NYC has one of the largest socio-economic gaps in America and homelessness is evident wherever you turn a corner or cross the street.

Despite their prominence, the homeless are often regarded as

invisible.

Image taken from this website.

The homeless are anything BUT invisible! They’re our fellow community members who need a helping hand.

And it’s time for NYC teenagers and children to bridge the gap.

Image taken from this website.

Teenagers and children often don’t know how to help and how to start making an impact without making meals/funding donations, both of which require money.

DIY crafts making donation is especially compelling because these crafts are easy to do and sustainable (by using old clothes or fabric)

which provides a perfect solution to actively contribute.

Image taken from this website.

My name is Paromita Talukder. Right now there’s someone in need in almost every corner of every street in the 5 boroughs of NYC. Homeless shelters are underfunded and lacking many of the essential resources needed to live comfortably.

The opportunities available to the homeless, such as career and counseling, are also essentially non-existent. I’ve noticed that in terms of donations, many of my peers (teenagers who don’t make an earning) are reluctant to confront this issue because of the intimidation that they’ll have to make monetary donations.

The DIY crafts project is a way of tackling that intimidation while offering a way to contribute.