people helping people

Community of likeminded radicals

This winter we handed out 750 Shelterbags in the Pacific NorthWest in partnership with local organizations Greater Good Northwest, Rose Haven, and Transition Projects. With your help, we were able to bring these critical products to the Western United States, all the way from our social factory in South Africa where they were produced.

Enschede, The Netherlands

Knowledge is freedom

At our foundation, we believe in giving people not only safety but also opportunities to grow and flourish. Providing jobs for newcomers and people at a distance from the labor market is one of our core ambitions.

Paris, France

Samusocial de Paris

We joined a night shift at Samusocial de Paris. Their mobile assistance teams – made up of a social worker, a nurse, and a driver – go out day and night to meet homeless people on the streets throughout Paris.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

NAS Rotterdam

How Dennis’ Sheltersuit was part of his journey towards housing in Rotterdam. He was sitting outside on a bench, when Bob first offered him a Sheltersuit. Six months later, we are invited for Dennis’ housewarming.

Los Angeles, USA

People Helping People in Los Angeles

530 Shelterbags for Los Angeles: If you’re unhoused in L.A. you’re constantly going around, trying to find your next meal, trying to find a safe area to sleep. Waitlists can be over 100 people, just to get into a night shelter. There’s a lot of services, but not enough beds, not enough of anything.

Enschede, The Netherlands

Sheltersuit rocks Chloé

In collaboration with Chloé, a total of 550 jackets and 550 backpacks were produced by our amazing team in our social factory in Enschede. Each item is unique and made by hand using up-cycled materials.

Enschede, The Netherlands

7 years of People Helping People

During his fashion studies, Bas received news that shocked him. His friends’ father died while he was sleeping outside. He died of hypothermia on a night when it was 8ºC. Today, Sheltersuit is a place where people passionately work together to prevent this.

Arnhem, The Netherlands

Thoughtful Design: Shelterbag evolution

Sheltersuit exists to help ease the symptoms of people experiencing homelessness. By listening to the people that are using our products, we determine the need and evaluate the results. Then, we do our best to convert that input into practice and incorporate it into the production process.

Rotterdam, The Hague and Leiden, The Netherlands

250 Shelterbags with Auping comfort

In August, the first Shelterbags with sleeping mats donated by Auping were distributed in the Netherlands in the cities of Rotterdam, The Hague and Leiden. Working together with various relief organizations, we can be sure that the Shelterbags are distributed with care to people who are forced to spend the night outside.

Maher and Bas creating a Sheltersuit & Chloé jacket

Enschede, The Netherlands

A day in our social factory

The radio is on, sewing machines are rattling, cheerful voices sound from all over. Anyone entering Sheltersuit Foundation’s workshop in Enschede will agree: this is a place where people work together with pleasure and dedication.

Bronx New York, USA

Working to be Part of the Solution

The past winter we worked closely with Part of the Solution (POTS); a community center in the Bronx, New York to protect their unsheltered members through freezing and sub-freezing nights on the streets. “Sheltersuit offers a tangible way for us to connect with our unsheltered friends on the street,” says Noelani, Head of Distribution at Sheltersuit USA, “But how do we get it to the people that need it?”

Enschede, The Netherlands

Sleeping bag to Sheltersuit

Moumin Albibi (25) started volunteering for Sheltersuit six years ago. Now he is one of our full-time employees. ‘Logistics employee,’ Moumin says with a laugh. ‘I arrange everything here at the studio.’ Moumin was born in Damascus, in Syria. ‘When I was eight years old, my father had a clothing factory. Growing up, I wanted […]

Cape Town, South Africa

Getting ready for winter in South Africa

“Here we are like a family. We’re working very close and understand each other. It has made my life better, it even made me a better person. I can now make a difference in someone’s life and this job has opened my eyes to help and give a hand to those in need.”

Berlin, Germany

Kristina and the Artzmobil team

Berlin is facing one of the coldest winters in years – with temperatures falling below freezing. This winter, the Sheltersuit Foundation teamed up with Arztmobil (a mobile doctor’s van initiative), a programme organised by Caritas, to provide Sheltersuits to Berlin’s most vulnerable individuals.

Phoenix, USA

Mike gives us a tour of a tent encampment in Phoenix

Here at Sheltersuit, we have the privilege to work with other non-profits dedicated to protecting our unsheltered friends across the world. We joined the Phoenix-based organization Cloud Covered Streets for one of their street missions, providing showers, haircuts, laundry, and potential employment to individuals experiencing homelessness. “I’ve had the most positive weeks when I came […]