PAYING IT FORWARD: THE EMPOWERMENT PLAN

HELPING OTHERS WHO ARE IN A LESS FORTUNATE LIFE SITUATION I was so inspired after watching a video by the young lady that founded “The Empowerment Plan”. Not only does this group create jobs for the homeless, but it also provides jackets to those in desperate need.

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This gave me the idea to purchase the jackets for those in need in my community. My goal is to support those who are most in need by purchasing EMPWR coats for the Corvallis homeless population. "The Empowerment Plan" employs homeless women to produce versatile coats that can function both as a winter jacket, sleeping bag, and a shoulder bag when not in use. In conditions of below 30 degrees, many homeless individuals are struggling to stay warm in Corvallis, especially through winter. This unique coat comes from the non-profit business EMPWR, based out of Detroit, Michigan. For every coat, "The Empowerment Plan" asks that $100.00 be donated to help cover the cost or production and salaries of the women employed through this organization.

There are many reasons for homelessness. The stories of the Corvallis homeless are as diverse as they are heart breaking. Some of the homeless community includes veterans with PTSD, people with mental illness and no ability to seek medical treatment, people who have endured severe childhood trauma often leading to alcohol and drug addiction, and even more common now is medical bankruptcy and job loss. There is generally very little, or no, family support in these situations. Because of many generous donors, scores of jackets have already been purchased and distributed in Corvallis. Please consider purchasing a coat or making a small donation for a homeless person in your area.

These coats undoubtedly save lives. “Louise, I am writing you to let you know of the positive effect on peoples lives the sleeping bag/ jackets have had. I gave one out to a man who had no socks and a thin coat. The next evening I saw him without his jacket asking for another. When I asked what happened to his he told me he had given his away to someone who needed it more. The sun was down and because of his previous behavior the man who gave his jacket away was not allowed in the church for another 30 days. It was because of your generosity that we had a few more jackets to hand out. There was ice every morning at that point in the year. I gave him another with strict words that he was to save his own life and keep that one. I am fully convinced those jackets have saved lives. Some people have saved theirs from last year and are finding warmth and security today.” KEVIN WEAVER / Outreach, First Christian Church, Corvallis, Oregon