The Problem
Homelessness is on the rise. It is estimated that one in 500 Americans experienced homelessness in January of 2023 as noted from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual report. Homeless people experience multiple problems with sleep being one of them. Problems with sleep can lead to issues with mental health including depression, anxiety, confusion and overall emotional well-being. It can also have impacts on their medical problems. Sleep deprivation is often due to factors such as noisy and uncomfortable sleeping environments. Homeless people often lack simple resources like having a pillow to lay their heads on, impacting their sleep. Homeless individuals are often limited to how many belongings they have due to space limitations in their bags or what they can carry. They don't usually have room for a bulky pillow.
Our Plan
The "Pillow Project" will create a pattern that will use used t-shits can end up being sewn into portable pillows that can be clipped onto their bags. The project will develop a flyer and website that will also provide education to homeless individuals on the importance of sleep. Using resources wisely, I will be using donations from the community such as fabric, pillow stuffing (or memory foam). I will be assembling a team of both younger individuals and peers from various backgrounds. Selecting them through local schools, communities and scouts to make and distribute the pillows. I will be networking in our surrounding communities (church, civic groups & other troops) as well as nationally through online interest groups. For those assisting, I will be creating a Patch program for their participation. The pillows created will be distributed through local homeless programs.
