Sweet Dream Makers Provides New Beds and Bedding to Children and Families in Need
Its Impactful “A Bed of My Own®” Program Ensures Palm Beach County Children Have a Safe, Clean Place to Sleep
BOCA RATON, FL [November 8, 2023] – Sweet Dream Makers, an organization dedicated to helping children reach their full potential by ensuring access to basic comfort and security needs, has announced a $100,000 grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. This critical grant funding will support the “A Bed of My Own®” program, which provides youth, families, and vulnerable populations in South Florida with brand-new quality beds and bedding at no cost.
For many families, an unexpected job loss or just one missed paycheck can have an immediate impact on their basic needs. Bedlessness, the lack of a safe and healthy place to sleep in the home, takes the biggest toll on children who must share a bed with their parents or siblings, sleep in a sleeping bag, or sleep on the floor.
“A Bed of My Own®” provides essential resources for the South Florida region, where nearly half of the working population is living in or near poverty, according to the Florida ALICE Report. Propelled by community-based referrals from nonprofit organizations, health systems, and first responders, the program delivered more than 4,000 beds in 2022 and is expected to provide 6,000 beds to families in need this year. The generous grant from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation will help “A Bed of My Own®” reach even more South Florida households and families in need.
“The number of children sleeping on the floor, sharing beds, or sleeping on unsafe, unsanitary beds is staggering. Thankfully, the impact of Sweet Dream Makers’ “A Bed of My Own®” program is far-reaching, as evidenced by improved grades, homework habits, and behavior,” said Suzanne Broad, Founder and Executive Director of Sweet Dream Makers.
“A good night’s sleep is so important for children’s development, behavioral health, and future,” said Alex Cohen, President of the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. “We are proud to support Sweet Dream Makers’ efforts throughout South Florida to provide children in need with a bed of their own and a safe, comfortable place to sleep every night.”
About Sweet Dream Makers:
Sweet Dream Makers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is focused on improving the health and well-being of children and families by providing beds, bedding, and essential furniture at no cost. Through the A Bed of My Own® program, Sweet Dream Makers partners with more than one hundred organizations across the South Florida region to eliminate bedlessness in our community. Since 2017, Sweet Dream Makers has provided nearly 20,000 beds with bedding to families living in South Florida. For more information about Sweet Dream Makers and the “A Bed of My Own®” program, visit www.sweetdreammakers.org.
About the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation:
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is committed to inspiring philanthropy and community service by creating awareness, offering guidance, and leading by example to show the world what giving can do. The Foundation’s grants support nonprofit organizations based in the United States that either help people in need or solve complex problems. The Foundation also spearheads grassroots campaigns to encourage others to give. As of December 2022, the Foundation has provided over $1 billion of charitable support. For more information, visit www.steveandalex.org.
Press Contacts:
• Suzanne Broad, Founder/Executive Director, Sweet Dream Makers, suzyb@sweetdreammakers.org
• Beth Gorgone, Communications Manager, Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, pressinquiries@steveandalex.org