When Makenzie Victor, Wraparound Supervisor, discovered how many of the families she was working with did not have a mattress or pillow to sleep on at night, she was determined to help. Makenzie works with families in our community-based counseling programs whose children are at risk of out-of-home placement. Families learn how to solve problems through individualized care plans from their own homes.

Makenzie contacted The Service Collaborative’s Beds for Buffalo, an organization comprised of volunteers who build twin beds for children in need in Western New York. Beds for Buffalo links up with other non-profits to ensure families also have mattresses, pillows, sheet sets and blankets. As a result, Beds for Buffalo donated and delivered 15 twin beds to several of the families Makenzie was working with around the holidays.

“The need for beds, especially in these programs, is very high,” emphasized Makenzie. “One of our families lost all their belongings to a severe house fire. Several other families do not have much to begin with and are starting over from being homeless. Securing beds for these families allows them to take the limited income they have to spend on essentials, such as food, transportation, housing and clothing.”

Five beds were delivered to one family, who at the time, didn’t have adequate sleeping arrangements and were all using a sectional couch as a bed. Upon receiving the beds, the seventeen-year-old boy was excited to not have to share a bed with his little brother anymore. The family assembled the beds on Christmas Eve. Mom said having their own beds to sleep in was a Christmas miracle.

“It puts into perspective – the things I personally take for granted, like having somewhere warm to sleep every night,” said Makenzie. “It’s really rewarding to see how much these families appreciate and are positively impacted by what we can do to help them.”

Thank you to our friends at The Service Collaborative’s Beds for Buffalo for your generous donation. Because of you, the families we serve are able to get a good night’s sleep in their new beds.