient creations are as well. Talent is best used when it is to lend a helping hand, great job Veronika!
1 year ago
Sarah May says:
I love when designers take the creative initiative to help with multi-faceted problems like hunger, poverty and homelessness. Not only is Veronika Scott addressing the face that shelters aren't a "solve-all" for the homeless population, but she is providing an affordable, versatile option for people to stay warm. Thanks for another of your usual killer post Chappell.
1 year ago
kathleenmcmahon from kathleenmcmahon says:
what goes around comes around - good for Veronika for creating something to benefit the less fortunate, which seems to be more and more people. I like the painting in the article a lot, too.
1 year ago
Deborah Brackenbury from fuzzylogicfelt says:
I'm a transplanted Detroiter, now living in Oklahoma, and I go back to Detroit a few times a year. Detroit now looks like a post-apocalyptic town, and to be able to see through the wreckage and make a decision to create beauty and develop hope is an incredible talent. Thank you Ms. Scott.
1 year ago
Heather from heatherdoon says:
It's wonderful to see such creativity and inspiration put to such a wonderful use. I also love the painting and the emotions it draws.
1 year ago
david karim says:
It is good.I think it will be good in the winter.It can be popular if advertise.clasp envelopes
1 year ago
Alma Yamazaki from angelportraitsbyalma says:
Your story is so inspiring.. Thank you for sharing and for doing what you do. Indeed there are Angels among us, and you are one of them.
1 year ago
Kathryn says:
Give a man a fish & he'll eat for a day-Teach a man to fish & he'll eat forever
1 year ago
Kim Baldwin from lifeaccessories says:
I agree! Great post, thanks!
1 year ago
margaret roach from featheroriginals says:
Live in Detroit area and very hard area to keep warm in thats for sure!!! What a great way to share your talents!!!
1 year ago
Jen Cragen from JenCragen says:
An amazing article with a unique twist. Most of the time I hear of folks complaining about the system and abuses to it. Very rarely do those same complainers ever do anything to change the situation. Not only is this an inspiring story with a solution offered in a dignified manner for those involved, but it is full of doing something about a problem we all see and yet just talk about. Thank you, Etsy, for deciding to highlight this story of hope in times of trial. Also, thank you Veronica for not just seeing a social problem and letting it pass from your experience, but for pausing to really think about what you saw and how to change the situation to make it better while respecting all involved. Thank you!
1 year ago
connie TBA from YesUMaystationery says:
Havent even read the story yet...im totally captivated by the illustration. Good work, everyone!
1 year ago
Fate from Madebyfate says:
Good work :)
1 year ago
amos1579 from Cherries11 says:
This is the type of ingenuity that should be more contagious than the common cold! Not only is this a perfect example of art and creativity meeting functionality, but the lesson of empowerment instilled by creating the coats themselves is truly priceless.
1 year ago
cathy wallace from MoreThanSoup says:
Just the other day, a man was found sleeping in the newspaper recycling bin at our church. Sadly, he wouldn't respond to offers of help. It really doesn't take much to make a difference if we work together in our communities. Consider a percent of your sales for a local charity where you can see the results. In my case, it is the food pantry. I can't bear the thought of children going to bed hungry.
1 year ago
Lesley Chandler from thoughtfullyadorned says:
Love this, very inspiring. Good people in this world! Still...
1 year ago
Melissa Pender from penderlove4 says:
This story is amazing and inspirational...Has me thinking of what I can do to help out those in need in my own community. The painting is very inspiring, too. I love it. It's beautiful.
1 year ago
NancysGarden from NancysGarden says:
Thanks for this article and what a thought provoking photo. It shows God loves everyone - no matter what their circumstances are. When we catered weddings and the family didn't want the wedding cake that was left, we took it to the homeless shelter in our area. The cakes were big and served a lot of people. We all have something we can contribute to others in need. Be it a listening ear, our time, our love, clothing, food and so much more. Thanks Veronika Scott for making life bearable for someone in need with your gift and talents.
1 year ago
awesomefinds4u from awesomefinds4u says:
Wonderful story. It really moved me. We need more Veronika Scotts in this world. It would be a much better place.
1 year ago
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1 year ago