At Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), we believe service is about much more than constructing beds for kids in need. Our mission of NO KID SLEEPS ON THE FLOOR IN OUR TOWN! extends to building communities, transforming lives, and creating opportunities for personal growth and learning. Every bed we build demonstrates the power of service and the incredible potential that emerges when people come together with a shared purpose.
A Community of Learning and Empowerment
When volunteers first arrive at an SHP build site, they might feel uncertain about their woodworking skills. But that’s the beauty of our organization – we welcome everyone, regardless of their experience level. Whether you’ve never picked up a power tool or you’re a seasoned carpenter, there’s a place for you at our events.
Our bed builds are more than just construction projects; they’re dynamic learning environments. Experienced volunteers often step into mentorship roles, patiently guiding newcomers through the process of measuring, cutting, sanding, branding and staining bed frames. These moments of skill transfer are where the magic happens – transforming individual acts of service into a collaborative journey of education and empowerment.
Skills Beyond the Workbench
Volunteers quickly discover that the skills they learn extend far beyond woodworking. They develop teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and confidence. A first-time volunteer might start the day feeling nervous about using a drill, but by the end of the event, they’re helping others and feeling a sense of accomplishment that reaches well beyond the physical bed they’ve helped create.
Powerful Partnerships, Lasting Impact
Our mission is amplified by incredible community and corporate sponsors who share our vision of skill development and community empowerment. She Built This City is dedicated to increasing and enhancing trade skills education and opportunities for women and youth across the United States, providing resources, tools, and training that help individuals discover and develop valuable vocational skills.
In a groundbreaking development, She Built This City has officially partnered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to launch the FIRST EVER SHP chapter led by women in the trades. Based in Northeast Charlotte, North Carolina, this historic chapter represents a significant milestone in our organization’s growth and in the advancement of women in traditionally male-dominated trades. This partnership not only expands our reach in serving children in need but also creates powerful opportunities for women to develop and showcase their skills in construction and woodworking while mentoring others.
We’re also proud of our national partnership with Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE). Since July 2021, this collaboration has created meaningful opportunities for fraternity brothers to make tangible differences in their local communities. As the SAE organization notes, “Sleep In Heavenly Peace gives brothers a fun way to make an impact to your local community. The hands-on service opportunities available through Sleep in Heavenly Peace allow brothers to see the fruits of their labor – there is no better feeling than the excitement a child has when their new bed is delivered.”
The partnership began with the Colorado Phi Chapter, which has been volunteering with SHP since 2018, building beds, donating bedding, and delivering beds in the Colorado Springs area. What makes this partnership particularly powerful is that all beds stay within the local community, creating a truly local impact that benefits not just individual children but also supports schools, local organizations, and the entire community.
The Ripple Effect of a Good Night’s Sleep
Every bed built by an SHP volunteer represents comfort, security, and hope for a child who may have been sleeping on the floor. The impact of a good night’s sleep cannot be overstated – it affects a child’s health, education, and overall well-being.
Everyone Has a Role to Play
We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming environment where every volunteer can contribute. Not comfortable with power tools? We have roles for sorting, measuring, staining, quality checking, community outreach and bed deliveries. Our builds are designed to be accessible to all, ensuring everyone can be part of our mission to end child bedlessness.
Growing Together, Serving Together
As our volunteers learn and grow, so do our communities. Each bed represents a collective effort, a shared commitment to making a difference. We’re building stronger, more compassionate communities, one bed at a time.