Technology Update 3 - Two birds, one stone

Wow, did ideas really get going yesterday in Technology. I'm becoming very excited about this project! By the end of the class, we had developed a group name (Hands for the Homeless), tentative logo designs with hands meshing together to make an outline of a house, and some really cool ideas on what our group could do.

Get it? Like the sole of a shoe!

We started thinking of Toms shoes, where when one of their shoes are purchased, a pair goes to a child in need of shoes. Why not do the same thing, but with items for the homeless? In buying a T-shirt, blanket, pair of socks, jacket or hat with artwork promoting the equality of the homeless, a different image is spread of them. And in sending that object to a homeless person in need, a lot more good is done as well. The plan combats both the societal downcast against the homeless by providing a T-shirt or other item someone can display, and provide for the homeless at the same time.

Profits could also go toward job-readiness training for the homeless and suit lentals, or providing showers avaliable for the homeless. 88% of the homeless in a survey said that a good paying job would help them become self sufficient. More education, better health care, having their own apartment and staying off drugs/alcohol were also up there. Profits could go toward helping any or all of these areas in order to combat homelessness.

I'm also excited by the art aspect of this as well, since art is a great medium to send messages creatively, and in doing so get others to reassess their thoughts on a societal norm. This is exactly what needs to be done for the homeless, who are looked down upon from fear and being a societal outcast. This project seems like it could actually be accomplished, and also do a lot of good.