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Hats for the Homeless: Recognizing the Human Dignity of All
As Catholics, we’re called to use our God-given talents to serve others. One way to do this is through the Hats for the Homeless Ministry, which provides fleece, knitted, and crocheted hats to those in need. By helping out with this ministry, parishioners of all ages can reach out to others with a corporal work of mercy.
“The Hats for the Homeless Project is a year-round effort,” says ministry founder and coordinator Angie Strawn. “We encourage stitchers from all over to contribute handmade hats that will warm the heads of children and adults each winter. It started out as a conversation with other nurses, dialoging about what we could do for the homeless community to recognize their personhood. Physiologically, it’s very important to keep your head warm, and a lot of nurses wanted to be able to use their hands and knitting and crocheting skills.
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During that initial conversation, the nurses discovered a similar project taking place in Baltimore, Md.
“We started making hats and sending them to Baltimore, and as our chapter grew with members from all over the country, we thought we could start looking into making hats for our own local communities,” Angie says. “The seeds for our project were cast far and wide, and it has really taken off.”
Here in the Sacramento area, the ministry donates hats to organizations including Mercy Pedalers, Joshua’s House Volunteer Hospice, Mustard Seed School, Sharing God’s Bounty, and Loaves and Fishes. By donating hats for the homeless and sick to wear in the winter, the ministry works to both raise awareness and to recognize the innate human dignity of every person, regardless of their circumstances.
“We just want to recognize their personhood and acknowledge them,” Angie says. “It’s just a way to try to do our part in serving others. I believe in what the Gospel says about how we are meant to be servants, and this is one way I personally can use my talents in knitting to serve someone else. We can’t all be Mother Teresas, but we can all care for others — I love the quote where she says that only a few of us are called to do great things, but we are all called to do small things with great love. And in the process of helping others, it helps you to feel better about yourself.”
Hats for the Homeless is also an opportunity for personal spiritual growth. Angie’s friend Chris, who has school-age grandchildren, has made fleece hats for the ministry with her grandchildren as a way to introduce them to the concept of stewardship. Another friend, Char, has been able to find new purpose in life through the ministry while grieving a family loss.
“I’ve been given the opportunity to knit hats for the homeless, and I love using my ability to knit for such a good cause,” Char says. “I love picking out the softest yarn to make hats for different sizes, and as I make each one with loving care, I am honored to know that I am helping someone who needs a hat to keep warm. This is a wonderful organization and I’m proud to be a small part of it.”
The Mercy Pedalers assist with distributing hats.
“It’s just a way to try to do our part in serving others,” says Angie Strawn.
Parishioners of all ages can reach out to others through this corporal work of mercy.
These completed hats, made with loving care, are ready for distribution.
