Hammocks for the Homeless
Donation protected
Hi Everyone! For those who do not know me, my name is Jessica Bishop and I am in my senior year of undergraduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University studying Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering. Now that I have about a month off of school, I want to take this opportunity to work on a project that I've thought about for a while now!
I feel so peaceful when I'm hanging out in my hammock. I could be having the worst day ever, but I find it very hard to be upset when I'm suspended in the trees, facing the sky - I'm able to completely relax. I believe this to be a rather universally good feeling, much like eating ice cream or rolling down a perfectly inclined hillside.
I want to make hammocks and hang them in areas of high homeless populations in order to cultivate this feeling in a sometimes unthought of community. It is especially around the holiday season that we are reminded how fortunate we are, but not everyone is so lucky. I want to provide people who may not have a place to be or go with a moment of solitude and comfort. It is so important to be mindful of yourself and others, and I believe that these hammocks have the possibility to evoke postive feelings in an otherwise negative environment.
So my plan is this: 10 hammocks. It's not a huge number, but I feel that it is sufficient for now and very attainable for the hours I have avaliable to complete my project. The picture provided is my first prototype of the style of weaving I intend on using, however I will not be using hemp rope. I will be purchasing Polypropylene rope due to its waterproof quality, strength, and durability. To make a proper size hammock, I will thread 16 doubled rope wide by approximately 11 feet long (unknotted, once doubled). Once I knot the rope, it will decrease to approximately 8 feet. I will fasen them to the trees by knotting Nylon webbing/roping as it is also waterproof, but allows for easy installment. In total, it will cost about 40-50$ to make each hammock depending on which exact ropings I select!
I will be attaching each hammock with a different tag containing a small quote as well as my contact information, should anyone need to remove the hammock. I am aware that due to the non-permenant method of implementation, some of these hammocks may "disappear". In these cases, we just hope that they are being put for a better use! Current areas I am considering hanging them include: Texas Beach, Monroe Park, Belle Isle, and Byrd Park. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, questions, comments, or concerns! I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and thank you for taking the time to read about my project!
I feel so peaceful when I'm hanging out in my hammock. I could be having the worst day ever, but I find it very hard to be upset when I'm suspended in the trees, facing the sky - I'm able to completely relax. I believe this to be a rather universally good feeling, much like eating ice cream or rolling down a perfectly inclined hillside.
I want to make hammocks and hang them in areas of high homeless populations in order to cultivate this feeling in a sometimes unthought of community. It is especially around the holiday season that we are reminded how fortunate we are, but not everyone is so lucky. I want to provide people who may not have a place to be or go with a moment of solitude and comfort. It is so important to be mindful of yourself and others, and I believe that these hammocks have the possibility to evoke postive feelings in an otherwise negative environment.
So my plan is this: 10 hammocks. It's not a huge number, but I feel that it is sufficient for now and very attainable for the hours I have avaliable to complete my project. The picture provided is my first prototype of the style of weaving I intend on using, however I will not be using hemp rope. I will be purchasing Polypropylene rope due to its waterproof quality, strength, and durability. To make a proper size hammock, I will thread 16 doubled rope wide by approximately 11 feet long (unknotted, once doubled). Once I knot the rope, it will decrease to approximately 8 feet. I will fasen them to the trees by knotting Nylon webbing/roping as it is also waterproof, but allows for easy installment. In total, it will cost about 40-50$ to make each hammock depending on which exact ropings I select!
I will be attaching each hammock with a different tag containing a small quote as well as my contact information, should anyone need to remove the hammock. I am aware that due to the non-permenant method of implementation, some of these hammocks may "disappear". In these cases, we just hope that they are being put for a better use! Current areas I am considering hanging them include: Texas Beach, Monroe Park, Belle Isle, and Byrd Park. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, questions, comments, or concerns! I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and thank you for taking the time to read about my project!
Organizer
Jessica Bishop
Organizer
Richmond, VA