Our Mission
Why we started ReShelter, and how we're trying to make it count.
Two Problems,
One Answer
ReShelter started as a school service project — but once we got into it, the problem felt too real to stop at the end of the year.
Homelessness in Switzerland is often invisible. Around 2,000 people are estimated to be sleeping rough across the country, and that number is probably an undercount. These aren't just statistics — local shelters in Zug and surrounding areas are consistently underfunded and under-resourced.
At the same time, festival season produces an enormous amount of waste. Thousands of tents get left behind every summer — not because they're broken, but because no one wants to carry a tent home on a train after three days of camping. Most end up in bins.
We saw a simple connection. Our goal isn't to be the biggest nonprofit in the country. It's to do something concrete: collect the tents, fix them, get them to shelters, and turn whatever's left into something that raises more money for the cause.
The Full Process
We Collect
We attend or follow up on festivals in the region and collect tents left behind. We also accept donations from individuals — if you have a tent you no longer use, we'll take it.
We Sort & Check
Every tent gets inspected. Can it keep someone warm and dry? If yes, it goes into the donation pile. If it's too damaged to be usable as shelter, it gets upcycled instead. Nothing gets thrown away.
We Donate
Repaired tents go directly to homeless shelters and partner organisations in Switzerland. We don't resell them — they go where they're needed, for free.
We Upcycle & Sell
Damaged tent material is cut and sewn into pencil cases, tote bags, and laptop sleeves. These are sold in our non-profit shop for €25 each, and every cent goes back to the shelters.
Start Local,
Think Bigger
Right now, we're based in Zug and focused on festivals and shelters in central Switzerland. We're a small team — two 16-year-olds and a social media manager — and we're building this one step at a time.
The long-term goal is to expand to more festivals and more shelter partnerships. If you're a shelter, a festival organiser, or someone who wants to help — we'd genuinely love to hear from you.
Meet the People
Behind ReShelter
Anthony Ottinger
Co-Founder
International School of Zug & Luzern
Age 16
Maurits Wessels
Co-Founder
International School of Zug & Luzern
Age 16
Marie-Louise Wessels
Social Media Manager
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Red Cross Volunteer · Age 20
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