The Blanket Project

why it's important:

This project is important to us for many reasons. First, we are concerned about the lack of care and discrimination towards homeless people, and the crushed hope that some face. Second, we are disturbed by the amount of hostility in the world, due to ignorance and the media’s sensationalism of war and global hostilities. However, we truly believe in the goodness and unique dreams that each individual possesses; by focusing on this, our energies and focus are redirected towards making the world becomes a better place. Our project allows participants to experience the goodness of human connection, as it is a global art project that focuses on “good” and “positive” yet honest things. Our project is a physical manifestation of the solution to our concerns, as it creates more love, beauty and peace in the world. The lessons that we have to gain from this project encourage people to have more hope in humanity and its goodness, which is a step towards a better world and a brighter future.

On the local level, we will be serving homeless individuals in Southern California (Santa Monica, Malibu and Los Angeles area). The Blanket Project will design and print 100 fleece blankets to be sold to the Pepperdine and Malibu community. Inspired by TOMS Shoes “One for One” idea, for every one blanket that is sold, we promise to personally deliver one fleece blanket (donated from Noble Ministries) to a homeless individual. The purpose behind selling blankets and books is to share the project with students, raise awareness about homelessness, and invite them as part of the solution. Furthermore, students that deliver blankets are encouraged to share a meal with that individual. The blankets will meet a physical need, and the art books aims to encourage homeless people and other marginalized people (orphans, shelters for abused people, etc) that people hope for beauty, care for others and dream without limits. These physical manifestations show that we are weaved together in our dreams of beauty.

On the international level, we hope to create friendships and spread goodwill. This is important because often ignorance produces unfair prejudices and distances people, as evidenced with the war in “the Middle East”. Its only outcome is heightened violence, distrust, arrogance and hatred. However, through sharing global dreams, hopes and ideas of beauty, we are refocusing on the positive things that arise from diversity and cross cultural interactions. We affirm that at the core of who we are as human beings, people are more similar than alike. Our project will allow people to experience the beauty of human connection, and hopefully cause us to open our minds. It is our hope that The Blanket Project will encourage others to genuinely believe that there is power and beauty in connecting with others, and that there is value in using what makes us unique as a tool to unite us rather than divide us. Hopefully, this will motivate people to see diversity as a strength, and use it to achieve goodness. We each have a unique piece to contribute in the quest for peace.

the plan of action:

Once the initial idea for The Blanket Project came to be through the inspiration of other student activists and dreamers, I refined details such as its mission and objectives. Next, I shared it with my friends and the International Justice Mission (IJM) Pepperdine club chapter. The invitation to participate received enthusiastic responses and led to the creation of my immediate team. As a team, we shared our passions and skills, and delegated specific jobs for each person (ie: main contact for international participants, blanket art/logo designer, technology/video designer, web designer, and contact person for screen printing companies, book printing companies, blanket ministries).

After the creation of the main team, we invited IJM members to respond to our three questions by providing art materials (paints, markers, scissors, glue, construction paper, etc). At the end of the night, we had drawings, collages, and video responses, which were made into a “promo” video and put on the Facebook group page.

Throughout the semester, we have invited friends around the world through viral marketing, as well as through writing personal emails, phone calls, flyers and other forms of invitations. We contacted major offices and classes that we thought would be interested in the project, such as the International Programs office and Social Action and Justice classes. It was through personal invitations that we managed to receive 100 blankets as a donation from Noble Ministries, as well as groups of participants from Pepperdine University students, American Samoa, Hong Kong, China, Saudi Arabia, Hawaii, Switzerland, Camp David Gonzales Juvenile hall, as well as individual participants that represent a myriad of other countries. We have received over 300 responses, representing over 40 nationalities/cultures.

The project is still being completed and has yet to reach its full impact. We are currently in the process of getting the blankets printed and the book finalized so that 100 copies can be printed. Each day greets us with willingness and excitement from people around the world who want to participate. We have received so much affirmation and support from people who have submitted responses and helped us to connect us to other people. One of the greatest impacts of this project is seeing it grow and having people marvel at how far a small idea has grown. Most people are in awe and enjoy looking at the global responses and pictures. The process of this project is a testimony in itself that people all over the world hope for beauty and that human goodness exists, which is a catalyst for even more goodness.

how you can get involved:

* Join the Facebook group, “The Blanket Project”! There you will find updates, project pictures, and links.
* Because every individual has someone unique to offer to the project, everyone is invited to submit a response to one or more of our three questions that we are posing. Creative responses can be emailed to theBLANKETproject@gmail.com. Include your name, and where you are from (to be printed in the book).
* Invite others to submit responses
* Buy a blanket and join us in personally delivering blankets to homeless individuals in California.

videos: