UPDATE: I have changed the title of this post to stop any confusion with the other effort called Swags for Homeless. I have been getting a huge amount of search engine traffic for both and felt, as this post was about Street Swags to change the title to reflect that and do away with any confusion. I will be posting about Swags for Homeless soon and my experience with them and their swags.
If there is any confusion or anyone wishes to discuss this with me, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I want to share with you about a fantastic effort by one person to make a difference to the homeless in Australia and beyond. Jean Madden, a former teacher from Brisbane, saw an opportunity for her to make a difference. While not a social worker, or pastor, Jean knew that what she could do, would make a difference for those on the streets.
Jean Madden designed the Street Swag in 2005, because she felt it wasn’t good enough that people in our community were sleeping on concrete and in the dirt.
A bag with room for extra belongings, the Street Swag is made of super lightweight waterproofed canvas with a high-density foam mattress. It offers its users a degree of comfort, warmth and protection from the weather. Designed for those living on the streets, its discrete appearance and camouflage colours, offer some safety for those who need to be invisible.
Street Swags has empowered and brought together all levels of community. Corporate and private entities donate funds. Prisoners sew, gaining work readiness skills and qualifications. Aboriginal Communities gain government employment, home industry skills and their finished product for their families. School children roll and package street swags with blankets, pillows, hygiene packs and knitted winter essentials. Numerous aid organisations, hospitals, community groups and volunteers distribute them across Australia.
This is how Street Swags Ltd have given away over 10, 000 Street Swags to those ‘sleeping rough’. This network of community allowed them to have hundreds of Street Swags there for the recent Victorian bush fire victims, within hours of them becoming homeless.
The world economic crisis means a world homelessness crisis and like the local food van, Street Swags are about keeping people alive.
Street Swags began on August 15, 2005 as a project under the auspice of another local charity. In 2007 Street Swags Ltd was established as a Not for Profit, Public Corporation with full charitable status. Due to the increase in demand, in 2009 Street Swags Ltd created it’s wholly owned subsidiary Walkabout Beds Pty Ltd, to take over its current manufacturing activities. This second entity will also sell a commercial version of the Street Swag to the public, returning all profits to the charity. Through Walkabout Beds Pty Ltd we are working to set up industry in Kolkata and East Timor as a means to supplying aid and emergency relief organisations in other countries.
On the 20th of May Copenhagen announce that Jean Madden and the Street Swag are a finalist for the World’s largest design awards INDEX. This is an award given every second year, with Prince Frederick of Denmark as patron.
Some more videos with interviews with Jean can be found here and here.
I pray that I can give street swags to men and women in similar positions, while also praying that I don’t need to give them to anyone who needs them at all.
{ 4 comments }
I encourage the public to look at Jean Maddens Street Swag closely.
I have seen the unit and understand fabric and manufacturing. I had a friend who bought 2 units for homeless people … she showed me … and I feel pretty angry. She did not even get a tax deductible receipt … just a receipt saying sponsorship. False claims by Street Swags!
People should question if Jeans Street Swag 'swag' is actually waterproof to a homeless person when (such an illogical claim):
- it does not have a zip (to wrap around the body)
- it does not cover the full length of a body
- has a mattress which is half the length of a person … thus exposing the legs of a sleeper to the ground they are trying to keep away from (which gets wet)
- costs approx $14-16 (Australian) to make
- is no way fire retardant
- is weak and poorly made
- has a mattress which is not waterproof and thus can turn moldy very quickly
- no mosquito protection mesh
- no pockets
- no locks
I read it takes 10min. for prisoners to make it. I believe it. It's not even cut straight. It's a bit on canvas folded over. That's a length of canvas … not a swag!
Again, a Street Swag swag does not even cover a persons body – both top or bottom.
How can a Street Swag swag cost $60 (Australian). Canvas folded over. I am sorry. But when I recently compared it to a Backpack Bed made by Swags for Homeless (also $60) I think charities and the public are being 100% taken for a ride. Homeless deserve dignity, not emotional people who go wow prisoners make them and Jeans a catholic school teacher.
The public and those who hand out Street Swags – need to think … would they actually sleep in a Jean Madden swag. I doubt it. Charities would be better off giving a length of canvas … because that's all Jean's is. Be honest.
Make your own mind up.
I heard on the radio that Swags for Homeless is handing 845 out free units to homeless people in Melbourne. I am not going to give you any money to buy any rubbish. I recommend you call Swags for Homeless http://www.swags.org.au and get some swags yourself. Then take responsibility for your blog and promotion of a product that is a rip off and disgusting. Or is this a blog that protects its views (thus is bias and useless).
Doesn't the Bible say stand up for truth. Get out there and stop the rip off! Protect the needy like Jesus says.
Hi Jan, Thank you for your passionate and very detailed comment – I appreciate the passion and the information!
Firstly, I have never heard of Swags for the Homeless, and thank you for the link and the info – yes, I will be calling them and getting some swags to hand out to the folk that I meet daily. I guess that Swags for the Homeless hasn't sought or been given the same media attention that Street Swags have. Hence, my ignorance.
Secondly, while what you say may be true, I can attest that I have seen tears and been given heartfelt hugs with the many Street Swags I have given out. In fact tonight I met with one guy that I had given one to several months ago. He thanked me and said that it had helped ease winter and given him some comfort. Now that he had gotten himself on better footing, he had given the Street Swag I had given him to another to use. So, my point is, that Street Swags have and do make a difference, despite the errors you cite.
I do take exception for your comments about responsibility for my blog. I take responsibility for everything I post and did not post this article or the subsequent ones without seeing and testing the street swags.
Yes the Bible stands up for truth, and if you can show me where there are lies in this post them please do so. I have been protecting and serving the needy, the homeless etc and believed that Street Swags were one part of this, not the be all and end all.
Tell me ,what you are doing that is meeting the same challenge?
I agree that homeless would be grateful – they have nothing else. But I think when you see the Backpack Bed by Swags for Homeless – you will have tears of joy also … but also then … question how Street Swags can even think about charging $60 for a bit of rubbish. How much an hour do prisoners work for? According to Jean it takes 10min to make. I might add, the award Jean won was not based on an amazing design of function and form. It was peoples choice. Vote line. Do a search and see the vote links Jean made. The award is a joke. A piece of canvas folded over – give me a break.
My comments are based on value, quality and the reality of charities and the public being ripped off with a Street Swag swag. Homeless also need to be treated with dignity … and dignity is not a piece of canvas folded over. As I said – would you sleep in a Street Swag swag? I won't do the test as I would get the dog to sleep in a Street Swag swag and I would only sleep in the Swags for Homeless Backpack Bed.
I bet you anything that the homeless person you speak of … would toss the Street Swag in a blink – as soon as he saw the Backpack Bed.
You are a good man. Keep up the good work! Promote only good things for homeless. Do not be swayed by emotions of a Catholic school teacher influence, prisoners making them and a mickey mouse vote line award.
Encourage others to question value and think about better dignity being given to the homeless. Jesus would. Do to the least … do unto me. You have been informed of something better. Personally I would only give Jesus the best. No way would I let him sleep in a Street Swag. I hope you do call Swags for Homeless.
hi jan Im a nudgee boy who rolls swags the man who is in charge of this is a great guy in his 60's im not to sure if you know this but all money made goes back into making more street swags and yes that means 100% of the money is put back into swags.
the people who make street swags do not think them self first they put all others before them … thanks and sorry i send this so late:)
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