Hero Story

The MI-Lansing Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Inc was started in 2018 by volunteer Chapter President, Jarrod Olsen. Jarrod watched an internet program put on by Mike Rowe and was drawn to the mission of "No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town! and wanted to make Lansing one of the Our Towns. Two (2) months later, Jarrod was in Idaho training to become a member of the Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) Team.
To date, the MI-Lansing chapter has built and delivered over 500 fully furnished twin-size beds (that can be bunked) to kids aged 3-17 that are sleeping on the floor or in other uncomfortable situations.

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.

To our knowledge, there are painfully few options for guardians unable to provide a bed for their child--a typical household item taken for granted by many--so their children sleep on the floor every night. Most agencies, government, state, and non-profit, aim to assist with food, shelter, healthcare, and other essentials. However, very few, if any, entities provide beds for children. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a charitable organization built to scale, attracting resources from within the local community and repeatedly addressing one targeted specific problem. Through the tremendous efforts of volunteers and generous donations and grants, fully furnished (with new mattresses, sheets, pillows, and a blanket) twin beds (that can be bunked) are built and delivered to children, ages 3-17, who do not have the luxury of sleeping on one.

Not only does the MI-Lansing SHP Chapter 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 a one. SHP Build and Delivery Days facilitate community engagement by providing a fun and practical opportunity to volunteer their time.

The 2021 goal was to hold four (4) events and build/deliver 150 beds. Through sponsorships, in-kind donations, and many volunteers that goal was met and doubled. 360 beds were built and delivered to kids in the Lansing area - the last few beds were delivered on 12/24/2021.
The next event in April is scheduled at Redeemer Church in DeWitt and the goal is 40 beds.