YWCA's Good Night, Sleep Tight' Project Exceeds Sealy's Dreams

Furniture World Magazine

The ' Good Night, Sleep Tight' project conducted by the YWCA of the Central Carolinas has received excellent response from the Charlotte community and from some national sources. The YWCA initiated the project to secure at least 70 new twin-sized beds for the Women in Transition (WIT) program, which provides affordable and safe transitional housing for homeless or at-risk women. "Community response to 'Good Night, Sleep Tight' literally exceeded our dreams," said Selma Fox, volunteer chairperson for the project that began less than two months ago. She said the YWCA has exceeded their goal of 70 new beds. "We have received enough mattresses and box springs to completely replace the old, worn out ones," Fox said, adding that the YWCA is still actively seeking bed frames and headboards. She said the old frames are too rickety and unstable to support the new mattresses. The project owes a great deal of its success to Sealy, the North Carolina mattress company, and The Tom Joyner Morning Show, a national syndicated radio talk show. According to Fox, The Tom Joyner Morning Show "jumpstarted" the 'Good Night, Sleep Tight' project on live radio. The show donated eight beds and prompted listeners to make donations as well. Several local churches including Myers Park Presbyterian, First Baptist Church-West, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and St. Luke's Lutheran have supported the project. The project's biggest triumph came when Sealy donated 59 mattresses and box springs. "This generous contribution will be making a difference for many, many years," said Kirsten Sikkelee, Director of the Women in Transition program. "I am thrilled that Sealy was able to assist the Charlotte YWCA in meeting their goal to secure beds for the Women in Transition program," says Ron Jones, CEO/Chairman of Sealy, Inc. "Getting a good night's rest on a Sealy mattress can truly help these women have a more productive day, which is extremely important as they work to transition into a better life." The Women in Transition program of the YWCA of the Central Carolinas provides affordable and safe transitional housing for homeless or at-risk women, as well as the important case management services and counseling services to help the women get their lives back on track. Some of the women enter the program from emergency or domestic violence shelters, substance abuse treatment programs, or mental health facilities. "The women come to the YWCA because they have no other place to go, often feeling hopeless and even helpless," Sikkelee said. The Women in Transition program can house 64 residents at one time. Approximately 150 women are served annually, with the length of stay that varies from several weeks to a maximum of two years. The ultimate goal is for residents to reclaim independence within a two-year period. YWCA staff and volunteers encourage and coach participants to attain self-sufficiency and permanent employment, which can lead to a greater sense of self-worth and a more enriching and satisfying life. Sealy, Inc., is the largest manufacturer of bedding in North America, serving more than 7,000 retail outlets from 25 plants in 18 states. Sealy, Inc., produces and sells a full range of mattresses under the Sealy, Sealy Posturepedic, Sealy Posturepedic Crown Jewel, and Stearns & Foster brand names. More information on Sealy, Inc., can be accessed at http://www.sealy.com.