A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Safety Net Alliance’s Build a Dream means 100 beds to be made, delivered to needy families this weekend


On Saturday, March 18, Build A Dream Northern Kentucky will build and deliver 100 beds for 100 low-income kids. This is the second year the event is taking place.

Build A Dream is a project of the Safety Net Alliance of Northern Kentucky to shine a light on the hundreds of children in our community sleeping on floors and to increase awareness of the need for bed donations. 
 
The beds will be built from pre-cut lumber, and come with new, twin-sized mattresses and bedding.

The bed-build will take place at Gateway Community and Technical College’s Urban Metro Campus in the Two Rivers gym in Covington, 525 Scott Street, on Saturday March 18 from 9 a.m. to noon.

More than 90 volunteers working in teams will help build the beds. Volunteer teams will include Eagle Scouts and representatives from Aetna, Humana CareSource, St. Elizabeth Physicians, UPS, People Working Cooperatively and Turfway Park.

Applications for the beds were taken from low-income families in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties through Northern Kentucky social service agencies working with those families. Families with children ages 4-17 were eligible to apply. 100 bed winners were then chosen by lottery.

The beds will be delivered to families compete with a mattress, sheets, pillow, comforter, book, and hygiene items.

“The need for beds in our region is huge, and it has been heartbreaking to hear stories about kids sleeping on the floor. A good sleeping arrangement is necessary for kids to be able to excel academically as well as personally,” said Andy Brunsman, executive director of Be Concerned. “The work of the Safety Net Alliance and the Build A Dream crew has not only shed light on the issue of sleeping arrangements for our local kids, but created a solution which will resolve the issue for 100 families. It is great to see the Safety Net Alliance not only noting a need, but doing something about it to help our families.”

This project was possible by donations and in-kind support from:

 Gateway Community & Technical College
 Lowe’s
 BB&T
 Duke Energy
 The Butler Foundation
 R.C. Durr Foundation
 Passport Health Plan
 Aetna
 Coventry Cares
 Humana CareSource
 Citizens Bank of Northern Kentucky
 I.C.W.U.C. Center for Worker Safety and Health Education
 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medicaid

The SNA of Northern Kentucky is a ground breaking collaborative composed of social service agencies, government entities, faith-based institutions, educational institutions, non-profits, and funders. SNA’s mission is to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of safety net services provided to Northern Kentuckians in need. Member SNA agencies include Be Concerned, Brighton Center, Northern Kentucky Area Development Dirstrict, Center for Independent Living Options, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission, Center for Independent Living Options, People Working Cooperatively, Kenton County Schools, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and Gateway Community & Technical College.

See www.nkysafetynet.org for more information.


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