Statements

Mission

No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town!

Background

Luke Mickelson founded Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. (SHP) in 2012 to fulfill a specific mission-to see that "No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town!"

In February 2018, the Facebook program "Returning the Favor" hosted by Mike Rowe featured SHP. Since the episode aired, over 4,000 requests to start chapters have flooded in. SHP responded to those requests and has since organized 290 new chapters across the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, operated by volunteer chapter presidents.

Like many other charities, (SHP) started in a garage. In December 2012, Luke learned of a family in his hometown whose children slept on the floor without beds. It was unfathomable to him, and he knew he had to do something about it. So Luke assembled a group of friends and family, and the first sets of bunk beds were built and given to this family in need. This simple act of kindness and service developed into something more; with wood leftover, another thought came "Who else could benefit from a set of bunk beds?"

After building another set of bunks built, he posted the beds "free to a family in need" on Facebook, which sparked an unexpected response. What was thought would be a handful of requests from families in need of a bed for their kiddos also turned into a litany of local people eager to help and volunteer. The generosity of these volunteers was so surprising that it was no longer a search for one who needed a bed but a question of how many beds he could provide. From there, the idea grew into reality, and the word started to spread; Luke's friends and friends of friends wanted to be involved in "their towns," and chapters began forming, totaling nine by December 2017.

Impact

At Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc. (SHP), we believe that a bed is necessary for a child's proper physical, emotional, and mental support. When we realized that the need for beds went far beyond our neighborhoods in Southern Idaho, we developed and executed a strategy for becoming a national organization with the capability and organizational structure to provide solutions to a national problem.

SHP is a charitable organization built to scale, attracting resources from within our communities and addressing one targeted specific problem repeatedly. Through tremendous efforts of SHP volunteers and generous donations, beds are built and delivered to children that do not have the luxury of sleeping on one. We openly recognize we don't have all the answers regarding the best way to help children in need. But what we do know is how to organize groups of volunteers in our communities to build and deliver beds to children in need; we do incredibly well.

Although no formal studies exist to provide an actual number, historical SHP delivery data collected indicates conservatively that approximately 3% of a community's overall population represents children ages 3-17 experiencing bedlessness. A silent epidemic is emerging, and the number of children in need far exceeds the availability of beds for the underprivileged.

Needs

What makes SHP Chapters unique is that they not only deliver these beds, fully furnished (frames, mattresses, sheets, pillows, and blankets) to children in need; they partner with local organizations, churches, businesses, and community members to build them! Chapter leadership and their core team show volunteers how to take a pile of wood, and with drills, sanders, and saws, construct twin bed frame components. SHP's simple design is easy to follow and takes no woodworking experience to learn. During SHP community "Build Days," volunteers learn about the organization the need in "their town" and take pride as they transform piles of lumber into twin bed frames. Following each build day, volunteers deliver the beds to local families that requested/qualified for one. SHP Build and Delivery Days facilitate community engagement by providing a fun and practical opportunity to volunteer their time.

Funding support will enable the Chapter to purchase the necessary supplies and materials to provide fully furnished twin beds for bedless children. At an approximate cost of $250 per bed, no amount too large or small would not be put to good use in furnishing a bed for a child in need. Donations of bedding, pillows, comforters, and sponsorships are needed and appreciated.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Human Services  - Children's and Youth Services
Secondary Category:	Housing, Shelter  - Housing & Shelter NEC
Tertiary Category:	-

Areas Served

Williamson and Putnam Counties

TN - Williamson

TN - Putnam