Slumberland Furniture launches “My Own Pillow” campaign to benefit local foster children

 Slumberland Furniture launches “My Own Pillow” campaign to benefit local foster children

   May is National Foster Care Month and Jim Paul of Slumberland Furniture is helping out with the “My Own Pillow” program.
    Many times when children are removed from their homes due to abuse and/or neglect, they are unable to bring any of their own personal items with them. One foster child said, “I’d just like to have my own pillow.”
    “When I heard a young foster child say that, I couldn’t fight back the tears,” stated Lorraine Day, a volunteer with MYOI (Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative), a program within the Department of Human Services.
    With that heart-wrenching comment came the “My Own Pillow” campaign.  Lorraine approached Jim Paul, owner of Benton Harbor Slumberland Furniture about the idea to raise funds to get every foster child their own pillow.
    Slumberland Furniture has 124 stores in 12 states and has long been known for its generosity to those in need, this local need was a perfect fit for the area’s leading bedding experts.
    You can help ease a child’s transition from being moved from home to home, by donating money at Slumberland Furniture 756 E. Napier Benton Harbor, MI during the month of May.  The money donated will go toward the purchase of pillows.  For every three donated pillows, Slumberland Furniture will donate another.  In addition, for every six pillows sold during the month, they will be donating an extra pillow.  The goal is to get 100 new pillows for these kids, however, the need is much greater.  In Berrien County at any given moment there are approximately 350-400 children and youth in foster care, according to Paula Laquerre of DHS.
    You can also donate online at www.myoifund.org via PayPal, (please specify that funds are to be directed to Berrien County “My Own Pillow” campaign.)  Those donating at the store, however, will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a $500 gift card from Slumberland Furniture.
    Other groups are helping out too.  The Girl Scouts Troop 30567 is making custom pillow cases to donate to the cause.
    As of April 24, 2014 the state of Michigan had 12,984 children of all ages in foster care.
    Each year in the United States, more than 30,000 young people age out of the foster care system.  The outcomes for this population are troubling.  More 20 percent will become homeless after age 18.  Just over half will graduate from high school by age 19 (compared to 87% nationally). Fewer than 3% will earn a college degree by age 25 (compared to 28% of their same age peers). One in four will be incarcerated within two years of leaving the foster care system.
    In Michigan, the Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Act (YAVFC) is helping turn those statistics around.
    Since the new law was passed in 2011, more than 1,000 have taken the voluntary foster care extension to age 21. These young adults are getting added assistance in independent living, job training and jump starting their journey to gaining a higher education.
    If you have interest in becoming a foster parent, please contact Heather Hoffman at (269) 615-4801 for more information.
    To help with the My Own Pillow cause, visit Slumberland Furniture at 756 E. Napier Benton Harbor.