Heart of Detroit: Wearable sleeping bag for homeless

Local entrepreneur embodies the heart of Detroit

DETROIT – Veronika Scott was a student at the College for Creative Studies when she came up with a great idea, wearable sleeping bag for the homeless.

Scott described her invention as a coat that traps body heat during the day and then becomes a waterproof, self-heated sleeping bag at night.

She designed the product, produced it and even had her friends test it out on a freezing night.

"We ended up sleeping out in the snow. It was 17 degrees out, said Scot.  "It was fine."

The challenge for Scott now, is to manufacture the product called Element S.

Detroit is the area where she will employ people to make the portable shelters.

She tried her product in New York City briefly, but the allure of helping the needy drew back her home.

"I couldn't go back, and couldn't do that no matter how much it would be pay above what I am getting now, "said Scott. "I am not just giving back; this is immensely giving back to me."

Scott's plan is to employ Detroit's neediest citizens to help produce the multipurpose garments.

"The goal for the first year is, we are going to build them and if there is a shelter, if there is a soup kitchen, something, if any organization is distributing to the homeless population, we're giving them for free," said Scott.

Veronika Scott is a determined entrepreneur helping to redesign the Heart of Detroit.