• Home
  • About
  • Studio
  • Blog
  • Home
  • About
  • Studio
  • Blog
2 MIN READ

The Lennie Project

February 6, 2021
-
No comments

In my other life beyond the spinning wheel and knitting needles, I teach at Ryerson University on the topic of Homelessness. Being the middle of winter, the issue of cold, hypothermia and the recent deaths of four people experiencing homelessness on the streets of Toronto comes up a lot in class. Not surprisingly, so does the need for warm clothes.

Yesterday evening a student asked me if participating in The Lennie Project would be a good activity for a final project. I was intrigued, especially since I encourage submissions that combine material work and community participation grounded in theory and research.

Here’s what I discovered about The Lennie Project.

Started by Nathalie-Roze Fisher, an independent eco-designer and upcycler in Leslieville, the project is collecting sweaters to be refashioned into hats and cowls and distributed to shelters around the city. There has been a SEWcial where craftivists came together to help Natalie-Roze make the hats and cowls and there are multiple locations around the city collecting materials.

It looks like the project has been a raging success as there is another SEWcial scheduled for Thursday, February 12th and I am encouraging my student(s) to participate.

I bet there are a few readers starting to roll their eyes at this point. Perhaps you’re feeling a case of the cynicals coming on? Are you sarcastically asking “But Sarah Jean, will upcycled hats really solve the growing problem of homelessness in Toronto?”

My answer: Absolutely Not.

The Lennie Project will not stop or prevent homelessness. It will not get the affordable housing that is desperately needed in this city built or available. Perhaps it help prevent some frostbite and hypothermia. Hopefully.

But I think there are two significant opportunities being created by The Lennie Project.

1. This is an avenue to action. The Lennie Project is a way for folks to get involved in advocating for those experiencing homelessness. It is an opportunity to act. As we have learned at Peace Flag House, sometimes all you need to do is provide the opportunity and people will dive in. Humyns want to help out other humyns.

2. This is an avenue for education. The Lennie Project is a way to spread information about the crisis of homelessness and severe shortage of affordable housing across Canada. As an educator around homelessness I am ready to leap on any opportunity to talk about why people face homelessness in our wealthy country and challenge the misinformation and stereotypes that hamper many efforts to end homelessness.

Set that cynicism aside and celebrate two great opportunities being created by The Lennie Project and a great opportunity for all the rest of us to get our community craftivism on.

 

Want to get involved?

The Lennie Project on Twitter @TheLennyProject for details.

SEWcial Thursday, February 12th @sewbeitstudio, 7-9pm

Sweater Drop Off Locations:

East-End: Pippins Tea Company Inc. Lady Marmalade & The Purple Purl .

West-End: Common Sort, Centre for Social Innovation (Annex) & The Workroom.

Uptown: Sew Be It Studio 

 

Tags
community craftivism
Fibre Arts
← PREVIOUS POST
Dying Day (aka Making Yarn Candy)
NEXT POST →
Woolen Handspinning and the Long Draw: Lessons of the Wheel

Leave a Comment

Your feedback is valuable for us. Your email will not be published.

Click here to cancel reply

Please wait...
Submit Comment

Related News

Other posts that you should not miss.

Busy Days @PeaceFlagHouse

October 23, 2021
-
Posted by peaceflaghouse@gmail.com

Happy Knitting Season Everyone! It’s been a little bit since I’ve written because I’ve been overwhelmed with local fibre, sustainable textile, …

Read More →
2 MIN READ

I am a recovering Yarn Zombie

November 1, 2021
-
Posted by peaceflaghouse@gmail.com

  A little peek at the Peace Flag House stash. I have an obsession with yarn.  I knit on the subway, …

Read More →
4 MIN READ

Sheepsview Studio

April 1, 2021
-
Posted by peaceflaghouse@gmail.com

THANK YOU FACEBOOK These are the moments that make me adore social media. 15 years after the conclusion of my highschool …

Read More →
3 MIN READ

Peace Flag House - Digital Storytelling & Creative Agency

Copyright Peace Flag House 2017

info@peaceflaghouse.com 568 Jane Street, Toronto, Canada M6S 4A5
The Lennie Project | Peace Flag House - Digital Storytelling & Creative Agency