Kevlar blankets? Artist's creation for Indy's homeless residents could save lives

INDIANAPOLIS — As an artist, Philip Campbell’s mission was to create comfort.

As an employee Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital, it became providing care.

Now, Campbell merges those worlds to help the population he serves.

With a 3-inch needle and pliers, Campbell started hand stitching stab, water and animal bite-resistant blankets for Indianapolis residents without a permanent home. The 5x6 quilts are lined with two layers of Kevlar on one side while boasting a 1,600-thread count on the other to remain pillowy soft.

“For me, this comes down to providing strength and hope for the person who wears it,” Campbell said.

He drew inspiration from his past quilt-making work. A friend eventually recommended he give his pieces away, inspired by the children's book "The Quiltmaker's Gift," a story about a woman who gave her quilts to the needy. As he pondered the idea, he realized he could help people.

“I was driving around the city and saw blankets in soaking wet piles on the streets,” he said. The images sparked the idea that his work could offer safety and warmth.

About 90% of the patients Campbell sees as a supervisor of an emergency room team that helps patients with substance use disorder connect to services are unhoused. Campbell is also 15 years sober and knows that sometimes a little support can be life-changing.

Point in Time report:Homelessness down 8% last year

He created six prototypes that were recently donated to Horizon House, one of the city’s shelters that helps homeless people.

Niki Wattson, a street outreach manager for Horizon House, praised the blankets for making people feel safer against the elements, violence and animals. It's often forgotten, she said, how vulnerable the population is.

“They are à la carting their life every second,” she said.

Between 2016-23, homicides among people experiencing homelessness increased by 133%, according to a report by the Marion County Coroner's Office.

Further, more than 1,600 last year were without permanent housing, according to an annual count conducted in January.

Campbell said he hopes to secure more funding and produce the blankets on a wider scale.

Contact reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com