With the 2018-2019 winter upon us, cities across the U.S. are preparing to help their homeless populations through dangerous seasonal conditions. Unfortunately, up to 35% of the homeless population in the U.S. go unsheltered. Nonprofit organizations like Louisville Coalition for the Homeless and Family Health Centers work hard toward solutions, but there are often not enough beds for all in need, and some avoid shelters for personal reasons.
To help, Spreetail is donating 2,000 protective cold-weather EMPWR Coats from Empowerment Plan in Detroit. 160 of these sleeping bag coats will go to Louisville-area homeless in dire need between December 11th and 12th, 2018 thanks to a partnership with Louisville Coalition for the Homeless and Family Health Centers of Louisville. This $20,000 contribution will ensure many have a safer warmer winter.
Spreetail is partnering with non-profit organizations combating homelessness in twenty (20) different U.S. cities to ensure all 2,000 EMPWR Coats reach someone in need from November 2018 to January 2019.
WHO IS EMPOWERMENT PLAN?
Empowerment Plan is a Detroit based nonprofit organization focused on permanently elevating families from the generational cycle of homelessness. They hire and train single parents from local shelters as seamstresses, allowing them to earn a stable income, find secure housing, and ultimately regain their independence. Since 2012, they have produced and donated 30,000 EMPWR Coats globally. Learn more about how they break the cycle of homelessness here.
WHAT ARE EMPWR COATS?
EMPWR Coats are innovative, easy to carry, and designed for maximum functionality. The water-resistant garment can quickly transform into a sleeping bag or be used as an over-the-shoulder bag in warmer weather.
ABOUT SPREETAIL
Spreetail is an ecommerce company based in Nebraska with operations in 6 states and 8 major cities. The company sells thousands of items through major online marketplaces and houses its own inventory across the country. You can learn more about Spreetail here.
ABOUT FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS
Family Health Centers, Inc. is a community health center providing primary and preventative health care services at eight locations throughout Louisville Metro. Family Health Centers – Phoenix Health Care for the Homeless, provides a comprehensive array of services to the region’s homeless. FHC-Phoenix provides primary care, behavioral health, case management, on-site pharmacy, dental care, substance use services, permanent housing and a range of supportive services. Services help individuals overcome serious health and financial barriers to obtaining stable housing. FHC-Phoenix staff provides these services at our health center facility located in downtown Louisville and in the community; at day-shelters, through street outreach and at times in encampments where homeless individuals live. Learn more about the Family Health Centers here.
ABOUT LOUISVILLE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS
The Coalition for the Homeless, located at 1300 S. 4th Street, Suite 250, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to prevent and eliminate homelessness in Louisville. The Coalition has a three-pronged approach to this mission: advocacy, education, and coordination of their 30+ member agencies who provide a variety of services to the homeless throughout the city. Since 2011, the Coalition’s Rx: Housing initiatives have reduced chronic homelessness by 50%, and the Rx: Housing Veterans project reached “functional zero.” Recently, the Coalition and several community partners reached a very ambitious goal to secure safe housing for more than 115 homeless young adults in 100 days. Learn more about the Louisville Coalition for the Homeless here.
WHY DO WE WANT TO HELP?
Giving is an unmistakable element of Spreetail culture. Through its impact work, the company strives to end homelessness and support families and underprivileged children in need.
Empowerment Plan’s unique purpose and mission perfectly aligns with Spreetail’s core causes. To date, they have provided employment to 60 individuals, a majority of whom are low-income single mothers of color.
In turn, they have helped bring over 150 children out of homelessness. Spreetail hopes to grow this successful model with its sponsorship of 2,000 coats this winter.
PROGRAM CONTACTS
Melissa Kratzer, Director of Development
Louisville Coalition for the Homeless
mkratzer@louhomeless.org
(502) 636-9550 x213
Carey D. Addison, Jr., Ph.D., Health Care for the Homeless Supervisor
Family Health Centers
caddison@fhclouisville.org
(502) 773-3811
Erika George, Chief Development Officer
Empowerment Plan
erika@empowermentplan.org
(248) 229-6999
Chad Kilpatrick, Head of Community Impact
Spreetail
chad.kilpatrick@spreetail.com
(402) 657-1250
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