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REFLECTIONS FROM THE FOUNDERS

March 18, 2019

REFLECTIONS FROM THE FOUNDERS

 We’ve recently had a number of customers ask more about the people behind Hippy Feet, so we thought this would be a good opportunity to reflect on some of the things we’ve learned in the years since we started.

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#STEPOUTSIDE FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

August 23, 2018

#STEPOUTSIDE FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
The sun is shining bright, warming your skin. A calm breeze kisses the back of your neck, you can feel the soft blades of grass tickle in between your toes, sending shivers up your spine. In moments like these, it's nearly impossible not to smile. There is something about being exposed to nature that brings about an undeniably strong feeling of joy. There's no question that being outdoors has a positive effect on a person's mood, especially here in the midwest, where the brutal cold of our long winters forces its inhabitants to enjoy every bit of warm weather our climate has to offer. 
But just how effective is nature on mental health? New research shows that exposure to grass, flowers, trees, and wild animals may be a method for coping with anxiety and depression. What’s defined as ecotherapy - the idea of connecting with nature as a mechanism for a positive impact on your well being - isn’t a new idea, rather is one that has been around since the early 80’s. In 1984, Edward O. Wilson published a book, Biophilia, explaining his theory that our affiliation with nature is rooted in our biology and genetics. During the same time period, Japanese doctors began prescribing “forest bathing” as a method for optimal health. Up until now, there hasn’t been much factual based evidence to back up these theories. 
In April of 2016, a team at Harvard University conducted a study to show the relationship between exposure to nature and mortality rates. Out of the 100,000 female nurses studied over an 8 year period, they found that those living in the greenest areas had a 12% lower mortality rate compared to those that lived in the most industrial areas (vice.com). In an effort to explain these findings, the Harvard team collected information on diagnosed depression and use of antidepressant medication among the women they studied. They discovered that the nurses who were exposed to more green areas had lower levels of depression and improved mental health, which explained nearly 30% of the benefit from living near nature vs. in more built out and industrial areas. 
These results proved Wilson’s theory of biophilia to be true, according to Peter James the organizer of the Harvard study. “There’s a direct cognitive benefit and restorative quality of being in nature, that we’ve evolved in nature and enjoy being in nature,” says James, who goes on to explain that moving out of the city into the countryside isn’t the answer. With 84% of Americas living in urban areas, the study suggests that even the little things, such as exposure to tree-lined streets, or public parks, can have a significant benefit for mental health (vice.com)
This study isn’t the only research that Harvard has conducted to prove a correlation between nature and mental health. In 2010, they published findings from various studies that showed an outdoor lifestyle will lead to more exercise, increased levels of vitamin D, improved concentration, quicker healing times, and higher self-esteem, all of which lead to overall higher levels of happiness and improved mental health. 
So what does all of this mean for you? Its simple: get outside as much as possible. With mental health-related illnesses on the rise, we should make regular attempts to seek out the healing abilities that nature has to offer. it is important that we not only take care of our physical bodies but of our minds as well. 
While the weather still allows it, we encourage you to #StepOutside, soak up sun, and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. Go for a run, lay out at the beach, take a hike through the forest, anything activity that's an excuse to get out of the concrete jungle and into the great outdoors. Do this, and your mental health will thank you. 
Sources: 

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OUR EMPLOYMENT EFFORTS

July 12, 2018

OUR EMPLOYMENT EFFORTS
When Hippy Feet first launched, we operated around the buy one, give one model to donate socks to the homeless community.  It wasn't long before we realized that by donating socks, we were treating a symptom of homelessness (the symptom being that socks are among the most requested article of clothing at shelters). While having dry, warm, and healthy feet are pivotal to anyone's overall wellbeing, we determined we could, and needed, to do more than donate socks. 
Hippy Feet’s vision has since shifted, focusing on providing employment for young people affected by homelessness. The way that we do so is through a program we call “Pop-up Employment.” The Pop-Up Employment program works directly with non-profit partners to bring paid jobs conveniently to drop-in centers where youth are receiving services such as food, education, case management, and in some cases, transitional shelter. Bringing employment opportunities directly to the places where homeless youth seek support ensures a safe and healthy environment for our workers, as well as supervision and assistance from our non-profit partners themselves. With this employment model, we offer youth an hourly wage to package each pair of Hippy Feet socks and in the process, provide basic skills and job training. 
The reason we focus on youth (ages 16-25) for this program is that we find this age group offers the most potential and ability to grow. While we believe in creating equal opportunities, we see young people as being the greatest investment, as their age offers them the most promise for a positive future. 
Since beginning to offer weekly Pop-Up Employment opportunities at Youthlink a year ago, we have had the pleasure of working with approximately 30-35 different young people experiencing homelessness. In the process, we have learned a great deal about youth homelessness, the barriers that it creates, and significant benefits that having a job can provide an individual.
Together, shelter and employment are two key ingredients that positively influence the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. Without shelter, homeless youth may find difficulty in finding a job.  Limitations such as lack of a physical address or picture ID, unstable living conditions, no access to transportation, little-to-no work experience, and in some cases, a criminal record, can make it immensely difficult for anyone to find job. Without a job, they face difficulty finding shelter, due to restricted income. Shelter and employment are so closely interconnected; in many situations, one cannot work out without the other. 
Our Pop-Up Employment programs exist is to offer a limitations-free form of employment that will benefit young people in need. We will employ anybody who is willing to work, no background checks, no experience necessary. The path to full-time employment is a long one and we stand to provide the first steps. Not only do our youth workers leave with money in their pocket, but they leave with added experience, valuable work and life skills, a reference for their future forms of employment, and most importantly, confidence. 
In the nearly 600 hours of employment that Hippy Feet has provided in last year, we've learned that the path to sustainable, full-time employment is a tedious one, but with patience and continuous support, it works. Out of the 30-some employees that we have worked with to date, at least 10 of our youth workers have been moved into transitional housing.
Hippy Feet is incredibly proud of what our youth workers have been able to accomplish thus far and look forward to all the great things they will do in the future. We are excited to continue to employ and grow our existing employment structure so that we are constantly adding stepping stones to the path that leads to full-time and sustainable employment. 

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCKS

April 07, 2017

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCKS

Have you ever rolled your ankle? Or stubbed your toe? Or had athletes foot? If so, besides those moments of brief agitation, do you ever think about your feet?

We live in the world of consumers, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s debatably the greatest time in history to be alive, simply because anything you could ever want is right at your fingertips. The downside of that wonderful reality comes with a degree of removal from the importance of the things you own. You don’t think about the clothes on your back or the food in your fridge, but only because it’s always right there, which again, is not a bad thing. This is the ideal reality but unfortunately, it is not everyone's reality. In fact, over 500,000 people in the United States alone are living in a world where every single item in their possession retains an immense amount off pressure and value. Those 500,000+ people are the members of the homeless community.

The human spirit holds an immeasurable ability to overcome, but the human body is full of limitations. Those limitations start at our feet. They swell when we’re on them too long. They blister when we use them too much. They sweat and stink and embarrass us at parties. But without them, where would we be? Who would we be? We couldn’t dance or run or jump. Our mobility would be very limited. So, now that we agree feet are important, we can agree we need to take care of them, and since we have already taken care of our own, it’s time to start taking care of others. 

Socks are the most requested item at homeless shelters. Shockingly, they are also the least donated item at homeless shelters. Homeless people are on their feet a lot. Lack of transportation and a constant search for adequate shelter forces a life on their feet. Try to imagine one day running around without a pair of socks, much less a week or even months. These homeless individuals, especially in areas with like Minnesota that experience harsh winters and boiling summers, are dealing with a plethora of issues. When it’s hot, they get fungal infection. When it’s cold, the fear of frostbite and the potential of losing a foot altogether is always present.

So, what exactly does a sock do? Without a pair of socks, someone can experience severe frostbite within 30 minutes of exposure. A pair of socks can steeply diminish that potential simply by providing a layer of protection against the cold air and allowing for better circulation. When feet get sweaty, socks absorb moisture and lower the potential for infection. Socks also reduce friction between the foot and the ground, saving people from the dull agony of blisters. If you’re thinking “big deal, it’s just a blister.” consider this: a large portion of the homeless community is dealing with diabetes and protection from blisters is considered by some to be just as important as receiving medicine or insulin.

At Hippy Feet, we feel a sock means warmth and protection and consciousness about personal health, but what it represents is love. A pair of donated socks acknowledges that this human experience is a shared one. It means you care that someone will have one less thing to worry about. That’s what we care about; giving people the tools to take steps toward a better life, but you can’t step very far without a pair of socks.

by Emerson Korum

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