Meet the Bridge It Bobbi Boot!
Here for a short time, but made for a lasting impact. For every Bridge It Bobbi Boot sold, we’ll be donating 20% of sales to help provide a safe home to young women at risk of homelessness, through local Melbourne non-profit Bridge It’s housing program.
Our brand new Bobbi Boot features a deep Jade Green rubber outer, contrasted by pops of bright Coral Red on the pull tabs, brand tag and butterfly logo. To make it feel more grounded, it’s finished with dark earthy green gusset and sole.
Apart from this being our first collaboration with Bridge It, this limited edition Bobbi Boot is also a design first for us! Cass, our Head of Product, tells us: “It's the first time we have done a contrast colour pull tab, but it felt playful and Merry so we went with it!”.
All the colours in this Bobbi Boot were inspired by Bridge It’s brand colours; “We wanted to highlight the vibrant orange that is their logo colour,” Cass says, “we went through other options but Carla’s [Bridge It’s CEO and Founder] reaction was ‘the green feels like the right colour for a welly’!".
For those wondering how it compares to our other green gumboots — this is for you! This limited edition boot is a step more towards teal than our much-loved Alpine Green Bobbi Boot, and more of an emerald green than the Aqua Bobbi Boot we farewelled this year.
It’s like it was always meant to be a butterfly!
Bridge It: Our Partners in Merriness
“I knew when starting Merry People, that I wanted to be a business that made a positive impact on society.” shares Dani.
From their first meeting, Dani knew that Carla, and her non-profit Bridge It, were the perfect partner for Merry People; Bridge It’s aim is to end homelessness in Australia, and we are here to make the world a merrier place.
We’re always keeping our ears (and soles!) to the ground for potential ‘partners-in-merriness’, and the positive impact Carla is having on at-risk young women in Victoria is one we want to see – and help – grow.
And from there? “Let’s give homelessness the boot” was born — a bold tagline, with a big goal.
Let's Give Homelessness the Boot
In Australia, at least 122,000 people experience homelessness any given night, with young people aged 12-24 making up 24% of this.
This is why every purchase of a Bridge It Bobbi Boot will contribute towards the transformative work Bridge It is doing to help provide a safe home to young women at risk of homelessness through its housing program, the Cocoon.
The Cocoon program was created to bridge the critical gap between transitioning from residential and foster care to independent living, by providing young women a place to stay, recover, develop life skills, and prepare for long-term housing.
At the Cocoon, Carla and her team provide a range of comprehensive support services for the young residents:
- Lived Experience Mentoring: Residents receive personalised mentorship, both one-on-one and in groups, from those who have experienced similar challenges.
- Life and Living Skills Development: Offering sessions to help residents develop essential skills like cooking, budgeting, and more, empowering them to live independently.
- Bridge It Crew: A dedicated team is onsite for a minimum of six hours daily, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), offering consistent support and guidance.
- Therapies and Wellness Activities: Residents have access to wellness activities such as massage, acupuncture, naturopathy, music, art, and even a local gym to support their holistic well-being.
- Community Experiences: Fostering a sense of community through events like birthday celebrations, BBQs, movie nights, and meals out, helping residents build social connections.
- Education & Employment Pathways Program: Providing support to help residents access meaningful education and employment opportunities, including scholarships.
- Case Management and Partner Services: The Bridge It case management team works closely with partner organisations to offer a range of additional services tailored to each resident's needs.
Help us continue the transformative work of Carla and her team, and together, give homelessness the boot.
Did you know? Homelessness Week is right around the corner (5th August - 11th August) so it’s the perfect time to pick up a pair to wear in support of Bridge It’s mission. Shop the limited edition Merry People x Bridge It Bobbi Boot (or give it as a gift for your friends and family!).
