Austin Rivers, like many others who took up knitting as a new pastime during the pandemic, found solace in it. However, when he discovered that his hats and scarves could also benefit his queer community in New York City, his craft took on a greater significance.
Up to 40% of the nation’s homeless youth are LGBTQ youth, therefore he was especially keen to assist them.
“I can knit, but I don’t have the ability to build a shelter or the network or connections to help in that way,” Rivers remarked. I also made the decision to start knitting and start this nonprofit since I knew how cold New York City is.
550 knitters across the country support Knit the Rainbow, which was established in April 2020, by donating their handmade clothing to Rivers and his staff. Through neighborhood NGOs in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and Detroit, the charity has so far given more than 25,000 clothing items to LGBTQ youngsters.
Volunteers unpack hundreds of outfits received by knitters nationwide while seated in Rivers’ apartment on Days of Action. During the group’s distribution days, the products are subsequently put in boxes and labeled with their destination.
Many of the deliveries are made by Rivers and his staff in New York.
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