Every Shelter Inc

Every Shelter Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to designing and delivering life-saving shelter products for refugees. The organization is committed to improving the health, comfort, and resilience of displaced persons living in camps or camp-like settings.

History and Founding

The origins of Every Shelter date back to when its founders, Scott Austin Key and Sam Brisendine, were graduate students at Rice University. They began working on shelter design projects through the Rice Building Workshop, which eventually led to the creation of the Emergency Floor, their first major innovation. This project received support from USAID in 2016 to be tested in Lebanon, where it showed positive impacts on refugees' health and well-being. The organization was officially formed in 2018 with the goal of employing collaborative design and co-creation to serve refugees more effectively.

Mission and Work

Every Shelter's mission is to build localized refugee-aid ecosystems that are centered around the needs, preferences, and aspirations of refugees. They aim to empower refugees by creating shelter solutions that are designed with and for them, promoting a sense of home and belonging as key components of well-being. Their approach includes developing innovative shelter technologies such as the Emergency Floor and Bashe Bora tarp, products designed to improve living conditions in refugee camps. Every Shelter seeks to revolutionize the refugee aid system by promoting local production, healthy markets, and refugee-led initiatives.

Impact

Currently, the organization has served nearly 9,000 refugees across Lebanon, Bangladesh, and Uganda. Their interventions have reported significant improvements in well-being and health outcomes, including an average of 86% improvement in reported well-being and a 46% reduction in diarrhea among beneficiaries.

Governance and Finance

As a nonprofit, Every Shelter is led by a board of directors headed by CEO Scott Key. The organization is financially supported primarily through contributions, with significant annual funding reported in recent years. Key employees include the CEO and other directors, while the organization continues to grow its staff and volunteer network.

Locations and Partnerships

Every Shelter operates globally with a presence in countries where refugees are heavily affected, including Uganda. They maintain partnerships with aid agencies and engage directly with displaced populations to understand and address their needs effectively.