Chicago Man Provides Undomiciled Individuals With Ice Fishing Tents

The issue of homelessness seems overwhelming and it can feel like as an individual there is nothing you can do to help. But local Chicago man named Andy Robledo is proving that is not true. He is started nonprofit organization originally called Feeding People Through Plants. It is how called the Orange Tent Project. the orange tent project Just like it sounds, he sells plans to support his efforts to help the homeless. With the proceeds from his plant sales, he purchases winterize ice fishing tents along with propane heaters, blankets and hot food. The tents hold heat and are large enough so that people can stand up in them. He describes them as being the size of a small bedroom. Heat, food brought to homeless Chicagoans as freeze arrives (audacy.com)

At first, he faced resistance from the city and requests to take the tents down. He was told he was encouraging people to live outside. Clearly this is incorrect as people are already living outside but in much less safe and comfortable conditions. Many of the people he has helped were previously living in summer tends which were falling apart. Because of the city’s pressure, he thought he’d have to suspend his operations. But finally, the city backed off and let him continue his work. They made it clear they don’t support the tents but that they will not take them down. He also an increase in donations thanks for some articles written about his work. Some of his donors have included formerly homeless individuals. Man Giving Winter Tents to People Who Are Homeless Says City Officials Will No Longer Threaten Teardowns (blockclubchicago.org)

The tents cost Robledo $350 and he is out 5 days a week providing them to the homeless. He acknowledges that this is not a perfect or long-term solution to the issue of homelessness. His goal is to help people be safe and comfortable until they can get into a better, long term housing situation. He reports that it takes on average 66 days for a person to get housing in Chicago. He wants them to have a safe place to live during that waiting period. Conditions can dip well below freezing during Chicago winters. He has group of over 60 volunteers who help him build the tents.

The Orange Tent Project’s Mission statement states: We envision a world in which the services we provide are no longer necessary-that’s a world with affordable accessible housing, food security for all, universal health care and rehabilitation services, a world in which we care for one another as neighbour's.

The idea for this project “began with a break-in, of all things. One cold, winter day, our founder discovered his truck with a window smashed. Someone had obviously broken in, but nothing was missing aside from a blanket, which he later saw at a nearby homeless encampment. Shaken and deeply moved, our founder made it his personal mission to support his neighbour’s experiencing homelessness. As a recovering alcoholic, he understood firsthand the importance of relationship-led outreach, and prioritized building trust and rapport with individuals on the streets of Chicago’s south side. He didn’t stop at asking them what they needed to survive – he asked what they needed to thrive, to get back on their feet, to get clean, get sober, get mental health assistance… you name it.” about — the orange tent project