Community service is ‘Off the Hook’: BU’s humanitarian craft group becomes official

Crafting and community service collide in a new philanthropic club at BU called “Off the Hook,” where students crochet hand warmers to donate to the homeless.

Formerly a non-University-affiliated organization called “Hookers for the Homeless,” the crocheting club officially moved its humanitarian efforts on campus this semester.

When junior Emmanuella Erhunmwunsee moved from the Middle East to Boston for school, she said she was shocked to see the severity of homelessness, and she knew she wanted to take action.

“I noticed that a lot of people didn’t really care,” she said. “That was a really weird culture shock to me.”

During winter break of her freshman year, Erhunmwunsee crocheted her first hand warmers. She appreciated how easy the activity was and how practical the result, which inspired her to invite others to join her.

“I wanted community service to be more accessible to people, because a lot of people only have one view of what community service is supposed to look like,” Erhunmwunsee said. “I want people to see that you can still enjoy yourself while helping other people out.”

Off the Hook comes in the wake of a rising housing crisis in Boston and the country at large. According to the City of Boston’s 43rd Annual Homeless Census, homelessness increased by 17.2% from 2022 to 2023, resulting in over 5,000 people on the streets or in emergency housing.

Junior Christina Torres said she has observed homelessness around campus, which is what motivated her to join “Off the Hook.”

“​​I’ve never done crocheting before, but I am excited for the program because of the cause, and also that I get to adopt a new hobby,” Torres said. “It does seem like this is going to genuinely impact the community in Boston.”

At first, Erhunmwunsee was independent in her efforts to get the club started, which took her around Boston — securing materials, marketing the club and making posters.

Now, Off the Hook has a full executive board, consisting of active members from the club last semester, creating a basis for a community already interested in furthering the cause.

At its very first meeting, Off the Hook had approximately 30 students in attendance, according to Erhunmwunsee. But, at the introductory meeting on Sept. 10, more than 100 students showed up.

Sophomore Annamarie Magana, the club’s vice president, said “Off the Hook” made more than 20 hand warmers last semester and taught many people who had never crocheted before.

Magana was the president of a similar club in high school that crafted for the homeless. She joined “Off the Hook” after seeing the poster, which read, “Want to be a Hooker?”

“I saw it as a way to kind of continue serving that community and also build a community and find other people with similar interests,” Magana said. She emphasized “Off the Hook’s” commitment creating a “safe space” for its members; all members need to do is “come here and be yourself.”

Erhumnwunsee also received guidance from Orpheo Speer, director of BU’s Community Service Center, who helped her find crafting materials and a space to meet.

“He told me to aim for the moon,” she said.

Now that the club is officially recognized by BU, the club has received more exposure to the student body, especially through tabling at SPLASH on Sept. 7.

“I’m a little emotional about it,” Erhunmwunsee said. “I didn’t expect so many people to want to come and sit and crochet with me.”