Our Social Justice Partners Blog

Growing up Catholic and attending Catholic schools, led Michael J. Allen towards a path of service at a young age.  Through a service-learning program at Benilde-St. Margaret, Michael found himself volunteering with Sharing and Caring Hands.  This early work instilled the importance of giving back and steered Michael later in life as a housing case manager for the homeless.  When his father died in 2014, Michael wanted to honor him.  With no real money to his name, Michael received $200.00 for Christmas that year.  As a housing case manager, he realized a crucial need for beds for children entering stable housing.  He took that Christmas money and hired an attorney to form a non-profit called Boom Boom’s Bed’s, named after his father Michael “Boom Boom” Allen.  That first year, 14 beds were delivered to children and it laid the foundation for My Very Own Bed.  My Very Own Bed’s mission is to provide beds to children moving into stable housing.

As a family moves into stable housing, items such as beds may not be available for each member.  Some children sleep on couches, in beds with other family members and even on the floor.  Studies on sleep health in children find that the amount and quality of sleep children receive can affect safety, alertness, behavior and learning abilities.  When a child or teenager is in stable housing and can sleep in a bed, this improves the person’s development. Not only does a child or teenager receive a brand-new twin bed from My Very Own Bed, they also a Dream Kit that includes sheets, a pillow, mattress pad, a book and a stuffed animal.  And the staff at My Very Own Bed sends a survey to every family they have been able to help.  Improved sleep and prolonged sleep, along with improved behaviors at home and school habits are reported.  Most of all, families express gratitude for the help from My Very Own Bed.  Their website is rich with testimonies from families that have been helped and the 2019 Impact Statement speaks volumes to the amazing work that My Very Own Bed has been providing. 

My Very Own Bed has been able to increase the number of families they can help.  In 2020, they expect to provide beds and Dream Kits to over 750 children!  My Very Own Bed delivers over 60% of the beds to children in Minneapolis and St. Paul with the remaining percentage in the surrounding suburbs. 
Michael and My Very Own Bed are always heroes for the security of a bed that they provide children entering stable housing.  Yet, they are even larger heroes for continuing to reach as many children as they possibly can during these demanding times.  With the unprecedented challenges that COVID-19 has generated for our world and community, My Very Own Bed has been impacted.  Essential needs such as beds and linens along with remain during this pandemic and referrals for beds continue to grow. 
The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t halted the need for donations however.  As businesses and local groups transitioned to working remotely, this has resulted in a negative impact on donation drives.  Currently, My Very Own Bed is experiencing depleted inventory to extremely low levels.  MVOB needs help restocking their shelves with new twin-sized bedding sheets, blankets and pillows. 

You can help! There are several ways to donate.  You can order items from one of four on-line registries Amazon Wishlist, Walmart Registry for Good , Macy’s Registry or Target Registry.  You can make a monetary donation at their website.  You can volunteer to deliver and set up beds on Friday mornings. Or you can purchase new bedding items and drop them off at their home office at 34 13th Ave NE in Minneapolis.  We recommend contacting their office to ensure someone is there to meet you - info@myveryownbed.org. Thanks for giving children the gift (dignity) of a good night's sleep. This positively impacts so many other areas of their life.
 

Rooted in the 7 Tenents of Catholic Social Teaching, the Our Lady of Lourdes Justice and Charity Committee seeks to engage with and promote the work of our local partners in social justice work. In this section, parishoners and community members will find resources and narratives to increase their understanding of social justice and advocacy, as well as information about partners who are doing this work on a local, national, and international level. The Time, Talent, and Treasure section at the end of each posting offers different levels of meaningful opportunities for Lourdes parishioners and community members to engage with our social justice partners.