Causes: Philanthropy, Public Foundations
Mission: Sweet Dream Makers mission is to promote the health and wellness of children and families by providing, beds, bedding and essential furniture. SDM provides new beds at no cost to children and families sleeping on the floor, sharing beds or sleeping in unsafe, unsanitary conditions. Each child gets to choose their own bedding to go with their new bed.
Results: Since we began our mission in 2017, we have given out over 12,000 beds to local children and families in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
Target demographics: local children and families living in poverty
Geographic areas served: Palm Beach and Broward Counties
Programs: A Bed of My Own is our primary program which encompasses all of our bed programs, that provides a new bed and bedding to children and their caregivers who cannot afford to purchase a bed or bedding for themselves. Too many children are sharing unsuitable beds with siblings and/or adults. This arrangement adds to inadequate sleep for all. Others are sleeping on the sofa in the main living area further inhibiting proper sleep for a child. Individual attention is given to families living in tight quarters to provide proper beds for limited space such as bunk beds, trundle beds, toddler beds, cribs etc. Children are encouraged to choose the bedding of their choice. Every new bed comes with a mattress protector to protect against bed bugs and bedwetting as well as fresh new pillows. Our "Off the Floor and into a Bed" program focuses on the tragic and most severe cases we encounter each month. When Sweet Dream Makers began as a grassroots program of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton in 2012, we served a handful of local case managers. Then, 40 beds and bedding met their needs for up to six months. Today, we face a very different reality. Since becoming an independent 501(c)(3) in December 2016, the word is out. Targeted case managers representing 75+ regional organizations contact us daily on behalf of families in dire need of beds for their children. Instead of the 40 beds per month we budgeted for 2017, the very real need is over 300 beds per month. At an average price of $250 per bed and bedding set, 300 beds per month require a budget of $900,000 per year. Of those 300 beds, we estimate that 225 beds per month are extremely urgent. "Off the Floor and Into a Bed" focuses on getting our most extreme cases - those sleeping on a bare floor or in an otherwise hazardous, unsanitary condition into a clean, safe bed of their own. Our "Beginnings" Program started in 2017 as a program specifically aimed at providing a new crib to families without the financial means to provide a safe crib for their newborn. Families are referred to us through local social service agencies or directly from the maternity ward. We also provide essential furniture by picking up gently used essential household furniture including housewares, towels and bedding. We store all items in our local warehouse to be dispersed free of charge to the families we serve.
Mission: Sweet Dream Makers mission is to promote the health and wellness of children and families by providing, beds, bedding and essential furniture. SDM provides new beds at no cost to children and families sleeping on the floor, sharing beds or sleeping in unsafe, unsanitary conditions. Each child gets to choose their own bedding to go with their new bed.
Results: Since we began our mission in 2017, we have given out over 12,000 beds to local children and families in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
Target demographics: local children and families living in poverty
Geographic areas served: Palm Beach and Broward Counties
Programs: A Bed of My Own is our primary program which encompasses all of our bed programs, that provides a new bed and bedding to children and their caregivers who cannot afford to purchase a bed or bedding for themselves. Too many children are sharing unsuitable beds with siblings and/or adults. This arrangement adds to inadequate sleep for all. Others are sleeping on the sofa in the main living area further inhibiting proper sleep for a child. Individual attention is given to families living in tight quarters to provide proper beds for limited space such as bunk beds, trundle beds, toddler beds, cribs etc. Children are encouraged to choose the bedding of their choice. Every new bed comes with a mattress protector to protect against bed bugs and bedwetting as well as fresh new pillows. Our "Off the Floor and into a Bed" program focuses on the tragic and most severe cases we encounter each month. When Sweet Dream Makers began as a grassroots program of Temple Beth El of Boca Raton in 2012, we served a handful of local case managers. Then, 40 beds and bedding met their needs for up to six months. Today, we face a very different reality. Since becoming an independent 501(c)(3) in December 2016, the word is out. Targeted case managers representing 75+ regional organizations contact us daily on behalf of families in dire need of beds for their children. Instead of the 40 beds per month we budgeted for 2017, the very real need is over 300 beds per month. At an average price of $250 per bed and bedding set, 300 beds per month require a budget of $900,000 per year. Of those 300 beds, we estimate that 225 beds per month are extremely urgent. "Off the Floor and Into a Bed" focuses on getting our most extreme cases - those sleeping on a bare floor or in an otherwise hazardous, unsanitary condition into a clean, safe bed of their own. Our "Beginnings" Program started in 2017 as a program specifically aimed at providing a new crib to families without the financial means to provide a safe crib for their newborn. Families are referred to us through local social service agencies or directly from the maternity ward. We also provide essential furniture by picking up gently used essential household furniture including housewares, towels and bedding. We store all items in our local warehouse to be dispersed free of charge to the families we serve.
info@sweetdreammakers.org
55 Ne 5th Ave Suite #400, Boca Raton, FL 33432
561-571-7363
Philanthropy
Boca Raton
