Bed Poverty has affected a number of Arkansas families. Over the past year, Arkansas Family Alliance has continued our work in uniting the community to support children and families by purchasing, storing, and distributing over 250 beds to children and families in crisis in our community.

Bed Poverty is the inability to access, buy, or maintain a bed. Research provided by the National Institute of Health shows that children who were not consistently receiving proper rest experienced an increase in mental health issues such as impulsivity, stress, depression, anxiety, and aggression. The same children showed impaired cognitive functions such as decision making, conflict solving, working memory, and learning. Every child deserves the ability to function properly so their bodies and minds can grow in the way they were designed.

A home furnished with an adequate number of beds per person provides hope, comfort, and stability to a family in crisis. We are not just providing children with mattresses; we are giving them a place to dream. Arkansas Family Alliance has launched our new initiative, Dream Team, to allow us to focus on our mission of getting every child in Arkansas off of the floor.