BACK at YOU (BACK@YOU)

BACK@YOU was created to help open people's eyes to our unhoused neighbors that so many of us walk blindly by each day. They are not invisible. We should not act as if they don't exist. We all deserve to be treated with dignity and kindness. None of us is less of a person because we don't have a home.

We made each of our backpacks to show its recipient that someone cares. These may be a small gesture in the grand scheme of things, but they are filled with love.

Our backpacks are distributed one-on-one with each unhoused guest at our distribution being matched with a volunteer. Names are exchanged and things begin to change for both the volunteer and the guest. The volunteers realize that once you know a person's name, they are no longer a stranger and no longer invisible to you. The guest is able to feel the kindness and respect that they deserve as a human being. Both lives change. Each specially designed backpack contains socks, gloves, hat, 18 hour body/hand warmers, water bottle, notebook, pen, flashlight, snack bag, hygiene bag, sleeping bag, and a scarf handmade with love. The essentials could save someone's life on a winter night. The scarf will give them warmth, both literally and figuratively.